October is Bully Awareness Month

Lucy Hale has become Kinney Pride's preferred choice for the role of X-23 if a movie or series were made, and her advocacy for bully awareness and her anti-bullying stance is one of the many reasons for why.  She currently has a clothing line through Hollister Co. which is a subsidiary of Abercrombie & Fitch.  Many of you may remember Abercrombie & Fitch's moderately recent press fiasco from many comments of their current Chairman Mike Jefferies and many other questionable acts.

Abercrombie & Fitch though this month is trying to push forward a bully awareness message as initiated by a group of high school students that contacted them.  Even outside of Abercrombie & Fitch's previous actions, this is a good message and something that should be heard.  They may have been spurred into action because of past indiscretions and actions of their own, but the message being said is still sound.

It's bully awareness month. Ive teamed up with @Abercrombie to spread the word about this cause. Check this out... http://t.co/2MfK4lkF7Y
— Lucy Hale (@lucyhale) October 1, 2014

I also have to commend Ms. Hale for working with the company to try and change the prevalent issues they've displayed to vocally make a difference within their ranks.  While it could be seen as damage control for them(and it kinda is but that doesn't mean the gesture is any less worthwhile and heartfelt!), sometimes it takes a genuine kind force from within the ranks to instigate real outward change that could benefit all.  Considering their own board have spoken up repeatedly against their chairman's words and actions but been outvoted in the past on his removal, this gesture does have merit about them trying to move forward and better themselves company-wide.  So this is one of the many reasons why her ties to the company may actually be a good thing and shows why she herself would be a great choice in the role of Laura Kinney too as she has always been an anti-bullying advocate throughout her career.  Her interactions with them, as many of her interactions with others have shown in the past, may make them see the light to pursue a better quality within as well as fix their public image.

X-23's origin stories in particular are heavy with many of these topics from domestic violence, abuse, harassment and yes, even bullying.  It is something to stay aware of for all of us in our actions to work towards these common goals to stop bullying in all its forms.

Also this month, Marvel themselves will be releasing bully awareness variant covers for many of their comics.

This hopefully shows a great turnaround for both companies (Marvel and Abercrombie & Fitch) as both have had prevalent and quite loud actions of bullying or demeaning others.  This year, for the most part at least, that has been toned down considerably.  Let's all hope it stays that way and they do not continue to become the very thing they are currently professing to stand against.  I have hope that both companies are trying to work towards real positive change, but only time will tell if it sticks or if they return to past behaviors.  There have been a few hiccups along the way this year, but hopefully both have grown from that to not let it continue within their respective companies.