She is they. She is ze. She is them. She is we. She is you. She is me. She is your neighbour, Your sister, Your cousin, Y our teacher. She is your friend. Your aunt, Your boss, Y our preacher. She is the C.E.O. in a power suit and heels. She is the grandma who makes the best meals. She is the celebrity you would love to meet. She is the destitute living on the street. She is the small child filled with fear. She is the woman you see in the mirror. She is many voices Choked back by tears Of criticism O f humiliation. She can’t even whisper Silenced from fear. O f rejection O f retaliation. She is they. She is ze. She is them. She is we. She is you. She is me.
To the bullies Who joined in on the torment… ...you’re forgiven ...you were just a child. To the bullies Who poked, prodded, and hit … …you’re forgiven …but understand what you did. To the bullies who enjoyed their sorrow and tears… …you’re forgiven …hope the child healed from the pain. To the adults Who knew it was happening…. ...it’s your fault …you could have stopped it. To the adults Who didn’t stop the bullying… …it’s your fault …your inaction enabled them. To the adults Who did nothing… …it’s your fault … you should have stopped the abuse. To the child Who was shunned by their peers… …it’s not your fault …kids can be mean. To the child who was teased, mauled, abused… ...it’s not your fault ...you didn’t deserve it. To the child Whose innocence was tarnished… …it’s not your fault …don’t let them define you. …dig deep into the rubble of your heart, find your light and shine.