This is anti drug and anti bullying week at work. Today, we’re all supposed to wear red to support the cause.

When they said to wear red on Friday, they failed to indicate why, so I almost decided purposefully not to participate, because of what happened to me that morning. But when I found out that it was in support of bully prevention, I even painted my nails red. I told a friend I would dye my skin and teeth, as well.

This is not to say I don’t support drug prevention. I do. It is just that, in my life, bullying has always been a much more pervasive problem.

As an awkward, anxious child who suffered emotional trauma, I was a very quiet kid in school. My grandmother told me never to tell anyone anything, and I took it literally. I was afraid the more I spoke, the more I reached out to my peers, the more personal information I would leak.

So instead, I said nothing, became deeply isolated, ostracized, and depressed, and all too soon I was being targeted by bullies.

My parents urged me to ignore the behavior and it would eventually stop. But now we know that ignoring bullies is largely ineffective. Bullies don’t stop bullying by themselves. They must be stopped.

I spent my entire seventh grade and half of eighth grade heeding my parents’ well-intended, albeit misguided advice, trying in vain to pretend I didn’t hear the laughter, name-calling, and all other manner of torment hurled my way daily. Once I almost broke down crying in front of everyone, and that was a disaster for me.

One morning in mid-January, I was in Mr. O’Brien’s room with my only two friends, when Jandra, the 5 foot 10, big-haired, woman-shaped girl came straight up to me and demanded my seat.

I had had it. She had purposely attracted the attention of everyone in the class, including my crush, and I was not about to be humiliated again in front of him. With the entire room watching, I told her no.

We engaged in a back and forth insult contest for 45 minutes until the bell rang. Was it ideal? Of course not. But I kept my seat.

Where was Mr. O’Brien, through all of this? At the front of the room, pretending not to hear. At the time, in the early 1990s, teachers mistakenly believed it was best not to get involved. This is also what he told my parents when they contacted the school for help. Now, of course, we know differently.

Did Jandra continue to target me after I stood up to her? Not really. Certainly, not nearly as much.

But it took most of my mental energy to do it.

Nevertheless, and no matter the consequences, ever since Jandra, I stubbornly persist in fighting the good fight against bullying. For me, for you. For underdogs everywhere.

Kids, if you’re reading this, part of me hopes you aren’t, because I’m not really writing in a child-friendly way. But part of me hopes you are, because I want you to know I absolutely have your back). If you’re in a similar situation, you should know that not telling anyone is a mistake. Talk to an adult you trust. Adults WILL help you.

Because of Zero Tolerance laws against bullying and violence that were put in place in the mid to late 1990s, we are now required to take all reports of bullying seriously.

Know that you do not have to face bullying alone, like I did in the dark ages. You have a support network. Your parents, guardians, and teachers are there for you. And they want to know, and they want to make sure you’re okay.

Sometimes, it takes a team effort.

So, in spite of my upset, I will wear red today. I will wear so much red, it will be blinding. But I’m not doing it for my bosses. I’m being a bigger person than I was before and doing it for the kids. Not because I want attention or appreciation, but because, in my heart of hearts, I know it is the right thing to do.

P.S.—Kids at school, if you need someone, I am here.

Mrs. Taylor, Room 1-1