A to Z Challenge- Day 2- Letter B- A share on Lady Gaga's Born This Way Organization
When anyone says these two words- LADY GAGA- reaction comes. For some it is a good reaction and others it's a bad one. The good is because we love her songs or her style, her character and her determination. The bad reaction is simply because we didn't get her or never tried too. Today I am actually not going to talk solely about Lady Gaga, but I will on day 12 (letter L) on her interview with Oprah.
Today I want to talk about Ms. Gaga's organization called The BORN THIS WAY ORGANIZATION (BTWF).
On February 29th, Lady Gaga and her mother Cynthia Germanotta, officially announced their Born This Way Foundation to a crowd of policy makers at Harvard University. This will be a non-profit charitable organization that brings awareness to school bullying. Having been bullied in her own youth, Lady Gaga is no stranger to it. I'm sure ridicule still comes her way today, but it also comes to a much stronger armor now.
BTWF will address issues in self-confidence, anti-bulling, mentoring and career development through research. It will also focus on education and advocacy. The organizations' goal is to create an environment where kids can safely express their individuality and be provided with the skills needed to do so. Promoting civic engagement and the resources/opportunities needed to implement solutions, online or in person. The organization will focus on digital mobilization to create a positive change for the youth. Lead them into a braver society where each individual is accepted and loved as they should be, as they were born that way.
The wonderful Lady Gaga made her own personal donation of $1.2 million dollars towards the foundation and has received donations from others such as Barney's NY and the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur foundation.
Lady Gaga even has a bus called the Born Brave Bus, which will travel the country to serve as a place where kids can go to connect and learn about civic engagement opportunities. Onsite mentors will also accompany Lady Gaga on her next North American concert tour to provide additional resources and a safe place to meet.
I myself have been the victim of bullying. Someone once said "I don't think there is anyone who has never been bullied." All have been victims of this brutal, spiteful plague; even if just for a minute, for an hour, a day or a long year and sadly for many, a time that feels like forever. I have to admire Lady Gaga for what she is doing and without a doubt; I know this organization will change the world's perspective on bullying as Lady Gaga herself has changed many perspectives already. This lady may stand out in the eccentric way, but a stand out she is and I have a funny feeling this stand out will never go ignored.
We are told we live in a busy world and have been labeled a "me" society. Well, I must disagree. Not all of us are "too busy" and not all of us are "me" people. Our problem today, is somehow some of us forgot how great we are as individuals. They somehow started to believe individuality was for losers and standing out was not normal. Lady Gaga has reminded us that being normal is overrated. She did not always stand out, at least not in the ways she does today. The lady did not always dress in meat or bubbles. She was just a gal like you and me.
I am amazed at why such a beautiful girl with such a beautiful spirit could have been bullied, yet she was. So why does bullying happen? And who decides on who its dished to? Well folks, it happens to everyone and hopefully with Lady Gaga's Born this Way Foundation, we will be more aware and become brave in standing up against it. Why? Well because that's what we're supposed to do. We were born to be brave. We were born to be individual and we were born to stand out. Remember normal is overrated, individuality is the new pink. Let's all strive to stand out in a good way and strive to stand up for each other.
After all… we were Born That Way.
My humblest thanks and gratitude to Lady Gaga, her supporters and their newly formed BORN THIS WAY ORGANIZATION…
A.D.
P.S. If you would like to learn more about this wonderful organization (as if you didn't already know about! Ha ha…I'm so silly) click the link to go to the website. http://bit.ly/GXQoLq There is even a poster contest going on!
Tagged: A to Z challenge topics, Born this way, Born This Way Foundation, BTWF, bullying, individual, inspiration, Lady Gaga
