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Say NO to Bullies in Missouri Government!
Please tell Rep. Cunningham to retract her comments and support a productive environment for all Missouri students.
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Subject: Anti-Bullying Legislation
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
I am writing to urge you to support the Safe Schools Anti-Bullying Legislation (HB 1751) and to put an end to your personal bullying of Missouri youth.
On Wednesday, March 26th, two youths with facial piercings visited your office to discuss putting an end to bullying in Missouri schools. You responded by asking the youth to leave your office and telling a subsequent group of youth you "didn't see how any human being could look at them for any prolonged period of time without getting physically ill." I am writing to tell you that I will not stand for bullying in our schools nor bullying by our legislators.
These two youth deserve not only to be protected in their public schools, but to be represented and heard by their elected officials. As chair of the Missouri House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee, I expect you to stand for what is in the best interest of Missouri students. Bullying young people in your own office and refusing to let them speak violates the basic civil liberties of Missouri's young people.
Representative Cunningham, I urge you to support the Safe Schools Legislation (HB 1751). Join me in putting an end to bullying in Missouri Schools. No More Bullying. Not in our schools! Not in our government!
Sincerely,
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Campaign Launched:
March 28, 2008
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Missouri Safe School Legislation (HB 1751) would incorporate enumerated categories into the current state anti-bullying law. The new law would prohibit bullying motivated by actual or perceived race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, intellectual ability, physical appearance, or mental, physical, or sensory disability or disorder. It would also require schools to have detailed policies and procedures for addressing cases of bullying.
According to a 2005 statewide study conducted by GLSEN, Missouri students report the top reasons students are most often bullied at their schools as: - Looks/Body Size - Sexual Orientation & Gender Expression - Academic Ability - Family Income - Race Ethnicity - Religion 27% of Missouri students report bullying based on sexual orientation occuring often or very often in their schools. 38% of students report often or very often bullying based on looks and/or body size (GLSEN: From Teasing to Torment, 2005)
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