Celebrity Panelists Are Just Like You and Me

STOMP Out Bullying™ Global Ambassador Logan Browning (Actress, "Dear White People") hosted this year’s Culture Shock event, welcoming fellow actors Katherine McNamara (Actress, currently stars in the CW’s “Arrow” as "Mia Smoak (aka Blackstar)"), Michaela Jaé Rodriquez (Actress, "Pose"), Hudson Yang (Actor, "Fresh Off The Boat", upcoming “The Ray”) and Jordan Fisher (Actor & Singer, "To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You” & “Work It”, soon to be on The CW’s “The Flash") to share their personal stories and experiences with a live student audience tuning in from across the country, and the world.

The panelists addressed the issues of culture, race, identity, sexuality, physical bullying, verbal bullying and more as they opened up about where they came from, the adversities they each faced, how they handled them, and shared advice not just on how to change your own personal journey, but how to change the culture.

All of our panelists agreed on these Key Takeaways:

• Find Your Tribe - Surround yourself with people who see you for who you are, and seek to understand you. Like Michaela Jaé Rodriquez, you may be seen as “too black, too white…” too anything to fit in. But when you find an ally, you fit in everywhere.
   
• Communicate - Find a way to have the difficult conversations that allow people with differences to achieve respect, maybe even common ground. Like Katherine McNamara, you may find that seeking to communicate opens up your world to learning and listening, and ultimately a new level of compassion.
   
• Never Answer Violence with Violence - Instead of fighting, try talking. Try finding common ground. Like Hudson Yang, your bully may end up being one of your best friends.
   
• It Is Never Your Fault - It is not your fault how you were born. The person who mistreats you for something that is out of your control is at fault. Guard your mental health by choosing the positive in life. Like Jordan Fisher, accept and spread only love, respect, support, civility and friendship.

If you didn't have an opportunity to join the livestream of STOMP Out Bullying's 2021 Culture Shock, you can catch the replay of this powerful conversation and call to Change The Culture and End The Hate.

You can help kids feel safe by supporting STOMP Out Bullying™. We receive no local, state or government funding. Please continue your support by donating to our efforts. Funds raised for STOMP Out Bullying™ go towards assisting students in need of help and those who are at-risk of suicide. The more you give, the more students we can reach and we can strengthen and grow our programs.

Funds also support the HelpChat Line, in-school education, changing the culture and other prevention programs; as well as public awareness and education, a dedicated website, brochures, an Educator's Bullying Prevention Toolkit and additional education and bullying prevention resources and materials.