Breaking Bad co-star RJ Mitte says ‘stand up to bullying’

 

By Richard Riosa

Breaking Bad co-star RJ Mitte wants to raise awareness about the effects of bullying and brought his message to Windsor Nov. 13.

Mitte, 21, was the keynote speaker at an event held at the Giovanni Caboto Club to kick off Windsor’s second-annual bullying awareness week. The event was organized by the University of Windsor Student Alliance and Windsor Pride and attracted about 2,000 people.

UWSA director of student life Josh Paglione said many different forms of bullying exist and the goal of this event is to spread awareness about the effects they can have on the victims.

“I think the popularity of the show (Breaking Bad) will be a draw and we’ll probably get some people here who were bullies and who’ve been bullied and they can share their stories,” said Paglione.

Paglione said he hopes Mitte’s message will bring awareness to a larger audience than they normally would have been able to reach without his celebrity status.

Mitte, who suffers from cerebral palsy, spoke about overcoming his disability and the effects bullying can have on people.

“People need to understand that what you say and what you do in your actions affect everyone,” said Mitte.

According to Mitte, everyone should have the opportunity to make a difference and fight for what they believe is right. He said it only takes one person to start a revolution against bullying.

“You’re not going to make a difference sitting on your couch. You’re not going to make a difference by not getting involved,” said Mitte. “By making a small outlet, by making a small gesture of kindness, people will return it to someone else.”

MPP Teresa Piruzza (L-Windsor West), who also spoke at the event, said she doesn’t know if it’s possible for bullying to ever completely end, but she does want more people to take a stand against bullying.

“Stand up to bullying. That’s the theme of anti-bullying week,” said Piruzza. “If you see it, don’t be that bystander that doesn’t help someone. Do something about it. Be helpful. Don’t be the bully. Stand up to bullying because there is absolutely no place in our community, frankly our province or our society, for bullying to take place.”

Piruzza said everyone is responsible for helping others who are being bullied and to ensure all Canadians share the same opportunities and equality outlined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Educational Support student at St. Clair College, Adrian Deschamps, attended the event. Deschamps, 19, works with a girl who also suffers from cerebral palsy.

Deschamps said he believes people who suffer with disabilities are equally capable of being functioning members of society. He said it was important for Mitte to come share his message with Windsorites and said he hopes it will help change people’s attitude toward bullying.

Mitte said it’s important for people to always remain true to themselves and never give in to bullying.

“If someone is being bullied and someone is having that happen, get a teacher involved, get a friend involved or get your family involved,” said Mitte. “Don’t let someone try to back you into a corner and belittle you for something you have no control over. Don’t let someone belittle you for your belief system. Don’t let someone belittle you for who you are and what you stand up for because at the end of the day they want what you have.”