WASHINGTON, D.C. — Young voices filled the air as they stood on the steps of the National Mall on Tuesday. Youth delegates of the Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission from the Pine Bluff, Little Rock and Stuttgart school districts and youth advocates gathered for an anti-bullying rally.
The event, organized by AMLKC Executive Director DuShun Scarbrough, aimed to raise awareness about the devastating impact of bullying by putting the subject on a national stage.
Speakers at the rally, many of them students who have personally experienced bullying, shared heartbreaking stories of isolation, fear and the long-term consequences of harassment. Adults who spoke had also endured bullying, and their narratives painted a stark picture of the ongoing crisis affecting countless young lives across America.
“With bullying, it makes you feel like you don’t matter and it makes you feel like you’re at the lowest part of your life,” said 15-year-old Raylei Reed of Pine Bluff. Her voice echoed through the bullhorn as she talked about when she was bullied, which made her feel like her life wasn’t worth living. Reed conveyed her perception of being made to feel inferior and emphasized that bullying constitutes a form of violence that leaves lasting psychological wounds that may be far more profound than any physical injury.
“What you have to realize is that people have issues and because they can’t really deal with their issues at the house or they can’t deal with their issues like they want to, they take it out on other people,” said Reed, who became emotional. “They feel as if they feel low they should make you feel low and they don’t realize that words do hurt and words do have a very powerful impact on people.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Passersby stopped to hear Reed’s message, and other students at the memorial joined the gathering of student advocates. Among the Chicago-based students who joined the Arkansas delegates, many disclosed having been victims of bullying. Some also admitted to having engaged in bullying behavior in the past.
“Bullying itself is more of an insecurity and it has to change because people don’t really understand that words hurt and things that you do, do stain,” continued Reed, whose words were met with spirited applause from the crowd.
At the anti-bullying rally, PBHS senior Takirah Rodgers took the spotlight and shared her journey from being bullied to becoming a bully herself. The students’ signs, which conveyed messages like “Bully Free Zone” and “Stop the Violence,” created a powerful backdrop for Rodgers’ remarks.
“Words do impact people. Half of my behavior that I do have today, like catching attitudes with people or having anger issues, yelling at somebody … that came off the course of bullying,” she said. “I always got bullied because I never spoke up on what I wanted to say.”
Rodgers mentioned a transformation from being reserved and innocent to becoming more assertive. However, she later recognized that adopting a bullying persona was not necessary.
“I don’t let anyone bully me any more, but when I was being bullied they would say things like, she’s skinny, fragile, timid, ugly … go hit her,” she said. “One thing that you can do with bullying is try to find yourself within those insults.”
During the rally, attention was brought to systemic issues that contribute to bullying such as discrimination based on race, gender identity and disability.
Former Arkansas legislator Shane Broadway came out to support the rally and said he was proud to see the students take a stand for what was right. Broadway, who served as a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives and was speaker of the House, stressed the need for all students to feel safe and supported in schools.
Lanette Frazier, a member of the Pine Bluff City Council, expressed her overwhelming gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the anti-bullying tour to Washington.
“It is a privilege and an honor to join forces with fellow advocates in the fight against bullying of any kind,” she said. “Bullying is not just a problem, it’s an infliction that can leave lasting scars on individuals and communities. Every act of bullying chips away at the dignity and self-worth of its victims, leaving behind pain and trauma that can last a lifetime.”
Frazier expressed her belief that the chance to speak out and raise awareness about bullying on a national platform would ignite substantial change.
“Today, we stand united in our commitment to combat this injustice. We refuse to turn a blind eye to the suffering of others. We refuse to let fear and intimidation dictate our actions. Instead, we choose compassion, empathy and kindness,” Frazier said. “Together, we send a powerful message — bullying has no place in our schools, workplaces or society as a whole. We must strive to create environments where everyone feels safe, valued and respected.”
At the end of the rally, a march proceeded toward the Lincoln Memorial. This tribute honored the slain president who led the nation through the Civil War, resulting in the liberation of 4 million enslaved individuals.
“Today, we made our voices heard,” said PBHS senior Remeia Smothers, “but this is just the beginning. We won’t stop until every student feels safe and valued at school.”
As the sun set, a palpable sense of hope and resolve hung in the air. The day bore witness to a remarkable display of youth activism, reinforcing the unwavering commitment to a world free from bullying.
