Defeat the Label

Vital Stats

Raizel B

West Bloomfield, MI

people helped150
People Doing It 8

The Problem

All members of our society experience the negative physical, emotional, and psychological effects of the labels that individuals in society place on each other when they judge, blame, and bully one another. Children with special needs are particularly vulnerable to these negative effects because of their often more obvious differences from their "normal" peers. The effects of this bullying include isolation, depression, insecurity, and even consequences as severe as suicidal thinking. The issue is compounded by the fact that bullying behavior is reinforced when witnesses to this bullying behavior, including teachers, administrators, and peers, do not act to intervene in a bullying situation. Through increased awareness and education, the potential power and compassion of the bystander to take action can and should be activated to aid in the elimination of bullying in our community.

Plan of Action

As I think this is an important issue and the most crucial aspect is awareness, I want to outreach to as many schools and students in my community as possible. As the Volunteer Coordinator here at the Friendship Circle, I have a strong network of contacts who are teen volunteers and active students at their high schools and middle schools. Through this network, I would like to capitalize on an ability to spread the word, distribute outreach materials, such as our silicone DefeatTheLabel.com thumb bands to increase awareness about and membership and activity on the DefeatTheLabel.com website. The website inspires youth to be proactive in acts of philanthropy, inclusion, and tolerance by assigning weekly "do-good missions" that members complete in their communities and report on in the online community. Each week, the report that has the most "likes" gets a prize from the Defeat the Label apparel line. The clothing line features t-shirts, pants, and other uniquely designed items that allow its wearers to spread the Defeat the Label message to the world.