October marks National Bullying Prevention Month

DELAWARE – October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Local advocates are reminding us of ways we can be more inclusive. “We always say that the acceptance of somebody isn’t inviting them to a dance. The inclusion of somebody is asking them to dance,” said Director of Unified Champion Schools for the Special Olympics of Delaware Jon Buzby.

The word “inclusive” is what Buzby says is really key. He tells 47ABC inclusivity can be done in a lot of different ways. “You can invite somebody to come and watch the kickball game at intramurals. But, until you involve them, they really aren’t included. So, that is just so important, and it really expands beyond people with disabilities,” said Buzby. “You need to include everybody. You need to figure out a way to include them so that they can be successful and feel good about it. You wouldn’t want to be the one excluded. It all wraps its way back around to bullying.”

Buzby also says another key part of stopping bullying and exclusion is to speak up when you see it. He says leading by example can be one of most useful tools in being inclusive of everyone. “I think putting the onus on the ones who are maybe not doing the bullying, but who are not getting people meaningfully involved, and having them be part of the solution,” said Buzby. “You can jump in, prevent it, and speak up about it. What I do in my backyard is I call my kids inside and I ask them ‘Why wasn’t this person part of the game?’ And if the answer is ‘Well, they can’t kick the ball,’ then my response is ‘How can they be involved in the game anyway?'”