This is a preface, a necessary word before the story begins. + 

The Oxford English Dictionary defines bullying as the act of intimidating a weaker person, coercing them to action through repeated pressure, or creating persistent discomfort. Yet, definitions feel distant when witnessed firsthand. + 

I suspect many readers, particularly those from Nigeria, will react to this topic with a shrug. A dismissive, “What is this now?” because bullying isn’t seen as a critical issue within our culture. It’s a quiet cruelty woven into the fabric of our lives. It happens everywhere, to young and old, and is often dismissed as mere "toughness." + 

But the silence has a cost. We’ve heard stories – tragic, heartbreaking stories – of individuals driven to suicide by the relentless torment of bullying, right here in Nigeria. And still, we do little. We look away. + 

It grieves me to witness the casual cruelty, the casual abuse of power masked as seniority or flaunted wealth. I see it happen daily. It feels… ingrained. Legalized. Sickening. This isn’t a problem to be solved with a lecture or a stern word. It’s a habit that has become too comfortable to resist. + 

I decided to speak out through the only medium I’ve always trusted: writing. This book is offered freely, and my hope is that within its pages, you’ll find a shift in perspective. A spark of courage. A reason to question the silence. + 

Remember this: Silence is not neutrality. It is complicity. Do not let anyone dictate your silence. Do not let anyone tell you to shut up. The power to speak, to act, to refuse to be a bystander, rests solely with you. + 

Speak up now. Break the cycle. + 

#NoMoreBullying #StopTheHate #NobodyIsAFreak + 

Copyright: + 

Under no circumstances may any part of this work be formatted, republished, or altered for unrelated purposes without the express written permission of the author. All rights reserved. 2019 © Adebayo A. Aleeyah®. + 