Windsorites talk about bullying

by Sarah Ryrie

Windsorites were given the chance to vent about their experiences with bullying during an open-mic night Thursday at Legends 2012.

St. Clair College student Ralph Paul Frak hosted this event, along with comedian Dave Squeak. This is Frak’s fifth open-mic night in the last two years. The night featured free pizza and people talking about their experiences with bullying and mental health.

Olivia Bauer, a college student, who was also once a victim of bullying, said she thinks open-mic nights are a great way to help people who need to talk.

“I used to be bullied myself, and it really used to eat me up inside,” said Bauer.” I wish that nights like these had been available while I was being bullied, I think they would’ve helped m+e out a lot.”

Frak is the creator of an online Facebook group called “I been bullied, so let’s talk about it.”

Frak says the group was created to help students feel as though they’re not alone. The group offers support and gives people a place to write down how bullying is affecting their lives. Other members of the group comment on the victim’s post and offer advice, or tell them that they can personally message them if they need to talk to someone.

The group has since grown to 5,000 active members throughout the country. Most of the group’s members are students and young adults who have been victims of bullying, or have been a bully themselves. Frak says he was both a victim and a bully in high school.

“I started the group because growing up I was a victim to bullying myself and used to bully other students,” said Frak.

Frak said he spent many nights alone and didn’t understand why no one would want to hang out with him. Frak said he started getting bullied when he was six years old and it got worse when he started high-school.

“Someone made a Facebook within the first month of high school group called “Beat up Ralph Day.” It really frustrated me but hurt my feelings as well,” said Frak. “You know, people get suspended for what they did. But things like that, like the “Beat up Ralph Day” you remember that for the rest of your life.”

Frak said once college started, he no longer wanted to be a bully and that’s when he started making friends by connecting with other students who have been bullied.

“I remember sitting at home on Friday and Saturday nights when everyone else was going out and doing stuff and wondering why no one was messaging me on MSN or calling me to hangout,” said Frak. “You realize after a point that words do hurt. Plus, who’s going to care about the guy getting bullied when he picks on kids himself.”

Frak says to this day he still gets bullied, but it’s a lot easier with the support of his friends, Facebook group and open-mic nights.

“Even in college I’ve been bullied. As you grow up, people are much crueler than high school,” said Frak.
Bauer said she thinks it’s much easier to speak with people who have also been bullied.

“I’d much rather talk with people who have also been bullied at an open mic night then talk about my struggle with bullying to people who have never been in my shoes,” said Bauer.

If you are being bullied, or are a bully yourself and looking for help call the Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868.

Legends 2012 is located at 1056 Wyandotte St. E.