A Kinder, Gentler World

Much Respect and Props to Hershey High students for this bold initiative!  

[See below article for details]

Spreading Awareness and Education are the key to ending Bullying and increasing Sensitivity and Tolerance toward others. Our similarities as human beings are stronger than our superficial differences! Expressing the benefits of "Inclusion" through creativity and art is an effective means to teach others and spread awareness in a non-threatening manner. Often the effects of being "preached to" yield unintended results and resistance, especially in the teenage population who are typically hostile and rebellious toward direct authoritarian methods of [re]direction. This "hands-on" approach is inclusive and experiential as students participate in and focus on a shared activity with a common goal. I hope that more schools and programs will follow suit with similar initiatives to address issues related to social diversity and exclusive thinking such as intolerance, hatred, prejudice, bullying, racism, equal rights, immigration, poverty stigma, socio-economics (class discrimination) and other such forms of discrimination. Because prejudice and discrimination are acquired beliefs and behavior respectively, based on "Us vs Them" thinking and fueled by learned stereotypes, we must begin by addressing the misinformation. We must attack the problem at its source, replacing the underlying Ignorance and Fear that foster an attitude of EXclusion, with Education, Awareness and Tolerance to change core thinking and foster an attitude of INclusion. There is no better way to change negative thoughts to positive, than by creating positive experiences that challenge and counter old thoughts and behaviors. Learning through personal experience, replacing ignorance with hands-on knowledge, paired with Cognitive Restructuring through role-playing and repetition, is our most effective tool to Unlearn fear-based thoughts and assumptions. 

Perhaps a kinder, gentler world, united in peace and our common humanity, is indeed a possibility for future generations. 

~ Lisa Pearlman  5/16/14              

Hershey High Students Render Inclusive Art Work - abc27 WHTM

Photo courtesy of ABC-27 News

Bullying: Apathy Gone Viral (Bystander Apathy Revisited)

Familiarity breeds Contempt, as well as Apathy. Apathy is a chronic, contagious, life-threatening disease that spreads quickly and quietly, a progressive plague of epic proportions, striking fear in the hearts of those few who are immune to the effects of its deadening poison. Like a wild fire in the wind, airborne pollutants spewing haphazardly, so are the infectious germs of Apathy out of control, a conflagration of random mutations, growing and multiplying. Without quarantine or containment, "Apathy Gone Viral" breeds and enslaves the ideal host from which Bullies germinate, infect and feed. An ongoing cycle of recontamination ensures a grim prognosis, as Bullying continues to flourish, thrive and victimize. Like the Phoenix rising forth from the ashes, so is the Bully empowered by the smoldering embers of Apathy. Victims are a natural by-product of Apathy, as well. Whether Bully or Victim, each is grown from the same seed. Apathy is the seed, that mutates into Bully or Victim. Apathy is the germ, that must be eradicated from the environment, that human beings must be vaccinated against, in order to put an end to this horrific epidemic called BULLYING. We must arrest this plague before it claims more hearts, minds and lives of our young, promising leaders of tomorrow and benefactors of the future.

© Lisa Pearlman 10/31/12

Does Meditation Have a Place in Education?

Recently I read an article in the Huffington Post about introducing the practice of Meditation into the schools. I think this measure would be the single most important step taken in education to ensure our children enter adulthood as well-adjusted, compassionate, enlightened beings, equipped to face the challenges of a turbulent, fast-paced, rapidly changing world and its uncertain future. Especially with the prevalence of bullying and peer pressure in the schools, negativity is infecting the hearts and minds of today’s youth, tomorrow’s leaders. Meditation is a positive activity that will enable students to rise above the negativity and accept experience for what it is: temporary, fleeting, impermanent…while their essence or core remains calm, grounded and undisturbed. Rather than reacting emotionally they will learn to pause, reflect and respond mindfully. They will become stronger, healthier individuals, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Meditation is not religious or patriotic in any way…it does not represent any socio-economic class, subsection of society or cultural group…it is accessible by and available to everyone equally.

© Lisa Pearlman 8/30/12

(photo credit unknown source on web)