Bullying can happen anywhere – at school, at home, in the workplace – and to anyone of any age or race.
Whistler-based songwriter Paul Hookham was inspired by his own personal experience with bullying to write a song called ‘Stand On My Own’. His aim is to let victims of bullying know they should not lose hope, no matter how hard that might be.
“There is help out there that can bring the bullying to an end whether it’s family or friends,” said Hookham. “Bullying is intended to make you feel weak, the song strives to make you feel strong.”
Hookham said most of us have been bullied in some way, or been the target of prejudice.
“Stand On My Own represents that moment when there is no other course of action than to let the perpetrator know that we’re going to stand up to them and that we’re not afraid,” said Hookham.
The song is written from the perspective of the victim, and explains the bully is only acting aggressively because they have been hurt.
“I think there’s a certain maturity and strength to that knowledge,” said Hookham.
Written and recorded in the last month with the help of Skype and email, as collaborators were in different locations, ‘Stand On My Own’ features Hookham, Ryan Hoyle, Jon Button, Rudy Haeusermann, and Marlon O’Reilly.
February 27 is Pink Shirt Day, started six years ago, to encourage everyone to take a stand against bullying.
Listen to the song below or download it from SoundCloud:
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