I'm afraid I feel impelled to publicly disagree with the "anti-bullying" campaign's presentation in The Herald. I say I'm afraid because I agree so strongly with the message of anti-bullying that I feel this campaign actually hurts that message. A few times now, I have looked at the full-page ad and have been disheartened with what I saw.
Both times the bottom picture has been of someone holding their fist in front of their face. The face has been blurred, but the fist, with "I stand against" or words to that effect emblazoned on it, is in clear focus. There is no object in front of the fist except the reader. We cannot assume the reader is a bully. I find this tactic far too aggressive for this message. Aren't we trying to end unprovoked violence? Holding one's fist in the air, right in front of someone's face, is, at best, provocative.
May I, with all due respect, suggest that violent, pro-active, object-less anti-bullying might in itself be a form of bullying. You are threatening someone who hasn't done anything. You are using a form of intimidation to bring about a desired effect. Isn't that bullying?
Randy Van Zwol
Lethbridge