- Feb 10, 2013
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I'm focusing on the cyber bullying side of things, and it's take place as a lot of other things are also going on inside the team and gym. It's all jealousy driven, and builds in a way that makes it clear that this kind of bullying is not maybe super common, but if and when it happens it needs to be shut down. Although it happens at the gym in the books, my hope is to make it also appeal to non-cheerleaders. I hope my books will help those that do not know the sport get invested in it still, and adding things like that which they can also relate to might help bridge that gap.
It does make it happy that it's not super common though! I'm sure it happens from time to time, and have seen some not so nice comments on photos or videos really blow up. But, to know it is rare, is always good to see since it means athletes are in fact working together or seeing other squads being good as reasons to push harder and not strike out at them and such.
It does happen, though not to a serious level that I have seen. I experienced it a few years ago from several teammates, whom I assume we worried about me taking their spot on the team (though we were all already on the team, but I can't pinpoint any other reason). Nothing serious, more like exclusion from group conversations, walking away if I joined a conversation, saying they didn't want to stunt with me or walking away from stunts once they realized I was involved (and I'm talking preps here, nothing hard). I'm also an adult, so I can deal with things better than younger kids can, or I an ignore the bs without it seriously affecting me. But it sucked to feel excluded by your teammates. When I finally told my coach/owner, she just shrugged it off and said she was sorry to hear about that, and they had already mentioned trying to be nicer to teammates with these athletes. Nothing was done, and the gym didn't even seem to care. My new gym has been the most welcoming group of people I have ever worked with, so it's worked out for the better I think. However, I haven't seen much in more serious situations, which is a good thing