When a Child Tries to Erase Their Skin Because of Bullying, Something Is Terribly Wrong—and We Can’t Stay Silent

 My name is Joshua, and I go to school like millions of other students. But each day, I witness something that doesn't belong in any classroom, hallway, or playground: bullying. Whether it's cruel jokes, exclusion, threats, or physical harm, it's happening more often than most people admit—and it hurts more than just feelings. It changes how kids see themselves, how they interact with others, and how they experience learning.

School is supposed to be a place of growth, discovery, and support. But when bullying exists, it turns school into a daily battle for some students—a place they dread rather than a place they feel safe. I've seen classmates who used to be confident now shrink into silence. I've seen students hesitate to enter rooms, to speak up, or to sit next to certain people, just to avoid being targeted. And I've seen teachers miss those signs completely.

Bullying doesn't just happen through words. It spreads in whispers, in teasing, in icy stares, in ignored greetings, and in mocking laughter. Sometimes it's loud and obvious, like pushing or shouting insults across the playground. Other times, it's quiet and invisible—like leaving someone out of a group, spreading rumors, or laughing behind someone's back. But no matter how it looks, it carries weight. It builds fear. It chips away at confidence. It stays in a person's mind long after the school bell rings.

I've seen the emotional toll firsthand. Some students stop raising their hands in class, even when they know the answer, because they're afraid someone will laugh. Others avoid showing enthusiasm or sharing ideas, worried they'll be called "weird" or "cringe." I've heard kids joke about others' clothes, their skin color, their accents, or their differences—but those jokes aren't funny. They hurt. And the kids who are targeted often don't say anything, because they think no one will listen—or worse, that speaking up will make things dreadful.

This isn't just about feelings. Bullying causes serious harm to mental health. It leads to anxiety, depression, stress, and in some cases, thoughts that no young person should ever have to face. And when bullying goes unchecked—when adults ignore it, when schools pretend it's not happening—it tells victims they don't matter. It tells bullies that their behavior is acceptable. And that cycle continues.

Adults often say bullying is just part of growing up. But cruelty is not a lesson we should learn. It's not a phase, and it's definitely not harmless. When children get bullied at a young age, those experiences can follow them for life. They can change how someone views friendship, relationships, trust, and self-worth. They can leave invisible scars that never fully heal. Pretending it's not a big deal doesn't protect anyone—it only lets it happen again.

When children are bullied at a young age, it can change the way they see the world—and themselves. Some end up repeating what was done to them, turning into bullies to feel stronger or more in control. It's a heartbreaking cycle: kids absorb cruelty and grow up thinking it's normal, just because that's what they lived through. Unless someone steps in to guide them with empathy and support, the same pain keeps passing from one person to the next. Ending bullying isn't just about helping victims—it's also about stopping future bullies before they form.

I also believe we need to look at the root. Some bullies are hurting too. They lash out because of their own pain, insecurity, or troubles at home. So while we absolutely need to stand up for victims, we also need to help the ones doing harm, before their behavior becomes permanent. That means not just punishment but intervention, guidance, and emotional support. Because if we don't break the cycle now, it just continues into adulthood—in workplaces, relationships, and entire communities.

Schools should be doing more. Every school should have clear rules about bullying—rules that are explained, repeated, and truly enforced. Students should feel safe reporting bullying without fear. Teachers should be trained not just to spot obvious signs, but the quieter ones too. Counseling should be available and accessible. Assemblies shouldn't be just about grades—they should be about empathy, kindness, and courage.

Parents play a role too. Families need to know what's happening at school, be part of the conversation, and take bullying seriously. If a child says they're being teased or excluded, that should never be brushed off. Every student deserves to be listened to, believed, and protected—no matter what. But too often, bullying is treated like drama or childish mischief when it's actually deeply damaging. Parents should work closely with schools to set the tone for respect, and ask questions—"Is my child safe?" "Are they treating others kindly?" "Are others treating them with care?"

I know what bullying feels like—not just as a witness, but as someone who went through it myself. For a long time, I tried to stay strong, but the constant teasing, isolation, and pressure wore me down. On top of that, I was discriminated against because of my skin colour. I was treated unfairly, judged differently, and made to feel like I didn't belong—just because of how I look. The pain of being targeted not only for how I acted, but simply for who I am, was something I carried every single day. It got to the point where I had to move to a different school just to find peace and safety. That decision wasn't easy, and no one should ever be forced to leave behind their friends and familiar classrooms because of bullying or discrimination. It's proof that this isn't just a school issue—it's a human issue, and it can change someone's entire life.

And silence aslo comes at a cost. Many students who are bullied start doubting themselves. Their grades slip. They lose interest in learning. They keep everything bottled up until it feels unbearable. Sometimes they stop attending school entirely. And sometimes—far too often—they start hurting themselves in ways that no one sees until it's too late.

Michael Jackson is one example of how deep emotional pain can shape a person's entire life. Even with incredible talent and fame, he was never free from judgment and ridicule. As a child, he was teased for his appearance and pressured to be perfect. As an adult, he faced constant bullying from the media and public, which may have influenced his decision to surgically change his appearance and lighten his skin—possibly in response to both vitiligo and the discrimination he faced. His story shows that even someone who seems to "have it all" can feel broken inside when the world refuses to accept them as they are.

I know the pain Michael Jackson felt, because I felt it too. Back when I was very young and being bullied at school—not just for how I acted, but for the color of my skin—I remember trying to rub my own skin off with an eraser, as if I could erase the part of me people treated like it didn't belong. I thought maybe if I made myself lighter, they'd finally accept me. I was just a kid, still learning who I was, and already trying to change myself just to feel safe. Looking back, it breaks my heart. But it also shows how deeply bullying and discrimination can get into a young mind. It's not just teasing—it's something that can make you question your own worth, your identity, and your right to simply exist as you are. Just like Michael Jackson, I tried to change myself because I didn't feel safe being me. No child should ever be made to feel that way.

I dream of a school where kindness is normal. Where standing up for someone isn't something rare—it's automatic. Where every person is treated with respect just because they exist. Where no one is scared to show who they really are, and where differences are celebrated, not punished.

This petition isn't just about rules—it's about changing the way we treat each other. It's about making sure no student ever feels like school is a battle they have to survive. It's about creating spaces where people grow stronger, not smaller.

You're probably wandering why this petition is so long. The answer is because the pain behind it is real, and the message deserves space to breathe. Every word reflects the truth of lived experiences—the emotions, the struggles, the lessons, and the hope. I didn't just want to ask for change—I wanted to show why it's needed, and let people truly understand what bullying and discrimination feel like from the inside. Some stories can't be told in a few lines. They need to be felt.

Please sign this petition. Let's put an end to bullying—not with silence, but with action. Let's protect the students who are hurting and guide the ones who have lost their way. Let's make school a place of light—not fear. Every signature matters, because every student matters. And it's time we proved it.

Thank you for reading.

—Joshua