Mayor John Tory proclaimed Wednesday as Pink Shirt Day in Toronto.
On the last Wednesday of February, many cities around Canada celebrate Pink Shirt Day to raise awareness against bullying in schools, workplaces, homes, and online.
This year’s theme, Lift Each Other Up, is centred around the ideas of diversity, inclusion and acceptance and is celebrated on Feb. 23.
Tory used his Twitter account to share a message proclaiming the day.
“Today, we recognize Pink Shirt Day, where we collectively come together to promote anti-bullying efforts,” he wrote.
How did Pink Shirt Day start?
According to the organization’s website, it all started as an act of kindness in 2007 in Nova Scotia, when Grade 12 students David Shepherd, Travis Price and a few friends saw that a Grade 9 student was being bullied for wearing a pink shirt.
They decided to buy pink shirts and distribute them to other students to wear and support the Grade 9 student.
Price and Shepherd’s act has turned into what is now known as Pink Shirt Day. Since then, the idea has only grown each year, with worldwide support and participation.
According to the organization, people in almost 180 countries shared their support of Pink Shirt Day through social media posts and donations.
In 2020 alone, the organization helped programs that impacted more than 59,000 youth and children.
Shirley Herrera said her nine-year-old son knows that Pink Shirt Day is an important day for those who have been bullied or are currently being bullied and that it is a reminder to be kind to other children.
“Pink Shirt Day did help my child understand more about bullying by having an open conversation at school and home about the importance of not being a bystander,” Herrera told Humber News.
“Having conversations about bullying not only should be done on Pink Shirt Day, it’s important to have them often with your child.”
Herrera thinks schools should have more conversations with students about bullying, like having assemblies and guest speakers to share their stories.
“Many kids, youth and even adults go through a bullying experience, and some end up with a negative outcome, unfortunately. I strongly believe principals, teachers, and staff can do much better at being active advocates for their students,” she said.
A report by the U.S. based National Center for Educational Statistics shows that one in five students in that country reported being bullied, and 41 per cent thought the bullying would happen again.
Pink Shirt Day also brings awareness against bullying in the workplace.
Kelly Rudyk told Humber News that he left his job of 29 years because of a bully who didn’t accept his ideas.
Rudyk reported the issue, but said not enough attention or importance was placed on his complaint, so he decided to pursue other job opportunities.
“I saw no fix on the horizon,” Rudyk said.
Now he shares his story to encourage people who are experiencing bullying in the workplace.
“My situation is likely minor compared to others out there. Once I decided to value my mental health, after some initial anxiety, I have been in an amazing place. Emphasizing my overall wellbeing has been an enormous part of that,” Rudyk said.
Donations in support of the Pink Shirt Day can be made on the website, and merchandise is available for sale through their retail partner in B.C., London Drugs and their online store.