by Linda Tracey
THE SIGNPOST
“It only takes one person to have the courage to be a friend to someone. It only take one person to speak up and say, ‘hey, don’t do that,’ or to tell a teacher.”
That comes from deejay Benny DL, from radio station ATFM. Benny DL, a.k.a. Bruce Langford of Mossley, brought his lively ‘radio’ show to River Heights last week to talk to students about bullying and how bystanders can prevent it.
Students sat riveted as Langford hosted a call-in radio show from his mock studio in the gym. He kept their attention by jumping up to play the piano, singing lively songs and handing out prizes to students who could correctly answer questions about bullying.
Langford told the students there’s a difference between bullying and teasing. Unlike teasing or an occasional disagreement in the schoolyard or with a sibling, bullying is one-sided and being mean on purpose over and over again. Langford said there are several ways to deal with bullies; try to ignore them, ask them to stop and tell a trusted adult. And just as important, don’t be a bystander and watch someone else being bullied.

      “You have to have courage,” said Langford.
Langford is a music teacher at New Sarum Public School. He created his ‘Stand up Against Bullying’ radio show because he felt bad after seeing some kids being treat not-so-nicely at his own school. Students who were involved in his extra-curricular programs started opening up to him and he thought, something needs to be done about this.
Langford created his program last summer, writing all his own songs, which he recorded onto a CD. He has performed over 75 shows at schools throughout the Thames Valley board region, Avon-Maitland and has been invited to perform in Ottawa and Lambton.
Langford tailors his program to fit the age of the kids he’s performing in front of. Younger kids get a kick out of his radio show, but with students in grades 7 and 8 it’s more discussion based.
Following up after a school visit is important to Langford. He leaves each school with a CD and information package and encourages teachers to have students draw or write about bullying. Students can send in their picture or story and it will be posted on his website, www.atfm.ca.