Dear Readers,
My name is Marija. European Solidarity Corps volunteer in Udruga Amazonas. I will be your nonviolence writer here.
In order to create a peaceful world, we must learn to practice nonviolence with one another. Let’s start with the simple ways. By reading we can learn more and practice it in our everyday life.
The first topic is bullying. How bullying makes us feel and how we try to find ways to stand up for ourselves.
There are different types of bullying:
- Physical bullying (includes hitting, kicking, tripping, pinching, and pushing or damaging property)
- Verbal bullying (includes name calling, insults, teasing, intimidation, homophobic or racist remarks, or verbal abuse)
- Social bullying sometimes referred to as covert bullying (is often harder to recognize and can be carried out behind the bullied person’s back. It is designed to harm someone’s social reputation/or cause humiliation)
We are not always aware that we are victims of bullying. Thinking that we have to go through injustice and insults in order to mature as persons holds us back from researching our feelings. But sometimes we come to situations that are more difficult than our abilities to deal with them. So we kneel to them because we think we are not strong enough to resist. And then the problem begins.
Story to tell
I was not aware that in my school years I was a victim of bullying. I realized that later.
I was not a person who was easily accepted by my classmates.
I was ridiculed and criticized whenever I shared my thoughts on any subject. And then I didn’t even get a chance to share my thoughts.
They said that I was living in some unreal world because I did not share the same opinion as them.
Over time, it made me withdraw as a person, so I spent the school breaks alone.
In that period when we are all “fragile” in some way, disparagement and condemnation are very difficult feelings to face.
I often asked my parents why I can’t be accepted and understood. Why are my actions and thoughts so different from theirs? Where did I do wrong?
Support maters
Support of my parents was very influential during my difficult period of maturation and period of struggling to regain my voice.
I started reading a lot of books, listening to music and writing. I found friends in the books I’ve read and in the songs I’ve listened to.
I found people who went through the same or similar situations, I read how they overcame all those situations.
Their stories, made me feel not alone. But still, that wasn’t enough for me.
I wanted to share it. I wanted the freedom to express myself without fear of being judged.
My initial way of reclaiming my voice was in literature classes. When we were working on books with our teacher and when everyone had the right to express their opinion without being interrupted and belittled.
I used that opportunity and by expressing my thoughts on the book stories I was more heard and understood.
As I was growing older I opened up more as a person, I met friends with whom I can talk freely.
Everyone has different ways and methods to get out of their closed box. In my case, these things helped me a lot.
Note to readers
In whatever bullying situation you may find yourself in, the most important thing is to not give up on looking for ways that can help you get through that period. Ask for help or an opinion from people you trust.
There is always hope. And it is easier if you try to find courage in yourself and/or a support system to help you go through it.
Thank you for reading, hope you feel well.
Kind regards,
Marija
