By Sam Borsato - @BorsatoSam on Twitter

Local organizations opening conversations to end bullying, discrimination

Feb 22, 2017 | 2:50 PM

LETHBRIDGE – All Lethbridge community members are invited to come together against bullying and discrimination on Wednesday (Feb. 22).

The anti-bullying Pink Shirt Day campaign, that will see people across the country wearing pink shirts as a symbol of their solidarity, takes place every year on the last Wednesday of February. It’s something the Boys and Girls Club of Canada has always been closely tied to, according to Byron Dent, youth services director at the Lethbridge club.
 
But a group of local kids decided to put their own signature on it.
 
“About five years ago, the youth who come to our youth drop in centre, they wanted to adopt Pink Shirt Day as their own,” Dent explained in an interview with Lethbridge News Now.
 
“The way they figured they could do that was by writing ‘I stand against’ on the back of their hands in Sharpie to show that — on the same day as Pink Shirt Day — they take a public stand against bullying.”
 
That idea has since transformed into a public event to “shine the light on some of the dark places in Lethbridge”, and begin an open conversation to end all forms of bullying, in Dent’s own words.
 
The fourth annual “I Stand Against – Racial and Cultural Discrimination” event will celebrate diversity alongside other local non-profit organizations that create safe spaces for all cultures and races, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Multicultural Centre. Dent says there will be plenty of guest speakers, workshops, food and fun to enjoy.
 
“The best way that we can help end abuse and discrimination for our young people is to not be afraid to talk about it, not be afraid to address the issue, not be afraid to make sure that our youth feel empowered to be able to stand up for themselves and stand up for their peers,” he added.
 
Even if you don’t plan on attending, Dent encourages everyone to do just as the kids did, and write “I Stand Against” on the back of your hand and post a photo to social media, using #IStandAgainst.
 
He also had this simple message he hopes everyone will take to heart this Pink Shirt Day.
 
“I honestly just want people to see the extreme wonderfulness that comes with diversity and cultural awareness, and just really accepting and realizing the humanity of each and every person here in Lethbridge.”