A Port Coquitlam dad is using his personal experience to shine a light on a difficult topic with the goal of inspiring a world-wide movement against bullying.
Racism and intolerance are rising in communities throughout Metro Vancouver, as evidenced by numerous police and video reports of people lashing out at others, even violently, including problems in the Tri-Cities.
But Mark Williams doesn’t want to focus on the negative.
While the father of three has had his own experience of bullying and injustice when he said he was wrongly accused of a crime, he now wants to create an organization where people can safely share their story, as well as get support, love and respect.
“We can make our city a better city, and hopefully it would become bigger,” Williams told the Tri-City News.
Many might already know Williams. In addition to working in health care at Eagle Ridge Hospital in Port Moody, he is also the founder of Pink Thursday, an anti-bullying initiative started a few years ago in response to anti-bullying concerns.
In recent months, however, with increasing reports of racism and intolerance and the recent killing of George Floyd in police custody in the U.S., Williams has been trying to create a bigger profile for the initiative.
He hopes that by sharing his own frustrations with a system that can often marginalize people who are vulnerable or who are part of a minority group, others might be inspired to take action and join his initiative to become part of the solution.
“It took me awhile, I had to come to a place where I felt good enough, where I felt liberated enough to share my story,” he said.
Although Williams won’t provide specific details, he said he was wrongly accused of a crime over a decade ago and worked tirelessly to clear his name, even though many were against him, including the police, who he says judged him based on the colour of his skin.
“Somebody made an allegation against me. That’s all it takes to throw you in the system,” Williams said.
Now that he’s moved on from those difficult days, Williams said he wants to help others who may be in a difficult place and need help.
While COVID-19 has put a stop to many plans for Pink Thursday, the job of raising awareness continues, with many local people, including some Port Coquitlam politicians, helping his cause by posting messages of love and support on Facebook. Others can check out the page for inspiration and a website is being created.
Williams said he also plans to put a call out soon for people to help create a support group.
In the meantime, he wants people to do three simple things: respect, love and support one another.
“If I could share my story and inspire one person that is my goal.”
To find out more about Pink Thursdays, visit Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Pink4Thursdays/
