Think this doesn't have anything to do with Health & Wellness? Yes, it does. It speaks to our mental, spiritual, and emotional health as a nation. Bullying has been around forever you say. Yes, but does that make it right or just? No. We've all been bullied in our lives, is it a right of passage? It doesn't have to be. It's a learned behavior that can be passed on from generation to generation due to ignorance & intolerance. It's a cycle, if we chose, can STOP. Yep, stop it dead in it's tracks. By speaking up when prejudicial behavior is heard or seen. By reaching out to those who are targeted. By watching your own behavior especially in the presence of our children.
As an athlete I was always taught that our team was only as strong as our weakest link and that it was up to the stronger athletes to make the weaker players better. As an adult I carry that philosophy with me into the Health & Wellness arena. It is my belief that we, as a nation, as a human race are only as strong as our weakest link. Our weakest link in this case is our GLBT folks. Constant targets by the politicians & the religious right. We, who are strong and have our own personal shields against such insults, must not only protect, but empower our weaker link, our vulnerable people.
We must NOT tolerate these acts. We must no longer be silent when heard. How can we be a healthy nation when we allow these and other behaviors to eat away at our soul as a citizen of this world.
I am fortunate to work with a company that is working on "inclusive" language in it's policies for the employees. But our job is not yet complete. As Ellen mentions in her message, things will get better, things do change and our teens should be around to see it!
Thank you Ellen for this Brilliant message!
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