Pink Shirt Day is celebrated annually around the globe on February 27. On this day we put lights on the issue like bullying, we wear pink to practice kindness and to symbolize that you do not tolerate bullying. Pink Shirt Day aim is to raise awareness on these issues and raise funds to support the program that takes care of a child’s self-esteem.
Pink Shirt Day: Why do we celebrate it?
It is an international day against bullying Discrimination, Homophobia, Transphobia, AND Transmisogyny across the world. On this day we celebrate by wearing a pink shirt and by organizing activities in their workplaces, schools, and communities.
How did it start?
The Pink shirt day moment first takes place in small-town Nova Scotia Canada. Here is a snippet of an article detailing the original statement.
“David Shepherd, Travis Price and their teenage friends organized a high-school protest to wear pink in sympathy with a Grade 9 boy who was being bullied [for wearing a pink shirt]…[They] took a stand against bullying when they protested against the harassment of a new Grade 9 student by distributing pink T-shirts to all the boys in their school. ‘I learned that two people can come up with an idea, run with it, and it can do wonders,’ says Mr. Price, 17, who organized the pink protest. ‘Finally, someone stood up for a weaker kid.’ So Mr. Shepherd and some other headed off to a discount store and bought 50 pink tank tops. They sent out message to schoolmates that night, and the next morning they hauled the shirts to school in a plastic bag. As they stood in the foyer handing out the shirts, the bullied boy walked in. His face spoke volumes. ‘It looked like a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders,’ Mr. Price recalled. The bullies were never heard from again.”
— GLOBE & MAIL
After the incident, Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald proclaimed the second Thursday of September “Stand Up Against Bullying Day” in recognition of these events.
In 2008, Premier of British Columbia, Gordon Campbell proclaimed February 27 to be the provincial anti-bullying day.
In 2012 US declare May 4 as Anti -Bullying Day.
Many countries in the world now organizing anti-bullying fundraisers of their own, like Japan, New Zealand, China, Panama, and others. In fact last year almost 180 countries participated in the movement through social media posts and donations. Since 2008, net proceeds of over$1.8 million have been distributed to support youth anti-bullying programme in British Columbia and throughout Western Canada. In 2018, the foundation is able to support programs that impacted more than 59000 youth and children.
Activities you can do on Pink Shirt Day
Sea of pink
Fill out your school or organization in pink to show you are committed to stopping bullying. Order an official Pink Shirt Day t-shirt from their official website.
Spread Aroha!
Create a ‘compliments box’ for your classroom or workplace and encourage people to leave compliments for each other.
Hold a pink event
Create an event on this day by ordering free pink shirt day mufti -day pack or workplace morning tea pack with posters, stickers, balloons and more.
Run a Fundraiser
it is a huge boost to the Pink Shirt Day campaign. You can donate money by going on their official site so they can help children and youth.
