I was extremely touched by this video, as were my friends on Facebook and many others who have commented on YouTube. Many anti-bullying organizations and campaigns have taken different approaches to spreading awareness and getting the word out on how bullying affects kids today. Popular campaigns have consisted of celebrities talking about how they were bullied in school and were able to overcome adversity in order succeed. Even though we love our celebrities, they still don't seem like real people for a multitude of reasons. We can't always relate to them due to their fame. That's why real, authentic videos like the one above are just so much more powerful. As far as I know, this boy uploaded this video on his own—not as a part of a campaign or because a non-profit organization asked him to do so.
With that said, non-profit organizations should be aware of what is going on, especially on the internet. An anti-bullying organization should respond to this video in a helpful and powerful way. In no way am I suggesting that this boy's misery be used to make an organization look good. Instead, I'm saying that an anti-bullying non-profit that is truly committed to its mission is responsible for supporting kids in such situations and should use this opportunity to make a difference. That's the case for all non-profits. If there's a current hot topic (especially a viral video) related to your non-profit's mission or cause, it would be a mistake to ignore it. That would be like the American Red Cross not responding to the natural disaster in New Orleans. With controversial hot topics, one should obviously assess the situation and be careful before getting involved. However, when there's a situation that directly coincides with what it is that your organization is about, then absolutely get involved right away.
I haven't seen a bigger or better sign of someone asking for help than this video. I'm sure that plenty on anti-bullying non-profits have just the resources and contacts to help this boy out. Have you heard of any anti-bullying organizations directly responding? Let me know by commenting below.
