Bullying or bullying is a serious issue that unfortunately is still rife. However, the bitter experience of bullying did not make Shira Blumenthal worse off. On the other hand, from the pain he experienced due to bullying at school, he took the initiative to end bullying.
Through the #HatNotHate campaign, Shira made many people aware of the impact of bullying and voiced that both children and adults should not receive bad treatment.
Compiled from People, let's check out Shira Blumenthal's story in eradicating bullying by creating the inspiring #HatNotHate campaign below!
Was a Victim of Bullying as a Child
When she was 9 years old, Shira's appearance was made a joke to her classmates. Not infrequently, Shira cried because of repeated bullying. His friend made fun of his hair shape, weight, appearance, and style. From one friend, the ridicule made all his classmates mock the appearance of little Shira.
Although her mother had reported the incident to the school, the bullying did not subside. Even worse until finally changing schools was a decision that had to be taken at that time.
“I remember being in the waiting room with my mother when I wanted to report the bullying that had been experienced. Mom gave me a silver ring that has a small pearl with two gold ball accents. Mother said, “Shira, this ring will give you courage when you need it and I can't be there. When you need me, just rub the ring and know I'm sending you courage," Shira said, quoted from the official #HatNotHate website.
#HatNotHate launch
In 2018, Shira decided to create an anti-bullying campaign called #HatNotHate. Apart from his personal experience, he also discovered the fact that about one in four children in the United States experience bullying and bullying. This, if repeated, can lead to depression, anxiety, and suicidal behavior.
The concept of #HatNotHate is that people knit, crochet and make blue hats. The blue color represents awareness and solidarity and is the color to wear in support of bullying prevention.
From donating blue hats, the #HatNotHate movement doesn't end there. Shira and the team will work with the Director of Education to create a program of meetings that will be presented at schools across the US during October, at National Bullying Prevention Month.
The hats collected will be brought to events for students to wear throughout the month, empowering them to be strong and resist bullying, and feel driven by the love and purpose for making these handmade hats.
The #HatNotHate campaign has also successfully grown globally. In 2019, the campaign received over 23,000 hats from knitters around the world. Not only sending hats, people also often send letters to him and tell about their experiences of bullying.
Not Just a Symbol
More than just symbolism, #HatNotHate's goal is to educate students about anti-bullying and tell them how they themselves can make a difference, and can make a difference in someone's day who has been bullied just by being nice.
“When I started this for nine year old Shira, I only did it because I didn't want anyone else to feel what I felt. I remember being in my mother's arms and asking 'Why me?'. Of course, I couldn't imagine such an unfortunate event could turn into a dynamic form of movement that has touched and helped thousands of people. And they're not just students. Adults who have been bullied or who have been bullied as children participate in making hats as a source of therapy for themselves," said Shira.