No Bullying Here

This has been my local witness against bullying, and was featured on the local Patch as well as the UCC KYP newsletter.

In July 2013, more than 10,000 rainbow scarves, knitted and crocheted in congregations throughout the United States, were delivered to Long Beach, California, where the United Church of Christ adopted a denomination-wide policy to support, promote and create anti-bullying initiatives in our local communities. This is a continuation of the denomination’s long commitment to supporting vulnerable and exploited populations, beginning with its early work towards the abolition of slavery and continuing today in active support for groups like immigrants and the LGBT community.

When he returned from Long Beach, the Rev. J. Gary Brinn, pastor of Sayville Congregational United Church of Christ began exploring how he might contribute to local anti-bullying efforts. The idea of providing a rainbow scarf to students who took an anti-bullying pledge was considered, but rejected because it was both labor intensive and too closely tied to one population, children targeted because they are identified or suspected of being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. While this group is indeed vulnerable, children are bullied for many reasons, including weight, disability, family composition and race. Instead, the pastor settled on the idea of blue nail polish, to be worn in September and January as a visible sign that the wearer has pledged to stand against bullying..

Why nail polish? In the summer of 2012 there was a media firestorm as a fashion editor made public the fact that she allowed her young son to wear polish on his toes. That same year, a pop star encouraged girls to paint their pinkies blue to stand against bullying. This year, musician Gwen Steffani was criticized for allowing her son, Kingston, to paint his nails. Finally this summer, ABC Family ran a summer series focusing on a non-traditional foster family. In the series, the 7th grade boy goes to school wearing blue nail polish. He is bullied until the next day, when his best friend, perceived as popular and masculine, appears at school wearing matching blue nail polish.

Beginning Labor Day weekend, Pastor Gary, a Nascar-watching disabled Army veteran, will wear blue nails, and invite those courageous enough to stand against bullying to join him.

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