Alye Pollack's Anti-Bullying Video: Conn. Eighth Grader's Message Strikes A Chord

For eighth-grade Connecticut student Alye Pollack, daily life at Bedford Middle School involves being tormented and called names by her classmates.

The relentless teasing has made Pollack depressed; she has even considered cutting to cope with the pain.

Pollack took to YouTube to share her experiences and a very personal message against bullying, WTNH reports.

The video has gone viral, drawing the attention of news outlets and viewers across the country. CBS featured Alye's story in a segment on "The Early Show," asking middle school students to share their reactions to the video.

One student said,

"It's a huge problem because bullying is all over America, all over the world really if you think about it, so it's going to be a hard thing to stop."

Because bullying is so widespread, it's easy to see how Pollack's words have struck a chord nationwide. As of April 1, the video has been watched over 280,000 on YouTube.

In an interview with WTNH, Pollack shared her astonishment that the video has reached such a huge audience. She said she expected 200 views -- at most.

Pollack told WTNH she's already seen the impact that her words have had on her fellow students,

"I've had a lot of people come up to me and say, 'I know not to say bad things. I think before I say something.' And that's just amazing, because [they] actually are being affected by my video."

WATCH:

Comments

[pavlovskat]

10:02 PM on 05/09/2011

Alye, do not give up. You will eventually be the winner. Your video is bound to help. Just never believe anything they say about you. Bullies are looking for a reaction-don't give it to them- other than resporting them. You are so talented and attractive. Hang in there

[MelodieSays]

04:40 PM on 05/09/2011

brave child... you have something they do not have. You have Light that shines through, even in the darkest hour. You also have something else They can never have... You have YOU. I can see You, and You are Beautiful.

[Azual]

07:13 PM on 04/09/2011

I'm so saddened that this young lady has had to go through this every day for two years, bullying really does need to be taken more seriously by the schools, my advice to her would be to make use of two simple words "Sure am" I know thats bad advice, but if YOU know you arn't the things they call you, I find agreeing with their childish insults usually leaves them nowhere to go, they will notice that it doesn't bother you, may not be the best advice but it does work fairly well, as for having 4 friends, that is nothing to be ashamed of, sad truth is after highschool you tend to drift apart anyway, 4 close friends since middleschool will be lifelong friends.

[Hlynn]

11:07 AM on 04/07/2011

Brilliant. Poignant. I'm glad this is getting so much attention and helping others as well as Alye. The problem is the schools have so little power to do anything about it. As her sign states, she is often in the counselor's office, but is hasn't helped. Counselors can't stop bullies. Neither can the principal or superintendent. Not without the backing of the parents of the bullies. Students know school staff can't make them do anything or stop them from doing anything. Parents have to be held accountable for their own children's words and actions. Parents and school staff have to work together to stop bullying. I hope Alye will make another video showing that her efforts had good results for herself and others. Schools need to have no tolerance for bullying, but so do parents. There is a good article in the April 2011 of Redbook magazine about how former bullies (now grown) regret what they did. Victims need help and bullies need to be stopped, and they both need the guidance and support of adults (parents and school) to help them not have bad experiences and memories of either being bullied or being bullies. As adults, that is our job--to help young people through their childhood and teenage years so they have have good futures with as few scars and regrets as possible.

[Sam Salinitis]

09:24 PM on 04/06/2011

i teared. sad.

[Moshe]

02:34 PM on 04/06/2011

Bullying is about hurting others to feel better about yourself; the rush of power that comes from dominating and humiliating another human being. To some people this is like an addictive drug.

The damage this does to everyone, the bully, the bystanders, and especially the victim, is devastating and sometimes deadly. And always senseless and unnecessary.

Adults need to step up and be the adults, setting appropriate limits and teaching appropriate social conduct, including appropriate consequences for bullies.

And adults need to end these practices among adults as well.

Show me a school where bullying is tolerated among children, and I will show you a school run by adult bullies who bully their faculty as well.

That is an unhealthy social culture that is harming everyone and wasting our money and children's educational opportunities.

Treating other human beings with disrespect is never acceptable, so we must never accept it.

Stand together in demanding respect, safety, and human dignity for everyone.

[PaganDancer]

07:28 PM on 04/04/2011

This beautiful young lady's message cuts right to the chase, says it beautifully and with grace. She will be a much better adult than those who think calling her names and bullying her is such good fun.

Any and all comments (haven't read them all) that go on about bullying being part of growing up, or it's not a big deal... I would wager you were either the bullies, or one of their sycophantic pack members.

[LabRat]

05:41 PM on 04/04/2011

Remarkably effective. This young lady has terribly effective communication skills. From the music to the words and placards to her expressions. Well done.

I kind of lost it when she asked if it was going to get worse in High School.

[MadxAsxHell]

04:45 PM on 04/04/2011

Wow! What an amazing brave girl!
Bullying is as old as the hills and ALL the schools have done is take tools to fight it away from the victims. We seem so shocked when a Columbine happens and the bullied come back with guns, destroying other lives and their own.
My son was bullied and he couldn't fight back for fear of getting in trouble. If someone pushes you or hits you and you clock him, YOU are in trouble! They rendered him defenseless saying he should tell a playground aide. He did and what did she say? "You have to work it out yourself."

If a kid is pushing you, hitting you and you aren't allowed to hit back, how the HELL are you supposed to "work it out"????

Years later when a bullied kid reacted really, REALLY badly (luckily no one was hurt), my son was THE ONLY KID who stood up for him, and asked what could be done to help. The only one. I've never been prouder.

That this brave girl's video has gone viral is a good thing.

Young lady, you have saved more kids more pain and more harm than you can imagine. If you prevented just ONE other kid from being bullied it would be a blessing, but you have helped thousands. You should be proud of yourself and of your courage. Words do hurt, but now you know you are truly better than those kids. They know it, too.

[Godheard SentU]

09:41 PM on 04/07/2011

Good Point! Did you know that teachers in the Great State of Colorado still practice Corporal Punishment and the school mascot is a man holding a rifle (Rebels). They have a life size statue in the lobby of the school.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/09/marc-ecko-corporal-punishment_n_833623.html
http://unlimitedjustice.com
http://www.acolumbinesite.com/columbine.html
http://www.bullyonline.org/schoolbully/

[The Rokk]

04:24 PM on 04/04/2011

As we can see from this amazing young womans video school bullying policies are a joke they were a joke when I was in school and are even more laughable now. When I was in school and again in the schools my children have attended If bullied student sticks up for themselves they are the one that gets in trouble i.e. suspended, writen up or some other punishment. Then the bleeding heart administration that just punished the bullied can't understand why children won't come forward.

[hismuse]

12:28 PM on 04/04/2011

I remember feeling like that when I was in school and thought of suicide many times, luckily I didn't. I know the pain and rage that come from this. Not every kid is automatically tough, took me years to thicken my skin enough to deal with the outside world.

[Had It]

02:20 AM on 04/04/2011

I work at a public school and have never turned away from any student needing help from being bullied, harassed,shamed, or threatened. We spend a lot of time dealing with bulling and harassment of students and the damage it does. My own two sons were harassed in school every time I turned around. The most effective way to stop the predatory behavior of these morally bankrupt students was to show up at all of their schools (K-12) demanding to talk to the teacher, dean, assistant principal, guidance counselor, or principal. By the time my oldest son was in high school, I told the P. E. teacher I would be contacting a lawyer the very next day and be suing the parents of the tormentors for every dime they had. It had occurred to me that the only thing irresponsible parents would understand was money being removed from their pocketbooks by the legal system. The very next day my son got an apology and a hand shake. The student bullying my son was never to come back to that school. Being older and wiser for my younger son who was also harassed, all that was needed was to mention getting an attorney. The results were the harassment stopped and he too got apologies. My heart aches for Alye. Schools across this country should be showing the video of this brave young woman in every classroom.

[Godheard SentU]

10:41 AM on 04/04/2011

Parents, Students and Attorneys need your help IMMEDATELY!

What school district has a set Practice and Policy for addressing Bullying?
Is it backed up by local, state or federal laws?
Did the P.E teacher escort you to the principals office?
What documentation were you required to fill out?
Was the teachers union involved?
What was the grounds for a lawsuit against the parents & school based on?
How exactly was the Bully removed from the school?
Was the local or state police involved?
Which Teachers Union represents the district?

Please provide as much info. as possible!

http://www.bullyonline.org/schoolbully/school.htm

[cgin]

10:48 PM on 04/03/2011

Tears are rolling down my face as write this to beautiful Alye: I know it takes a lot of courage to share your pain publicly, especially at your tender age. But, let me tell you that by sharing your story publicly, you‘re not only helping yourself heal, you’re helping all other kids that are also suffering the same torment but in silence. I would had loved to have had my daughter seen this video when she was going through her ordeal. It helps tremendously to know you’re not alone. My heart cries out for you and your family. The one sure thing I can tell you though is that it does get better, Alye; it truly does.

[SageSpencer]

07:27 PM on 04/03/2011

Dear Alye Pollack:

Oh sweetie, my heart breaks for you.

I hope millions of people will see your video. Your raw honesty was very beautiful and I commend you for telling your truth. I hope the telling helped. I hope it has empowered you. I hope your bullies see it and are moved to stop hurting you.

I hope your principal has acted. I will be writing or calling (I have not decided yet) your Principal Bell tomorrow.

All your bullies are wrong Alye. You are none of those labels. You are beautiful!

Sincerely,
Sage Spencer



Bedford Middle School
88 North Avenue, Westport, CT 06880-2721 [phone]


Principal Bell and other contact numbers:

http://bms.westport.k12.ct.us/BMSWebsite/phone.htm


Westport School Districts Bullying Policy:

http://www.westport.k12.ct.us/media/policies/prohibition_against_bullying_5131.911_revised_8.25.2008.pdf

[ELGUAPO77]

06:42 PM on 04/03/2011

Tremendous Courage. I hope things get better for her and i hope her Principal saw this video.