Not many people realize that words can be hurtful. What is
once said can never be taken back and is engraved in a person’s mind forever.
Bullying used to be about using physical force to harass
someone, but over the years, this atrocious act has also become about including
hurtful and derogatory words. Those who have never been bullied, will never understand
the pain the victim feels when they are constantly harried and barraged with
insults until they begin to believe them.
The sad truth of bullying is this: many victims develop low
self-esteem because they are placed in an environment where people are
constantly telling them they are worthless. Some wither away into loneliness
while others unfortunately resort to taking drastic steps such as self-harming.
Yes, it is unfortunate that words can hold such power to
destroy a person’s self-esteem forever and it doesn’t help that bullying
someone has become easier with social media. As there is a lack of moderators on
several popular sites, the bully usually gets away while the victim is left
with several hurtful messages and comments.
Cyber bullying is unfortunately convenient for the bully as
he also gets to hide behind a username to protect his identity. And the convenience
with which anyone can start a page or a group on Facebook doesn’t help, as it
has given bullies a platform to constantly harass their victims.
My book ‘Aadita’ was actually based on a few incidents of cyber
bullying, though I decided not to go into that much detail. This was because,
during my research I found horrific instances of bullying where the victims
ended up committing suicide.
The worst was the comments under each of these articles, shaming
the victim and calling them a loser for giving up so easily or for taking
someone’s words that seriously. What they will never understand is what it
feels like to feel all alone in a world where everyone is trying to make you
believe that you will never accomplish anything.
My heart goes out to those who could not stand the pressures
of bullying and I wish there were more people around them who encouraged their
growth and gave them courage.
In my book ‘Aadita’, the protagonist Raina does try to stand
up to her bully but realizes that she cannot win that easily. Her bully starts a
hate-blog after her where lies and disparaging comments and photoshopped
pictures are posted of her.
I hated writing the scene where Raina finds out about that
site, especially since she actually believed that she had stood up to her bully
and won. It breaks her completely along with the other instances that throw her
life into turmoil.
But this is a story and fiction, so she did find people who
stood with her instead of against her (I can only hope that happens in real
life as well). She does stand up to her bully once again and I can only hope that
I wrote that part as believable as possible.
In the end, I have to say that my book is essentially about
bullying and not all of it comes from Raina’s high school classmate. Sometimes
the people closest to you can be a bully and it takes great strength and
courage to rise against that.
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