Protest Purse #19: NO BULLIES

“I had a good friend in school. I ate lunch with her every day, and we played on the playground. Then she started telling me that if I didn’t give her my applesauce, she wouldn’t be my frienImage courtesy of Nussi Abdullahd. When I said she couldn’t have it, she took it anyway, and started poking holes in the lid. At recess, after we finished our game she would say, ‘I tricked you. You aren’t really my friend.’

I kept thinking she would get over it, but she said the same thing every day. I felt really bad, because first I thought she was just kidding, but she kept doing it. I told her to stop tricking me, but she wouldn’t stop. Finally, I told my mom and teacher about it, and then she stopped. I think she got in trouble, because bullying isn’t allowed at my school.

I would never be mean to someone, because it’s rude. We should treat people very kindly and nicely. I decided that if I ever see someone being mean to one of my friends, I will tell them to stop, because I don’t want my friends to get hurt the way I did. It’s important to stand up for yourself, and for other people, because we have to be strong. People might think boys are stronger than girls, but Allah (God) made us equal. That's just my opinion.”

— Sakeena Tasnif

Facebook: Sofia Kamal

Note: You can follow Kulsum’s work on Instagram and visit her website for more.

Kulsum Tasnif is a mixed media artist and a graduate student studying Art and Design at North Carolina State University. Her solo exhibits include “The Protest Purse” series about female strength and empowerment, and “Journey to the Good Life,” which illustrated stories of survivors of war.