Inclusivity. Defined as the practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized.

This is a virtue that should shine in everyone at FMHS whether students or staff. Unfortunately, I’ve seen many situations where students are mistreated and excluded for many reasons. I’ve even experienced it myself.

Every day, I see people being pushed around, excluded and yelled at. The foul language I hear is used as a weapon to harm people considered to be different or “weird”, and to get a laugh out of peers. It is an ongoing problem in the school, and something has to change.

When asked if they’d witnessed any bullying recently,Olivia King and Sadie Knight stated that in one instance, a boy went around with a can of axe body spray, spraying it at people and telling them they smell bad.

I have also been at the receiving end of this issue, and it isn’t fun. My partner and I were walking to the buses, and a person decided to shout hateful and prejudiced things at us, in an attempt to amuse his friends at our expense. She and I ended up almost missing the bus as a result. It was cruel and rude, and soiled the afternoon.

All in all, this behavior isn’t at all kind. It can cause people’s mental health and safety to decline, along with lowering the quality of our school. Being small-minded and unkind can be hurtful. Be kind to others, and set a good example for the rest to follow. Make FMHS a safer place. Maybe compliment someone, or help out a friend, or just clean something up. That’s all it takes to make a difference.