“Tell a teacher, tell a parent. Ask for help.” It’s the anti-bullying mantra, and parents and teachers all over the country have been struggling to help children feel comfortable doing just that with cyber-bullying on the rise and a string of tragic, bullying related incidents filling the headlines.
Ziainey Stokes, an 11 year old from West Philadelphia, wasn’t satisfied with asking a teacher or a parent for help – she went straight to the top. Ziainey, sick of abuse from bullies at two different schools over the course of several years, decided to write a letter to President Obama about the problem of bullying in schools.
“I wrote that some people don’t care if you get bullied or not, but I do care,” Ziainey told her local NBC affiliate.
She didn’t expect a response. Neither did her mother. Zina Stokes was just proud of her daughter for finding a non-violent way to confront her problems.
Then a letter from the President himself appeared in their mailbox.
“I wanted to cry, but I was in public so I went home and went into the bathroom and started crying because I was so happy,” said Ziainey.
In the letter, President Obama thanked the little girl for bringing attention to the issue of bullying, and he also promised her that he, and his administration, are striving to help:
“Your letter demonstrates a desire to change the culture of your classroom as well as your community,” he wrote. ”You deserve a safe, engaging, and enjoyable classroom, and together we will strive to make this a reality.”
The letter inspired Ziainey to do something to help herself, and other kids who face bullying. She’s starting an organization at her school called No Kid Should Be Bullied.
