How to deal with discrimination & bullying?
If we are discriminated against or bullied, it hurts us. For example, at school, it is quite common for a student to make fun of a classmate. It often starts with a little thing. Maybe it’s a piece of clothing, maybe it’s big ears or just glasses. Maybe our weight is the reason.
Sometimes we even laugh ourselves not to show how sad this joke makes us.
We hide the pain, then we withdraw ourselves.
Do you know or have you experienced such situations?
How do I best deal with it?
Defend yourself
If you let yourself be pushed into the position of a victim and react submissively, harassment will become more and more frequent. Therefore, show the limits from the beginning and speak clearly when the limits are crossed. But remember, only defend yourself with words. Violence is not a solution.
Search the conversation
Engage a conversation with the people who are bullying you and try to find out why they are doing this. Try to explain how you feel about it. Sometimes jealousy or misunderstandings are the trigger for bullying behaviour. In some cases, the perpetrators have also been victims themselves.
What else can I do?
Try to act confidently. Someone who looks strong on the outside is less likely to be a victim than someone with their head and shoulders down.
Yes, you may feel a bit like an actor at first, but over time you will discover that you can also do better. Try to keep in mind the things you are particularly good at and think about the things that other people are not so good at. Be proud of what you can do.
There is nothing worse for a bully than a person who is confident. The aggressor draws strength from the presumed weakness of the victim.
Imagine the situations and your reactions
When you are at home, remember situations where you have been bullied. How would you have liked to have reacted? What would you have liked to have said to the person(s)?
Go over the situation again and again in your mind. This will help you implement the desired response at that moment. Knowing how we want to react in certain situations enables us to relieve some stress and feel more confident.
When someone attacks you with words
If you are insulted, pretend you did not hear or understand them.
Practice using sentences as short as “if you think so”, “could be” or “if it makes you happy”, turn around and walk away. Perhaps you played a reaction beforehand and can now formulate spontaneously.
When someone attacks you physically
Show the person the open palm and say “Stop. Enough”
Try to leave calmly here as well. If necessary, ask someone nearby for help.
The Asociación Nacional de Personas Obesas (ASEPO) is willing to help us to disseminate this project.