BOOKS + FILM
This compelling documentary follows students from public schools in Georgia, Iowa, Texas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma during the 2009–10 school year; it also follows the students' families. The film's particular focus is on the deaths of Tyler Long and Ty Smalley, victims of bullying who took their own lives. The film describes in great detail how the average American school kid cannot defend himself or herself against ridicule. It exposes the daily trials of many students as they face their tormentors without help or hope of the pain ending. The Birmingham Public Library is sponsoring a community screening of the documentary, Bully, as a part of our community forums discussing the issue of bullying in our schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods. These forums will be taking place from May 13-24 at various Birmingham Public Libraries. The Birmingham Public Library and the David Mathews Center for Civic Life invite the citizens of our communities to engage in an open forum with the opportunity to carefully weigh different approaches to and perspectives on the issue of bullying.