Did you know that PINK SHIRT DAY began in NOVA SCOTIA? And that it was the initiative of two high school students? Thanks to two students who weren’t afraid to SPEAK UP when they saw someone being bullied for the mere offense of wearing a pink shirt to school. All it takes to promote change is a spark. Once a spark is lit, it’s pretty hard to put out the flame. So today, I would like to thank DAVID SHEPHERD and TRAVIS PRICE. These two remarkable high school students stood up and said, “We’re not going to take it anymore…” These two students were not afraid to say, “NO. This is NOT happening!”

When David and Travis organized a protest in their own school to encourage fellow students to don pink shirts in solidarity with a grade nine student who was bullied for doing the same, I’m sure they had no idea how far the torch of their spark would reach. They wanted only to change the life of ONE PERSON for the better. To tell that harassed and bullied boy that he wasn’t alone, that it was okay to wear pink.

David and Travis, along with friends, quickly organized their protest. They bought 50 pink tank tops, brought them to school the next day and handed them out to boys as they entered the school. When the bullied boy entered the school and saw the sea of pink standing in solidarity for him (with him)…well, I can’t even begin to imagine how he must have felt. The relief must have been palpable.

That’s all it took to spark a change. Two boys and a couple bags full of shirts.

Today…it’s not only that small Nova Scotia high school putting on pink shirts. This is now a national initiative. It’s not even just for teenagers and schools anymore. It’s for everyone. Anyone who has ever been bullied, marginalized, picked on, made to feel different, odd, invisible. OR anyone who knows how wrong it is to bully. This day is for everyone. It’s the day to stand up against thugs and bullies and meanies…the day to say, “That’s it. No more. We’re NOT going to take it anymore!”

Wear a pink shirt today. Show your support. Be the spark that won’t die out. SPEAK UP AND SPEAK OUT. It’s so easy…

Head over to ERASE BULLYING to learn more about Pink Shirt Day…and how you can get involved. Did you know there’s an online portal available for reporting bullying?

Head over to PINKSHIRTDAY.CA

A Youtube Video on how PINK SHIRT DAY BEGAN. Please share the video: