It started with a single pink shirt and two students who refused to stay silent.
In 2007, when a new student at Nova Scotia’s Coldbrook school was bullied for wearing pink, two 12th graders took action. They bought 50 pink shirts and rallied their classmates to wear them. The next day, the school transformed into a sea of pink—a powerful statement of solidarity that would spark a worldwide movement.
But here’s the reality: bullying doesn’t just happen in distant hallways. It’s in our classrooms, on our social media feeds, and sometimes even within our friend groups. Too often, we scroll past it, walk by it, or pretend we don’t see it. Yet tomorrow’s target could be your best friend, your sibling, or you.
“The kindness you give today may be the strength someone needs tomorrow,” isn’t just a feel-good quote—it’s a call to action. While it’s easy to complain about negativity in the world, real change starts with us. Kindness isn’t weakness; it’s choosing to be strong in a world where being cruel is often easier. A simple smile, a supportive message, or checking in on someone who seems down can create ripples of positive change.
As we mark another Pink Shirt Day, let’s challenge ourselves to do more than wear a color. Let’s wear our compassion daily, stand up for others consistently, and remember that in a world where we can be anything, choosing kindness makes all the difference.
