The Nelson Public Library goes pink this February.
In observance of Pink Shirt Day — a day of awareness and action to stop bullying — the library invites anyone who cares about this social problem to come out to a special event called Pink Words: Writers Against Bullying on Tuesday, February 25 at 7 p.m. On February 26, official Pink Shirt Day, look for special displays and a chance for pink-shirt-wearers to enter a draw for a prize.
Pink Words brings together adult and youth writers who care about bullying in a special evening of readings and refreshments.
Authors include children’s author Cyndi Sand-Eveland, who deals with the subject in her books Dear Toni, and A Tinfoil Sky. Poet Jane Byers shares her writing about homophobia, and Anne DeGrace reads from the story Normal in her novel Flying with Amelia, a fictionalized account of a real event from her childhood.
The names of the youth writers from L.V. Rogers High School are still to be announced, but their voices are essential in an event about bullying. News reports of the sometimes tragic results of bullying — from schoolyard to cyberspace — illustrate how harmful it is, especially to young people. Admission is by donation, with all proceeds to benefit the Nelson and District Youth Centre.
“It’s good to draw attention to this pervasive problem,” says NDYC Coordinator Christine Schmidt. “The Youth Centre works hard to stop bullying wherever we see it, and to empower kids to take a stand. It’s great to be a part of this event.”
Pink Shirt Day began as a protest against an incident that occurred in a Nova Scotia high school in 2007. When a male student was bullied for wearing a pink shirt, students David Shepherd and Travis Price bought and distributed 50 pink shirts — and a movement was born.
The full story can be found at pinkshirtday.ca.