Pink Shirt Day was inspired by two Nova Scotia high school students who organized their fellow students to wear pink in support of a Grade 9 boy who was being bullied for wearing a pink shirt.
On Wednesday, Feb. 23, you can show your support for welcoming, caring, respectful, safe, and inclusive school communities by wearing a pink shirt. It is a day to encourage everyone to stand up to bullying when they see it in schools, communities, workplaces, at home and online.
This year’s theme, #BeKindAB, urges everyone to be inclusive, welcoming and supportive to others. Building healthy relationships is one of the best ways to prevent bullying and create safe environments.
Promoting inclusion is something that occurs in our school everyday. We remain committed to advancing equity and antiracism within the school system through the work of CBE CARES (Collaboration for Anti-Racism and Equity Supports). This requires continuous work that requires open conversation with staff, students, and community. Let’s take care of one another and promote healthy relationships.
"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…[They] took a stand against bullying when they protested against the harassment of a new grade 9 student by distributing pink T-shirts 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.
Globe and Mail, 13 October 13 2007