Have you or your child ever been called too fat, too short, too ugly or even too thin? What was your or your child’s reaction? Was it embarrassment, shame or depression? Have you seen others try to deal with similar circumstances? In order to help people who have been bullied by body shaming or “sizeism”, the Glastonbury Martin Luther King Community Initiative is sponsoring the Glastonbury Youth and Family Services as it presents “Bullying… with a Focus on Body Shaming” at the Welles-Turner Memorial Library Friends Room, on October 28 at 5:30 PM.

Among the topics to be discussed are:

• How is body shaming manifested?

• What is going through the minds of bullies?

• What emotions do bullies experience?

• What is going through the minds of victims?

• What emotions do victims experience?

• What are typical reinforcers for the bully? 

• What are typical reinforcers for gossiping?

• What micro-aggressions (subtle comments with a negative impact) are common?

The community conversation will also offer resources to assist victims of body shaming and bullying, as well as support parents, teachers, and other stakeholders. This event is free of charge. We invite you to participate and gain valuable strategies for effectively addressing these challenging situations. Please invite others who might benefit from this important event!

Robert Rader, President, on behalf of the Glastonbury Martin Luther King Community Initiative. To join our mailing list or to reach out to us, email glastonburymlkci@gmail.com.