Harlem Globetrotter teaches bullying prevention techniques

Students at Salisbury Christian School shouted Friday, “Bullying is not cool!”  It was the message nine year Harlem Globetrotter veteran Handles Franklin shared with them.

Franklin says, “We try to mesmerize and captivate the kids with the tricks, with the basketball, but most importantly give them tools they can use to help fight bullying and points that they can remember.”

One of those points includes the Globetrotter’s famous “ABC’s of Bullying Prevention.” Second grader Abigail Meier got it down pat.

She continues, “Action, brave, and…compassion.”

Meier says she plans to use the method. “Acting” when you see someone being bullied, being “brave” enough to tell a responsible adult, and using “compassion” with someone whose feelings may be hurt.   

Fifth grader Austin Ingersoll agrees with the ABC’s. He says he’s been bullied himself so he knows how it feels.

Ingersoll says, “It actually kind of carries on because when you bully someone else they feel depressed. They want to do that to others to make them feel good.”

In fact, more than 3.2 million students are victims of bullying each year according to dosomething.org. It’s an issue Salisbury Christian Lower School Principal Dr. Steven Lampkin says is discussed in classrooms. He thinks these tricks and tips Handles brought to the building will stick with the kids as well.

Dr. Lampkin continues, “Bullying is an issue that’s never fully just dealt with. We need to keep talking about it and keep having conversations and take it home. It will not only to help with life here at school, but beyond life in school as well.”

The Harlem Globetrotters Bullying Prevention program is in partnership with the National Campaign to Stop Violence.

If you’d like to hear more from Handles check out his full interview with Lenita Wesson on the Good Morning Delmarva page on our website.