It's Your Choice

Posted: 5/17/2011

Hi! My name is Ilse, I'm 20 years old and I'm from Mexico and this is my story.

When I was around 5 or 6, in first grade specifically, there was a girl that wanted everything I have: supportive and caring parents, success in school works, someone to be proud of her. So she started to call me, secretly, spoiled girl. It hurt like hell. I didn't tell my parents this in the beginning, I was hoping that someday that will stop, but I was pretty wrong. I was silenced because I was afraid that something bad will happen to me, my little siblings, my teachers or my parents will get mad, or get hurt, or something bad will happen to them. And I was dealing with this for 4 years, until I told my mom what was happening with that girl, we both cried. She asked me why I didn't tell her before that moment, and I said that I was scared. She talked with my teacher about this and with the principal too, so they can be aware of any situation that will happen next. That girl continued doing during that school year, and my parents and I made a decision: it was time for me to go to another school. I felt weird in my new school, but something magical happened: I was myself there, I wasn't afraid anymore; I met tons of new people and made some new friends. For the first time in many years, I was happy.

Bullying is not about only to feel better with yourself making fun of other people, is about destroying some other's life. That's what happened with me. But I was happy to start a new life when I changed school. Together we can make the difference about having a sad world or making a happy one, is your choice, but I hope you'll do the right thing.

By: Ilse