What I could have done to stop Racial Bullying

In elementary school, my deskmate was a girl with darker skin. Unfortunately, in a society that often equates beauty with fairness, she was frequently given derogatory nicknames. Many classmates would call her “Blackie,” and other nicknames with the word “dark” or “black” and this constant teasing harms her self-esteem. She became very withdrawn, rarely speaking to anyone except for me and a few other girls who were kind to her.

During PE classes, she would hide in the shade, afraid that the sun would darken her skin even more, that makes her a bigger target for mockery. I remember once during a game of tag, when one of the boys called her the “shadow,” laughing at his own cruel joke. She was angry but said nothing, just walking away. As her friend, I did not react any but afraid of being teased as well. Although we spent our recess together, often sitting together and chatting, I avoided mentioning this topic. She confided in me that she felt invisible and wished people would see beyond her skin color, but I did not provide much comfort or support.

Reflecting on what I could have done differently as a bystander brings a mix of regret and understanding. At that age, standing up to bullies seemed daunting, and the fear of becoming a target myself often scared me. However, there are several actions I now realize I could have taken to make a difference. I could have spoken up against the bullying. Even simple statements like, “That’s not funny,” or “Stop it,” can disrupt the bully’s momentum and show support for the victim. By remaining silent, I inadvertently allowed the bullying to continue unchecked.

Moreover, I could have involved adults more actively. Teachers and school counsellors need to be made aware of the severity of the bullying. While they might see it as harmless teasing, but explaining the emotional and psychological impact on my friend could have led to more serious intervention.