Today I witnessed an act of bullying on our campus and was appalled by it. I would think that we, as college students and not high school students, would be above the act of bullying for the mere pleasure of it. What sort of satisfaction comes from being a bully? Do we even know? Do  bullies even know? Do they think it is cool?

Bullying is a serious issue and there are many forms of it out there. There is physical bullying when you push someone into doing something, acting a certain way, or when you physically shove them or do something to them with the intended result of humiliating them in front of others. There is verbal bullying, when you say something to or about another person that is meant to cause harm or hurt feelings.

These two are the most known sources of bullying, but there is a third that I believe more people should be aware of. It is called

silent bullying or out-casting, in other words. When you purposefully exclude someone who is willing to participate from a conversation or an activity, it causes them to think that they are not wanted and are not good enough or smart enough to have an opinion.

It is wrong to participate in any of these acts of bullying and it would be in everyone’s best interest if we were to abolish bullying. I know it is a lot to ask to live in a world with absolutely no bullying or violence, because let’s face it there will always be people out there that feel the need to commit these acts for some reason or another.

However, what I am asking is a lot easier to accomplish. I am asking that we abolish bullying on our college campus and start making friends with each other. Remember, it is often the people who are “different” “unique” or “quiet” that become the best friends and most interesting people you will ever meet.

So, stop bullying in our school and next time you see that quiet girl with her head stuck in a book, ask her what she is reading and actually engage in a conversation. Who knows, you might even end up liking her and gaining a friend for life.

To report bullying, find the nearest professor or call campus safety at 585-343-0055. Of course for emergencies you can always dial 9-1-1.