17 Responses

  1. karihiga
    karihiga at |

    You are right that silence from bystanders and even the victims fuel the power wielded by the bully. I am working with our new religious school director on empowering teens (for our 10th graders). I’m only helping with structured strategies to engage kids, the director is creating the program. One of the ways to empower kids is to speak up when they see wrong. I will let you know how that goes. Thank you Cody for always encouraging us to get involved. Thank you for making us accountable for our words. ❤️

    Reply
    1. Cody Kennedy
      Cody Kennedy at |

      Thank YOU, Kari, for getting involved. Your work with youth will have a terrific impact on your community, your children, and the youth you work with. My hat’s off to you! Thanks for dropping by and commenting! It’s always great to see you here!

      Reply
  2. Kell Ryder
    Kell Ryder at |

    Very well said, Cody!
    <3 Timmy

    Reply
    1. Cody Kennedy
      Cody Kennedy at |

      Thanks, big guy! <3

      Reply
  3. trish2144
    trish2144 at |

    Couldn’t have said it any better! Thank you. =}

    Reply
    1. Cody Kennedy
      Cody Kennedy at |

      Thank you, Trish! Thanks for stopping by and commenting! It’s great to see you here!

      Reply
  4. Anna Lund
    Anna Lund at |

    Beautiful exposé, as always, dear Cody, (with the added bonus of having to look up a word, yay!).

    I will never forget my mother one time, when I was maybe 6 or 7. As we were walking home through a park, we saw two guys hitting on a third who was lying down on the ground. My mom flew at the guy sitting on him, and smashed her purse (a heavy-duty MOM-purse) in his face, and screamed at him “YOU DO NOT CONTINUE TO HIT SOMEONE WHO IS ALREADY LYING DOWN, YOU DO NOT HIT ANYONE PERIOD!!!”
    Seeing her do this, I walked up to the other guy who was by the poor guy’s head, and kicked him in the shin and screamed “BAD BOY BAD BOY BAD BOY!”

    These guys were shocked out of their wits, I think. A complete stranger, (a woman at that!) and her little girl had just taken them on for a fight. They looked at us and took off. Mom and I brought the young man to the ER and made sure he was stitched up.

    I make a point in taking a stand, every time, always. That’s what my mom taught me. It has cost me friends (well, not really friends, eh?), jobs, opportunities for business, and more.

    But it has also made me who I am, and the friends I DO have are true.

    So: teach your kids right.

    Thank you for writing this, Cody. And Timmy: I left words for your story where it is posted. You brought me to tears.
    I love you boys.

    Reply
    1. Cody Kennedy
      Cody Kennedy at |

      What a terrific story, Anna! And that’s how it begins. Teach your children to stand up for those in need. I’m proud to call you my friend. As always, it’s great to see you here.

      Reply
  5. Mel Leach
    Mel Leach at |

    Two points for everyone to ponder:
    1.) I used to think “someone should do something about that”… then I realized that I am that someone.
    2.) It’s not about HAVING time; it’s about MAKING time… every single day.

    There are so many people out there who need someone’s help, someone’s love and concern. Will you be that someone?

    Reply
    1. Cody Kennedy
      Cody Kennedy at |

      EXCELLENT points, Mel! Bravo! Thanks for taking the time to post them! <3

      Reply
  6. Lili
    Lili at |

    Cody and Timmy: my heroes. Thank you for everything that you do. <3

    Reply
    1. Cody Kennedy
      Cody Kennedy at |

      Awww, thank YOU, Lili! <3

      Reply
  7. sandym0327
    sandym0327 at |

    Your posts always make me think, Cody, and I always learn so much! Thank you for posting the link to Timmy’s post. I love reading what he thinks and what he has to say.

    Reply
    1. Cody Kennedy, Author
      Cody Kennedy, Author at |

      Thank you so much, Sandy.This was a tough post to write because I wanted to hit the issue of willful ignorance head on. This article explains it in words but Timmy’s story illustrates just how damaging it is. Thank you for stopping by, for reading it, commenting, and for sharing it. <3

      Reply
  8. Pati
    Pati at |

    You’re right on the mark, Cody. One of my proudest moments was when my tiny little, daughter stood up to the bully beating on her twin brother while simultaneously yelling at their friends for keeping quiet.

    Sadly, I don’t think that society on the whole even realizes how much they not only condone but encourage bullying.

    I’m like Anna’s mom if I see something happening, I don’t care who, what where or when I’ll defend the person in any way I need to. I don’t care who I embarrass or what kind of scene it causes and I’m proud to say that my daughter is the same.

    Reply
    1. Cody Kennedy
      Cody Kennedy at |

      You are a wonderful mother, Pati! My hat’s off to you!

      Reply
  9. Meg Amor
    Meg Amor at |

    Aloha Cody!

    Incredible. I applaud what you are doing. I have always stood up for people too, spoken out, said things, got angry, taken action. And yes, have been ‘told off’ for it. I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who has had that reaction from people… well… you know what I mean. It makes me feel less alone. This week, I’ve been told off about 3 times for being outspoken, ‘excitable’ standing up for things that make my blood boil…Prejudice of any kind. Racism, sexism, homophobia. It’s all bulling in different forms..

    I think you’re fabulous… and Timmy too… what an inspiration you both are… Thank YOU!!!

    Aloha and care Meg Amor 🙂 <3

    Reply

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