Homily By, Ursula Jitta, First U Youth

The definition of bully is a person who uses strength or power to harm someone. I think often bullies get their ‘strength’ from their insecurities and the reactions they get when pointing them out in someone else. When I was little I was bullied for the way I looked. The kids would look at me and immediately make assumptions about who I am. Over time I realized that it wasn’t about me, it was just a projection of the insecurities that they feel themselves, but it took me a lot of introspection and self love to come to that place. bullies mistreat others because they don’t know how to deal with what’s going on in their lives. They were taught subconsciously to treat others the way they feel, and project emotions onto other people without a second thought, which is how our society keeps running.Socio-economic discrimination is one of the most complex (and damaging) inequalities in our society because it is so closely linked to other forms of inequality and discrimination, and is also the most prevalent in schools.

The first thought you think is taught, and we live in a society that teaches us to immediately judge and dehumanize people. It’s almost inherent as these prejudices are built into our society and how we see things. It’s so prevalent in the media to bring people down and pit people against each other, it’s implanted in how we treat each other, and sometimes it’s unintentional. However, the second thought you think is yours and I think sometimes bullies don’t acknowledge their second thought, or maybe they don’t even have one. They take their first and run with it, not opening up their minds or hearts to another way of thinking. This is why it is so important to think about your second thoughts, and try to unlearn your initial behaviors and reactions to things, so as to create your own mind, that isn’t attached to preconceived notions of who you should be or what you should think. If you really reflect on your second thoughts you can find out who you are without the societal norms and ideals attached to your first, so own your second thought, because it’s yours.