A Rather Blue Day In Woodstock
A Blue crowd rallies support for a national anti-bullying day
By Shawn Merrithew - A6
Despite the falling snow on Wednesday, it was a Blue Day in Woodstock. Earlier this fall, local college student Robert Frenette began rallying support to stamp out bullying across the country. The first-year journalist is advocating to have Dec. 17 declared Blue Day across the country in recognition of anti-bullying organizations.
Last month, Woodstock town council jumped on board with Frenette, declaring Dec. 17 as Blue Day for the community and setting the stage for Wednesday afternoon's rally in the Woodstock High School theatre.
Despite the poor weather, a handful of people, dressed in blue, were on hand for the rally, including Tobique-Mactaquac MP Mike Allen.
"This is a start," said Allen, who acknowledged bullying is a serious problem. "I think we had a small but mighty crowd here today (Wednesday). The first step in solving a problem is the recognition that you have it."
With all the electronic media in the world today, Allen pointed out, people don't always see the bullying taking place, nor do they realize how easily it can be done.
"You don't even have to reach out and touch them anymore," he explained. "You can do it through the Internet and that type of thing. So I think this is important to recognize, and, if we can change these behaviours in kids in school now, it should make us a better society as well as a lot safer communities in going forward."
Despite the low turnout, Frenette said he was pleased with those who did attend. It certainly shows the message is getting out there, he said.
"The support is definitely there," Frenette said. "With 60 schools across the province doing this today (Wednesday), people are realizing bullying is a problem. This is one way I think we can get it addressed."
Having that support is encouraging, he added, allowing him to forge forward with his national petition. He pointed out bullying is a problem, not only in schools, but in the workplace and communities as well. Confronting the issue may not solve it overnight, he said, but generating awareness is a start to snuffing it out.
"I have been doing this for two years, and it has been an uphill battle," Frenette said. "This is definitely a positive part of it, and there will be more in the future. Bullying is a global problem, and it has to be addressed. With this petition, it will definitely be an eye-opener for the federal government to look at something. Bullying is something, without a community effort, that doesn't go away. With this support, hopefully we can get it curbed."
Allen said he plans to take Frenette's petition to Ottawa and assures there will be some discussion on this serious issue.
"I think it will raise the awareness of bullying," Allen said. "Maybe the next step will be to raise a motion in the House of Commons for a debate to determine if it can pass in terms of creating a day for it."
For Frenette, he plans to keep lobbying the federal government until Blue Day gets its due recognition.
"We are going step by step to get it a federal day," Frenette added.
