Why I wore Purple yesterday

I live in a relatively Gay friendly area and I spent much of yesterday in  slightly more gay friendly city than the one I live in.  Just like last year, I found myself a little surprised that I didn't see anyone in Purple.  Now granted, both last year and this were my days off and I didn't spend much time out at all, so my exposure was limited.  But still, it made me wonder why this thing was that was so important to me obviously wasn't as important to others.  So I thought I'd take a moment to really lay out why I thought Spirit Day was important enough to participate in.

I wore Purple yesterday because bullying must end.  Like Tomorrow
I wore Purple yesterday because bullying isn't just in Schools.  It's in adults, in workplaces, in politics, in foreign policy, in advertising, on the internet, and on the TV.
I wore Purple yesterday because when kids (LGBT or otherwise) start committing suicide because of bullying, we *have* to take a stand as a society we must listen to the message they are sending.
     By the by, I know the suicides due to bullying are not new, they are just now being publicized.  So?  Now       that they are don't you think we need to start paying attention and help the kids we still can?
I wore Purple yesterday because I fear I may have been one.  I honestly can't remember a bully in my childhood and school days and I wonder if that meant that I was one.
I wore Purple yesterday because Peace and Kindness begin within.  As within so without, and I know I can't expect people to behave better to each other if I don't behave better too.

As a slight aside, I really don't think Zero Tolerance on bullying is the answer.  We have to teach all kids they are worthy of love and support, and that we expect good and kind behavior from all of them.  Kicking them out for bullying doesn't teach them they are good and worthy, it teaches them they are hopeless.  There must be ways to keep kids safe from bullies, without bullying the bully.

I wore Purple yesterday because bullying--every kind and flavor--must end, within, without, and everything in between.

Be kind, today and everyday.