Name: Alia Avery Moore Title: Miss Black Arkansas

Stop Bullying: Celebrating Diversity, Promoting Inclusiveness, and Advocacy We have all seen the headlines about what happens when a child is bullied. The result is a tragic loss and a commentary on what we as society failed to do. We failed to prevent the bullying, we failed to protect the bullied, we failed to uplift and celebrate our differences and instill a strong sense of self in our teens, and most importantly, we failed to show them that life goes on and that it is the result of what you make it, if you make it to adulthood. I believe that most people have only paid lip service to the true necessity of what needs to be addressed related to this issue. Bullying isnt just an en vogue issue of the times; bullying, and the plethora of reasons a child can be bullied, is the issue. Race, sexuality, gender, personal interests and socioeconomic class are just a few reasons children dread going to school and try their hardest to pretend nothing is wrong when they go home. I believe that the solution to the problem can be found in addressing the triangle of solutions which are: Education, Prevention, and Recovery. The title of Miss Black America, combined with the national media already looking at the surface of this issue, will allow me to create the awareness that must exist in order to make a significant impact. While everyone is aware that bullying exists and that a solution must be sought, the effects are far reaching and it occurs even outside of adolescence. Bullying behavior begins in childhood, persists through adolescence, and becomes engrained throughout adulthood. We must grant ourselves the power to be able to discuss the issues candidly and move beyond talk into action. My plan is to partner with sororities and fraternities other than my own in the National Pan-Hellenic Council and with the Little Rock School district as well as school districts in other major cities to institute a comprehensive anti-bullying campaign. We must all be prepared to take an active interest in our childrens futures and their well-being. While several anti-bullying campaigns exist, there must be a bridge between knowing bullying is wrong and finding the strength to both report it and deal with the effects of bullying, which is why there should be just as much emphasis on the recovery as there is on prevention. Pageant contestants have been historically seen as inept to do anything beyond stand there and look pretty, but it is my fervent hope that, if given the opportunity to serve as Miss Black Arkansas, I might be able to show young girls a real representation of womanhood and show all youth the real face of adulthood. I am a survivor of bullying and, as a contestant with a disability, I hope to influence others to seek out their dreams. Simply by competing, I am an example to others. This country needs to examine itself. Each individual must be prepared to look inward and rid themselves of hurtful actions and words that might negatively impact our youth. The difference can be made one person at a time and together, we can alter our course and change the future of our nation.

__________________ _31 July 2013 Signature/Date