Putting an End to Name-Calling

Dominick DeRanieri and other juniors participate in the No Name-Calling discussion at The Briarwood School. (Photo: Mrs. Cindy Price)

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Name-calling has been going on for centuries, and it often escalates out of ignorance. To fight this unfortunate trend, Briarwood’s Middle-Upper school dedicated an entire week to No Name-Calling Education.

Each grade level, 7th through 12th, met separately to discuss what name-calling does to people and how it impacts their lives after being called hurtful names. Sometimes people, especially teenagers, don’t understand how cruel some names and words can actually be, even if it’s just something as little as referring to someone’s action as dumb. 

To start the No-Name Calling event, each student was asked to complete a questionnaire about names they’ve been called and negative experiences they have had related to name-calling. Each group then discussed their responses and created “Think Twice” plans for the future. The senior class discussion allowed for more mature sharing. We heard stories from some of the teachers that shocked us; finding out that the teachers we look up to and admire have gone through some of the same negative experiences we have was eye-opening.

After hearing comments and stories, we ended the activity with an evaluation. One of the questions asked, “Do you think having this activity will put an end to name-calling?” I answered honestly on the survey and said no. Name-calling won’t stop. The tune was wrong: “names will hurt me.” It’s how society is and as long as society keeps saying it’s acceptable, then nothing will change… unless we make direct attempts to put an end to it, like we did here at Briarwood.