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| Afraid, worthless, alone, and sometimes even suicidal, are feelings a victim feels. I, myself, was a victim of brutal harassment. It was unbearable. If you or someone you know is harassed they are not alone. Harassment is no longer considered a right to passage through school. My experiences have inspired me to create H.O.P.E. and hopefully inspire you as well.
I want to share my story with you…
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| I lived in fear for my life for two years. They say high school is the best days of your life, but for me and many other students those are the years I have tried to forget. At the tender age of only 15, I was being stalked. It began with one person and grew into a group of upperclassmen girls. It went from the typical name calling and rumors to being followed and threatened outside of school. Waiting outside my window, calling my house daily, harassing my family, showing up where I work, toilet papering my house, slashing my car tires, the list goes on and on of what they did to me. But a day I will never forget was homecoming. The girls took my picture and wrote malicious phrases, degrading artwork and at convocation in front teachers, the principle and the entire student body they began chanting "You're ugly, You're Ugly" Shortly after, while riding on my class float for a parade, they chased me down the street and pointed super soaker guns just inches from my face and drenched me with water. I kept running, because I knew what was next, they where going to beat me up. I pleaded desperately and screamed out in tears for help from my principle and school deans, but yet nothing was done. They never received a single punishment. I was not taken seriously, my school was not taking responsibility, and even though they witnessed it they accused me of possibly lying. They considered it something everyone goes through. I went from a good student to having anxiety attacks, my grades dropped tremendously, and I fell into a realm of depression. People do not realize this can affect them for the rest of their lives. |
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| It took me waking up to find a pile of Barbie dolls stripped and stabbed with fake blood all over my yard, for the police to finally take my case seriously. My front yard looked like a crime scene with police and a forensic specialist taking fingerprints and pictures. Thoughts kept swirling in my head," Why me? They want me dead…What's going to happen for this to end?"
Now why did these girls do this to me? I will never know. The only reason I was given was "We just don't like you"
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| After so long either you give up, OR do something about it! I was tired of them controlling my life. So after much thought and consideration friends and I brainstormed for what we could do to put an end to bullying. I absorbed myself in books, research, interviews with counselors, school officials, and anyone I thought could help. I was determined to create a non profit organization that worked. H.O.P.E has been in the works for many years and has been official since August 10 2004. I am proud to say school systems are now taking action. |
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| I have dedicated my life to putting an end to bullying and to volunteer mentoring victims. I always say, things happen for a reason. This experience has made me even more ambitious and stronger then ever! Although we cannot always control the things that happen in our lives, we control how we learn from it and how we apply it to who we are! If I can make it then you can!
I pray this has given you a new sense of H.O.P.E. If you have a story, need help, or any questions please don't hesitate to contact me. That's what I am here for!
May God Bless you!
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| Brittany Mason |
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