Pink Shirt Day:How Bullies Made Me Gidge

posted by Gidge Uriza

When I was in High School, I was plagued by being smart enough to take classes ahead of my own grade level. My sophomore year I ended up in a Senior Level biology class, and had this misfortune to take a seat in the midst of three jock bullies on day one of class.

I should’ve known, should’ve switched seats when I heard one of them whisper “This chick looks smart, let’s get her at our table she can do all the work.”

And our teacher, intimidated by the fact that at 17 years old these mongrols were man sized – turned the cheek as week after week they harrassed and bullied me.  They would steal my work and copy it, break anything of mine they could get their hands on. They’d pull stools out from under me so that I’d fall when I tried to sit down, poke me with pins so that I would move my arm that they could copy my work.

But the most annoying thing they’d do, believe it or not, was call me Gidget at first and then after weeks passed – Gidge. Oh my god their neanderthal brains thought that this was hilarious – as my RL name is Bridgette. THE SHEER WIT OF IT NEARLY COLLAPSED THEM WITH LAUGHTER.

What they most loved to do, was see me in the hallways and SHOUT “GET UP GIDGE” giving me the high five sign. Which I would walk past like they weren’t alive.  And when I’d just keep going they’d scream in peels of laughter, shouting other idiocy at me…..and I’d just keep moving.

But something happened about halfway through that year of hell. My friends started mocking them, giving me the “Get up Gidge” in the halls………..and I’d return their high five – and we’d laugh.

Laugh at the bullies.

And it became bearable. I embraced the nickname from everyone – except them. Coming from them – it was met with stoney silence and a glare. Which confused the jock-brains, it perplexed them. Why would I play with others and not them? Why wouldn’t I be COOL with them?

I never explained it. I took great satisfaction that I suddenly became Gidge in all aspects in my life. I took the mockery of it away from them – and made it my own name. When I logged into SL for the first time, it never occurred to me to be anyone BUT Gidge.

I am Gidge because of and despite bullies. Your mother was right. You never back down from bullies. However, you have to be smart enough to choose the battleground you fight them on.

Making this name my own was my victory.

So hi,I’m Gidge. Nice to meet you. GET UP!

Style Notes:

  • Jeans and T-shirt by DREAMS – from Sanura Snowpaw – Pink Shirt Day Gifts
  • Hair – Exile – Adam in Candy
  • Skin – Symphony Skin – SSV3 Alto Tone – Pink Diamonds
  • Eyes – Poetic Color – Pink Ocean
  • Vest – Cupcakes – White Vest
  • Earrings – Ear Candy – Valentines Gift
  • Necklace – Studio Sidhe – Joy Beaded Necklace – Rainbow
  • Ring s – EarthStones – Destiny Bridal Set and Purangi Designs ring of the week
  • Ink – Little Rebel – Fairy Gather Tattoos
  • Shoes – Duh – Clogs in white
  • Lashes – Cybernetic

0 thoughts on “Pink Shirt Day:How Bullies Made Me Gidge

  1. Lila

    New to this blog, but I absolutely loved this story. Reading all the bully stories today has been inspiring, but I really love the happy ending to yours. 😀

  2. Pingback: Pink Shirt Day 2010 (Updated x2) « Around the Grid

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