Adults set example on bullying

Melania Trump recently started her “Be Best” campaign against cyberbullying. Her campaign focus may seem disingenuous, since her husband is known for his less than kind tweets and name calling, but it also may be her way of passively stating that she does not agree with his behavior.

Whether that is her intention or not, the message regarding cyberbullying is a good one and her desire for parents to monitor their children’s cyber interactions is a positive step.

However, I hope that parents can also bring to the attention of their children the adults use of cyberbullying and bullying. I watched the Netflix documentary “The Rachel Divide,” a documentary on Rachel Dolezal/Diallo, a Spokane woman who identifies as being black, and in the movie a woman states, “Everyone already hates you, so you might as well go on being yourself.”

The other night on the Seth Meyers’ “Late Night,” a comedian used Rachel Dolezal/Diallo as a punch line for a joke. If we do not want our children to bully, to make fun of or ridicule someone because of their looks/beliefs or actions, maybe we adults should stop it also and become aware and call attention to it. As adults we set the example.

Janice K. Simchuk, M.S.

Spokane