Brody's Journal... Governor Of New York David Patterson To Bullying Victims: 'It Gets Better'

By Brody Levesque (Bethesda, Maryland) OCT 16 | Governor David Patterson, himself a victim of bullies while growing up and going to school, talks about his experiences as a visually impaired African-American attending public schools. According to the Governor, he suffered from being bullied starting as far back as Kindergarten all the way through to high school, at one point the Governor wryly notes:

“On one occasion, I got so frustrated with the teachers and the people running the playgrounds, or whoever they were, not doing anything about it, that I hit a kid in the face with a lunchbox,” says Paterson, “And you know something? Even 40 years later, I’m not sorry.”

Last month, Governor Patterson signed New York's Dignity for All Students Act, a trans-inclusive measure, the first of its kind in New York. During the signing ceremony he said:

"Every student has the right to a safe and civil educational environment, but far too often young people are ruthlessly targeted by bullies," Paterson said. "Bullying and harassment have disrupted the education of too many young people, and we in government have a responsibility to do our part to create learning environments that help our children prosper. I am proud to sign this bill into law as it will help ensure that students are protected from harassment, discrimination and bullying at school grounds and at school functions."