There is now a bill in the Rhode Island House to address bullying in schools.
“Bullying in all forms is awful, but it is even more heinous when it’s based on personal identity. Attacking someone because of their race, religion or sexual orientation is hateful, plain and simple,” said Representative Mia Ackerman (D-Dist. 45, Cumberland, Lincoln). “We need to do more than just tell students this behavior is unacceptable: we need to show them why discrimination is so harmful and provide an opportunity for them to learn.”
It would establish a program in which a student found to have engaged in bullying based on ethnicity, race, religion or sexual orientation would have to perform community service.
The sponsor of the bill, Cumberland State Representative Mia Ackerman, said more must be done than simply telling a student their behavior is unacceptable.
(Photo: Rhode Island House of Representatives)