A group of students at Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary are using YouTube to spread their anti-bullying message.
A boys leadership group called The Power of One stars in a short video that demonstrates the power of standing up for other students.
It was shown at school for Pink Shirt Day (Feb. 26), a day aimed at bringing awareness of bullying and the importance of working towards change.
It was directed, filmed, and shot by John Wu, student council co-president, who says he hopes it's worth sharing with the community because he believes it sends an important message.
The 5:45-minute video starts off in a classroom where a teacher begins by asking the boys to define "social responsibility" before asking them to get together in smaller groups. As the music starts to swell – a cover of Pink's 'Perfect' – we see one boy get left out. The teacher shakes his head in silent disapproval.
The camera then moves out into the halls of Lord Tweedsmuir school, where everyday scenes of adolescent life play out: a boy is shoved into a locker. Another tries sitting down with a group of students hanging out only to have everyone get up and leave.
A third looks crushed as he reads a flood of cruel comments after he posts a picture on Facebook.
It's just another ordinary day at high school until some of the students start recognizing the behavior for what it is – bullying in various insidious forms – and begin to intervene in small, meaningful ways. It ends with a call to action.
Wu, who also shot and directed a catchy Christmas video with fellow students in December, said the boys leadership group formed last spring. It was seen as a way to get boys more involved in school and community life outside sports.
Since then, the group put on a back-to-school barbecue at the beginning of the year, and has even organized a teacher appreciation day. Today (Feb. 27), they're giving tours to incoming Grade 7s.
The group calls itself the Power of One to show that members are part of a united group with a common goal of wanting to make a change in the school – and the community – despite their differences, and the power they gain by doing so.
"For example, making this video!" explained Wu.
To see it, click on this link or press play on the viewer embedded below.
– See related: 'A Christmas message from Lord Tweedsmuir'