GOW Action Project

The issue I've chosen to act upon for this project is bullying. I wanted to contact local lawmakers to see why more hasn't been done to prevent bullying or to make it illegal. Before I acted upon this I did some research. I found out that bullying is linked to suicide. We've all seen this unfortunately with the cases of Jamey Rodemeyer and Phoebe Prince. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in teens. Studies show that at least half of the cases of suicide are from bullying. Another study shows that due to bullying at least 160,000 stay home from school everyday because of bullying.

I included some of these facts and statistics while taking my first step in this process. I looked online to find the information to contact the NYS Senate. I first emailed the entire Senate on the issue, my email read:

Hello, my name is Sarah Crawford. Recently I've been interested in the issue that affects many young teenagers of today; the issue of bullying. Studies show that each year at least 160,000 kids stay home from school because of bullying. The studies also show that bullying is linked to at least half of the cases of suicide. My question to you is why hasn't more been done or enforced to prevent these tragedies? Obviously bullying is a main issue toward our generation. Is there any way to enforce some sort of law or legal fine toward a bullying victim?

I waited a couple of days and received this email in response:
Thank you for contacting the New York State Senate. We appreciate your thoughts and ideas. We promise you that your comments will be read and processed by a real person.

If you need immediate assistance, please contact your Senator <http://www.nysenate.gov/contact_form> or call the Senate Operator at 518-455-2800.

The New York State Senate
Majority Communications

I was upset not to have the information to inform my local senator sooner. But I looked up my local senator anyway. Patrick Gallivan is the senator who is closest to myself. I emailed him the email shown above. I received this email in response:

Dear Friend:

Thank you for contacting me with your thoughts and concerns. Your opinions are important to me and allow me to more effectively and accurately represent the needs of the 59th Senate District.

Please be assured that we are working to address your issue and we’ll be reaching out to you in the coming days with a response. If you need immediate assistance from our office, please contact either my Albany or District Offices, for which contact information is listed below.

Erie Office Wyoming Office
4729 Transit Rd., Ste. 7 143 North Main St., Rm. 103
Depew, NY 14043 Warsaw, NY 14569
p. 716-656-8544 p. 585-786-5048
f. 716-656-8961 f. 585-786-2187

Livingston Office Albany Office
Livingston LOB 808
6 Court St., Rm. 304 Albany, NY 12247
Geneseo, NY 14454 p. 518-455-3471
p. 585-243-6929 f. 518-426-6949

Constituent involvement is vital to establishing an effective voice for our Western New York community in Albany. If I can be of any future assistance to you on this or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Once again, I thank you for bringing your concerns to my attention. It was a pleasure hearing from you. Best wishes and kind regards;

Patrick M. Gallivan
Senator – 59th District

I was frustrated that they brushed my issue off yet again and that I had to wait for another response. I waited another couple of days to see if I would get a response. I received nothing, so I made the decision to call the office. I called the Erie Office since it was the closest offer. After going through various automated voices I finally got through to the secretary of Patrick Gallivan. I told her of the bullying issue and she said that Mr. Gallivan wasn't available at the moment. She also told me that if I'd like I could be put on the waiting list to speak to him about the specific issue I was having. So as of now I'm on the waiting list of the senator to discuss the issue.

This specific issue relates to the Joads' in the Grapes of Wrath. It presses the issue of being discriminated against--something specifically relating to the bullying issue. When the Joads' and other families arrive in California they are immediately outcasts, being labeled as "Okies." The term "Okies" is meant to be a derogatory name toward the new people of California. The Californians are bitter considering these new people will be taking any job opportunities that may be available. While there is reason for the Californian's to be upset, there is no need for them to discriminate and judge the "Okies" which is where the issue of bullying ties in. Had it been prevented, the Joads' lives may have been easier.