Bully

Summary:
     The movie, Bully, is a documentary that can be watched on Netflix. The movie profiles individuals and families who are facing different stages of bullying. Some families have lost loved ones due to bullying and other individuals are currently being bullied. The film also touches on the aftermath of severe bullying and how these people who have been so negatively affected by bullying are trying to put a stop to it. The documentary takes place in different states and towns in the midwest and southern parts of the United States. For more information on the documentary, you can visit the website www.thebullyproject.com

Reaction:
     Before we had watched this movie in class, I had stumbled upon it on Netflix and began to watch it. I couldn't watch the whole thing the first time I tried watching it because I just felt sad. It made me feel sad watching kids be so mean and hurtful to kids who seemed so defenseless. I was shocked at how much these kids were getting away with, especially on the bus. Whenever I have ridden a school bus, the rules were very strictly enforced. I was outraged out how poorly the assistant principal was handling all the bullying incidents. Not only did she tell a child who was being severely bullied that he had sunk to the level of his tormenter, but she blatantly lied to the parents of a child being harassed on the school bus, telling them there are no problems on that particular bus and that those children were "golden." This movie made a pretty big impact on me. I couldn't watch it all the way through the first time I tried, but I'm glad I had to watch the whole thing in class. It really made me think about my own experiences in those teenage years. It made me question whether or not there was that much bullying happening when I was in middle school and high school. If there was, was I just blind to it all? Was I participating in it without even knowing?

Plan:
     This movie made me think a lot about my participation or lack of participation in bullying and how I can not only not participate in bullying, but how I can prevent others from doing it as well. A powerful point in the movie is when they talk about how individuals really can make a difference. I know that for me, I am more dedicated to the cause of ending bullying after watching this movie. I have never been tolerant of bullies or bullying, but watching this movie made me realize just how many kids are still being negatively affected by bullying. Its amazing that we live in a world so diverse and we still are struggling with loving others and being accepting of them. I think Bully should be shown in all high schools and middle schools in the country. I think it would have a lasting effect on the majority of the students and that they would at least think twice before bullying others. I think for me, personally, I will be more adamant about sticking up for others who are being bullied. Its not enough to just not be a bully, but I need to help those in need. I can also encourage others who are bullying not to do so.