What began as a protest against bullying started by two students in Nova Scotia has grown into a worldwide event highlighting compassion, inclusiveness and self-esteem. Students in School District 47 have many events planned for Pink Shirt Day in BC, which takes place Wednesday, February 28, and also during the days leading up to it.
At Henderson Elementary School every student received a plain t-shirt to tie-dye pink.
“It’s a whole day of kindness, caring and wearing the same thing together,” said Henderson principal Kristen Brach. "We picked this rather than a commercial shirt because they’re doing it together and everybody has the same thing. Nobody has to stress about looking for something pink to wear at home."
The fun day of tie-dyeing provided students an opportunity to reflect on what Pink Shirt Day means to them.
“If you wear a pink shirt you’re representing that the world can be a better place and we should have more respect for each other,” said Emmy-Lou Corbett, 12.
Students agreed the day is also a reflection of what society should be.
"Pink Shirt Day represents us all coming together and making the world better,” said Veda van Hees, 11. “It spreads kindness around the world and spreads awareness.”
Brach said the focus at her school among teachers and staff members is to encourage students to think of the positive aspects of the day. Rather than focusing on what they should not do, she said they reflect on how to make their school a better, kinder place for everyone by asking the kids what that would look like, and how they can work together to create it.
"Pink Shirt Day is an opportunity for the school to think about what they want their school to be like," said Brach.
At Edgehill Elementary School, students are encouraged to wear a pink shirt, but also to bring a vegetable to share for the school's annual Kindness Soup. They will cook together and eat as a school family in the gym.
James Thomson Elementary School students will be among groups of students heading to Max Cameron Theatre to take in a presentation by speaker David Roche.
Roche was born with a facial difference and travels around the world giving presentations and workshops that highlight his journey from shame to self-acceptance. He said he hopes students will leave with more empathy and compassion for others, but that must start with self acceptance.
"I would like them to get some practice in taking a second look at other people,” said Roche. “Even more importantly, I would like them to get encouraged to feel good about themselves."
Roche said movements such as Pink Shirt Day have gone a long way in changing the conversation around bullying among students and society as a whole.
"It's wonderful to see," he said. "One concrete example is how I see the culture in schools has changed. When I first started doing this work it was common when I entered a school and walked down the halls to receive stares and comments. That hardly ever happens now.”
Part of the change Roche sees in the school environment is more students looking out for one another and speaking up when they see someone being unfairly targeted.
“I hear more stories of students standing up for one another," said Roche. "It's not every student, but it doesn't have to be. Leaders are emerging."
Pink Shirt Day was born out of such action. Nova Scotia students David Shepherd and Travis Price witnessed a grade-nine boy being bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school and in response they purchased 50 pink tank tops and distributed them to every boy in their school.
The boys wore them together as an act of protest and solidarity and the bullies were not heard from again. The next year the event spread nationally.
Today countries around the world are organizing anti-bullying initiatives of their own, including Japan, New Zealand, China and Panama. Last year, people in almost 180 countries shared their support of Pink Shirt Day through social media posts and donations.
This year the event focuses on cyberbullying, which, according to the Pink Shirt Day organization, affects two-thirds of young people.
Changing behaviours always begins with listening, according to Roche.
"Listen to what students have to say about what they have learned and encourage them in their understanding. We can learn a lot from the Truth and Reconciliation movement,” he said. “Especially two things. One: tell your truth, and two: listen."
Roche said the power of community in bringing about positive change is something that cannot be underestimated. He said he has seen it in his own life and in positive stories from around the world.
“I have been carried on the shoulders of others,” he said. “Yes, it is important to change one's own attitude and to believe in oneself, but a huge amount of that happens as a result of relationship and community."
