ProudPA #27 - R-E-S-P-E-C-T Shining a light on bullying

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In April 2015 I signed the Speak Up Pledge, a call to action started by @BonnieLowKramen, and asked my colleague to photograph me doing so in order that I could put it on my desk as a reminder that, by signing, I pledged to speak up in my workplace in order to build more productive, positive, and respectful communication between me, my manager, and my colleagues.

I pledged to always respect myself and not allow myself to be bullied by others; and I pledged that I would endeavour to become a more self-confident and empowered person.

It was quite hard putting pen to paper though as I have been bullied throughout my life, essentially for the “sin” of just trying to be myself. I was bullied at school, and I have been bullied throughout my 22 years within the administrative profession. I wasn’t one of the popular crowd, I didn’t like the same things others did, I didn’t hang out with the “right” people, I was “just” a … and my life choices apparently did not give me the right to an opinion, nor the right to be myself, to be respected, to be heard.

Read more of my story at http://eventopedia.com/blog/proudpa-27-r-e-s-p-e-c-t-shining-light-bullying/