The Anti-Bullying activity held in Professor Vallier’s room was both educational and inspiring. It began with a brief discussion on how students are gravely affected when being bullied whether it’s in person or online. Multiple things went on during this meeting. We played a game where one of the speakers put a bright red line down the middle of the room and told us to stand on one side. Once everyone was settled and chose a side, the speaker informed us that we were about to play a game. She was going to say something that we could either have experienced, or not. For example; “Have any of you ever felt discriminated by your race or gender.” If you thought the issue that she brought up was something you had experienced, then you stepped on the line. It was interesting to see who stepped on the line. It felt like after every issue she brought up, we all felt more together and more comfortable with one another that we had all felt the same about one thing or another at some points in our lives. We got to watch a video on students going through difficult times in their lives and saw how even if they were sad there was a brighter side in the end. Seeing these people going through these times themselves over words or things that other individuals could have done was entirely disappointing. Before I had just been uninvolved in things people do to one another in bad ways, stayed away from insulting people and consoled whoever was going through bad times. After this activity I felt as if I should over achieve in the issue of bullying and instead of just not doing it I felt like going and helping prevent and possibly even help someone overcome it. After watching the video, we did an activity where the speakers wrote down everyone’s name in the class on a blank sheet of paper and gave one paper to each student. You couldn’t have your own name, and when you got a paper you had to write down one nice thing about the person that you got. After we finished writing things, we got our papers back. It was actually a really nice and sweet activity. Who wouldn’t like a paper full of compliments? It brightened my day completely to see the thoughts my classmates had on me. We even wrote one or Professor Vallier! Hers was by far the absolute best; we all poured our hearts out to her basically explaining how great of a teacher she is. After all those heartwarming letters, we had pie. Needless to say, it was an unforgettable class and I am happy that I was there to experience it all.
