We Won't Back Down

"Well, probably the most serious violation was when she told another child, 'Please stop being a pest and leave me alone.'" The words were delivered with the heavy tones of someone who was horrified to have to be the one to tell us about such a terrible offense.

I blinked. That's all I could do as I processed the statement. I blinked. ::blink::blink::blink::blink::

"So, another child was ... ? What exactly was going on?" I finally asked.

"There was a little boy who was following Alexis around during recess. I don't really know why she felt the need to call him a name." Judgment dripped from the teacher's voice.

"Oh," I replied. ::blink::blink::blink::blink::

There are three sides to every story, so later I asked Alexis what had happened. Her version was nearly identical to the story told by her kindergarten teacher, but with one important addition - the little boy was following her around and telling her she looked better without glasses.

::blink::blink::blink::blink::

Initially I was going to let the situation be, but through a conversation regarding another issue, I realized something. The teacher has a very different opinion on the role of women in this world. She feels that women can be leaders ... in the classroom and home.

That's when I decided to go to bat for my kid. The teacher could say what she wanted, but Alexis had handled the situation as well as any 6-year old possibly could. If she is being harassed? She ABSOLUTELY has my permission to stand up for herself. I was crazy proud that Alexis had decided she wasn't going to back down. That's exactly what I want her to do.

Alexis and I eventually discussed how she could have handled the situation better. She shouldn't have called the little boy a name, but otherwise? She did all right. I want her to know that she has to take care of herself. She has to do what is right and if that means fighting the system? I've got her back.

I've fought the system many times myself (sometimes with your help!) because the best

way to teach Alexis that she can't back down is to make sure I don't. Now that I've watched the trailer for Fox's Won't Back Down, I'm inspired to do even more. I know that a group of people can join together to change the world, and now I'm looking forward to this year's Christmas Crazy being bigger and better than ever.

Won't Back Down is coming to theaters September 28th. It stars Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis, who play two mothers who refuse to accept that their kids' school is failing. They set out to change the school, battling bureaucracy along the way. You can learn more about it at the official Facebook page. It's a feel-good movie with a fantastic message and a heavy dose of motivation. You can also buy group tickets.

What motivates you to make a change in your community? Answer below for a chance to win one of two $40 Fandango gift cards. If I were answering, I'd say that seeing Alexis' face when she gets a new toy motivates me. Every kid should get that feeling and every parent should have the opportunity to see it happen.

Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the

following unique term in your tweet message: "#SweepstakesEntry"; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 9/5/12-9/30/12.

Be sure to visit the Won't Back Down brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts and find more chances to win!

Comments

[Betty C]

My family motivates me. I know that when my children are affected by what is happening other families are being affected also.

[Judith]

Nothing changes until someone stands up.

[Judith]

Nothing changes until someone stands up.

[Judith]

http://sodahoney.blogspot.com/2012/09/wont-back-down-movie-previews-and-movie.html

[Jammie]

Knowing that my daughter will be living in this community one day. sweepmorey at gmail dot com

[Jammie]

tweeted https://twitter.com/mommysdizzy/status/252190148631097344

[Sarah]

I sing with the Raging Grannies and we try to change hearts and minds through humorous songs.
Thanks for the contest.

[Sarah]

blogged:
http://slehan.blogspot.com/2012/09/win-40-fandango-gc-from-blogher.html

[Teresa M]

My daughter motivates me in the fact that she always wanting to pack up her used toys and donate her extra change to the mission here locally. I really need to act on her ideas of giving to the less fortunate in our community. I know we do not have much, but my daughter is always telling me someone, somewhere in our town does not have a roof to sleep under or a toy to play with or a money for food.

[Betty C]

Tweet - https://twitter.com/willitara/status/252482875037974528

[Eugenie]

l want the world to be a better place for the children.

[Howell]

I care about my family and community so I try to pursue issues that matter the most to both.

[Janice Cooper]

God motivates me by volunteering and getting others involved with their ideas to help make our community better

[Janice Cooper]

Tweeted
https://twitter.com/disneyfan40/status/252516926188843010

[nannypanpan]

my son gives me courage, cause i want things better for him...i just started volunterring at his school and joined the pto
nannypanpan@gmail.com