A Stand Against Bullying on Spirit Day

10/19/2012

Today, people across the nation (myself included) are wearing purple to recognize and combat the very real, very frightening issue of bullying.

GLAAD’s Spirit Day is an annual day in October when millions of Americans wear purple to speak out against bullying and to show their support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth. You can learn even more right here.

It's difficult to define bullying. It's not just a physical phenomenon; it's verbal, too. Bullying is about saying awful things, but it's also not saying them. Acts of exclusion or deliberate class distinction can be forms of bullying. When you manipulate someone, that's also bullying.

On Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta, I'm known as a prankster. And I'll admit it, I love (love!) to tease. There's a very fine line between bullying and teasing, though, and I never cross it.

In school, I was bullied. I was a small, slight person, and I was shoved into lockers and had my books knocked out from my hands. I never got picked first for sports, and I had trouble fitting into the mainstream. But I found comfort in the arts. I thrived in art classes and drama -- a creative outlet was my key for coping.

Equality is one of the hardest things to accept and promote. Accepting people for who they are is a challenge. But we should all strive for it. Using repetitive words and acts to convince people to change so they better fit who you want them to be is bullying. 

If you are a victim of bullying, I hope you find the courage to stand up for yourself or to tell someone that you're being bullied. If you don't show the strength you have inside, someone will always take advantage of your weakness.

Comments

[Robyn]

Monte- I saw the previews about Lori, and you know...It's going to be okay. She is a strong lady and I plan to have a lott of people praying for her. I love your show even though Ive been married 31 yrs, lol. Monte I really look up to you as a person, I also stand against bullying. I am a christian but NO ONE has a right to bully anyone, God loves us all NO exceptions!!!I have a autistic daughter and it hard to deal with people and their children being bully's. Ive dealt with it with all my 7 children.. You are an inspiration to me and know that we ARE praying for Lori and all of you to be able to fill her shoes for a short time. Just be strong for her and be positive!!!

Robyn

[Penny McCracken]

Hi Montie: I have enjoyed watching
you and all the people on your show.
But this message is about something far more serious. Your colleague Lori's breast cancer.
Please Google "Cyberknife" - and find one near where you live. It uses a laser to enter the body, find the cancer anywhere in it, and targets the cancer only, not surrounding tissue. No surgery -- no cutting, no chemo, no nuclear medicine, no scar,
no rsk of anesthsia, no hair loss, no
sickness and vomiting after chemo.
PLEASE, just tell her to check into it. I live in Nevada, and we have that available in nearby Reno. It has helped patients even recover from pancreatic and lung cancer. Please look into it, rather than endure the months of the savage, sometimes useless, current method of trying to cure breast cancer. After each treatment, done in street clothes, the patient leaves the hospital, feeling fine. Please for her sake, investigate this alternate, and much kinder, form of
treatment.
I love and bless you all.And wish her good luck for me. Penny

[Fanny A Litovich]

My dear Monte, I've been watching the show since it started and I was still living back in Puerto Rico, where I was raised. I just adore your elegance, your comments and the beautiful styles you have. I divorced after 38 years and I think at 61, just perhaps I will have a second chance to be happy wityh my true love but it's too early to say.

My purpose writing is to tell you my unending admiration for your work and specially for Lori. You have no idea how much I* admired her and I would love you to tell her. I am nobody famous or a celebrity. I am unemployed and on Food stamps here in Tampa where I moved following 2 of my 3 children, in order to see if i could have a better life and fend for myself. After being a wealthy woman this is what life had for me and at my age. But my heart and prayers are with Lori 200%. She is what I used to be, a hard worker, exquisite and very human person and I'll stand by her in the distance throughout her battle with breast CA. My beloved is right now battling renal cancer in Houston and Ione of my best friends for years is a breast CA survivor; so tell Lori she is already added to the list of people I love in my synagoge ( I happen to be Jewish) and we eill pray every day and myself privately for her quick recovery, survival because I need to see the two of you togeteher again fighting with the "Southern Belles". It's one of the few pleasures I still have and help me cling to my dream to sometime soon marrying the love of my life, since we were 14 years old. After 43 years, bad marriages and lots of tears, we found each other ijn 2010 on FB. It's a long story and whenever you want to hear it, just let me know. I even have pictures.

Tell Lori to hang in there, she is so strong, she will make it. And to you my friend, Shabbat Shalom and I do hope one deay hear from you personally. My love and admiration for the two of you. Los quiero!

Posted by: Fanny A Litovich | 10/20/2012 at 11:13 AM

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[Fanny A Litovich]

My dear Monte, I've been watching the show since it started and I was still living back in Puerto Rico, where I was raised. I just adore your elegance, your comments and the beautiful styles you have. I divorced after 38 years and I think at 61, just perhaps I will have a second chance to be happy wityh my true love but it's too early to say.

My purpose writing is to tell you my unending admiration for your work and specially for Lori. You have no idea how much I* admired her and I would love you to tell her. I am nobody famous or a celebrity. I am unemployed and on Food stamps here in Tampa where I moved following 2 of my 3 children, in order to see if i could have a better life and fend for myself. After being a wealthy woman this is what life had for me and at my age. But my heart and prayers are with Lori 200%. She is what I used to be, a hard worker, exquisite and very human person and I'll stand by her in the distance throughout her battle with breast CA. My beloved is right now battling renal cancer in Houston and Ione of my best friends for years is a breast CA survivor; so tell Lori she is already added to the list of people I love in my synagoge ( I happen to be Jewish) and we eill pray every day and myself privately for her quick recovery, survival because I need to see the two of you togeteher again fighting with the "Southern Belles". It's one of the few pleasures I still have and help me cling to my dream to sometime soon marrying the love of my life, since we were 14 years old. After 43 years, bad marriages and lots of tears, we found each other ijn 2010 on FB. It's a long story and whenever you want to hear it, just let me know. I even have pictures.

Tell Lori to hang in there, she is so strong, she will make it. And to you my friend, Shabbat Shalom and I do hope one deay hear from you personally. My love and admiration for the two of you. Los quiero!

[Miriam]

I love love love "Say Yes to the Dress" Atlanta. Monty is so entertaining, witty and funny. :o) The crew at the bridal salon is zlso so wonderful, professional, and dedicated. But my heart and best wishes go out to Lori in her fight agains breast Cancer. Get well Lori, and my prayers are with you and your family for a quick recovery.

[Martha]

Dear Monte,
I love you all and your show. Please give Lori a huge hug for me!
Tonights show was very moving.
Thoughts and prayers to Lori for continued success in her battle.