Anti-bullying summit held at Blevins

BLEVINS – Members of the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr., Commission were at Blevins Schools to talk about bullying Thursday afternoon.

Tiffany Pettus, with the commission, talked about the non-violent programs the commission offers, adding it’s designed to be educational and provide opportunities to mentor and teach others. It hosts programs in both English and Spanish.

She pointed out Monday, Aug. 28, was the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington where Dr. King gave the “I have a Dream” speech. Students were called up to give the six principles of non-violence. The Blevins spirit team performed for the students.

Pettus told the story of King’s early life and the trials he went through, even attempting suicide at one point. She said there are things in life that happen and hurt, but you decide how to use these things. Haters, she added, can be elevators, but it depends on how negative experiences are used.

Rev. Patrick Gulley, of Antioch Baptist Church, was the keynote speaker, saying he will do all he can to prevent bullying. “Bullies,” he said, “don’t understand what they say hurts.” He added the victims can often consider suicide. He told the students bullies aren’t tough. To be tough people need to apologize for what they say and do and it takes a tough person to ask someone to stop bullying because bullying kills people.

“What affects one of us affects all of us indirectly,” he said. Bullying won’t end, he continued, until we have unconditional love for one another. “It’s always right to say no to bullying.”