The Surviving Bullies Project

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

A New Perspective

i! My name is Jocelyn Schur.  I have just graduated from Staples High School in Westport, CT.  I am working with both Dickon Pownall-Gray and Shan Shan Jiang every day for about a month. 
Yesterday was my first day and Dickon and Shan Shan raved about their recent production in New Haven.  I wish I had seen it because it sounds like it was spectacular.  The production took a long time but in the end it sounds like a wonderful experience for everyone including the audience.  The students in the production were from ECA (Educational Center for the Arts).  In the beginning much of Dickon and Shan Shan’s time was spent discussing bullying.  To their surprise the kids were eager to share their own stories of bullying, some with very serious repercussions.  I watched footage of raps and sketches that the students wrote and choreographed themselves- it was so impressive!  Dickon and Shan Shan described how attached they grew to many of the students and how much they miss them.

I was also impressed with how open the students were during their interviews, which were often understandably accompanied with tears.  It is upsetting to me that any child should be made to feel so badly about him or herself.  I wish there was more I personally could do for I sometimes feel helpless with this universal problem.

We also sat down to brainstorm and discuss ideas for the Surviving Bullies Workbook online edition.  An important point we agreed on was that anyone can identify bulling as a problem but the solutions are what make our mission so crucial. 

For the past few years I have been very involved with the Gay Straight Alliance at my high school.  I have close relationships with many of the members in the club and I think some of the kids have their own stories that need to be heard.  This Thursday which is when the club meets after school each week the three of us will be trekking to Staples to introduce the Surviving Bullies Project.  It is our hope that the topics that are mentioned will get everyone thinking about bullying (we will be educating while creating awareness).  After the presentation the kids will sit in a circle and Shan Shan and Dickon will share their personal stories.  I am sure after this many kids will want to share their own stories.  The following week it is our hope to have many of the kids interviewed by me (with their parents permission). 

I am very excited for this.  I think many people have stories they want to share but lack an audience to share with.  This will give these spectacular kids the opportunity that I am sure will be a great experience and unintentionally therapeutic as well! 
Check back for more updates soon!
-Jocelyn Eve Schur

Posted by Dickon on 01/23/07 at 04:24 PM

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