JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Anchorwoman Jennifer Livingston stood up to an email from someone bullying her about her weight, which this Jacksonville psychologist says is a powerful message to children everywhere. "I do think her message is powerful and people are listening," says Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Justin D'Arienzo.
Wisconsin morning news anchor Jennifer Livingston shared this message live on television, to the person who bullied her in an email. She says, "To the person who wrote that letter. Do you think I don't know that? That your cruel words are pointing out something that I don't see?... You know nothing about me but what you see on the outside. And I am much more than a number on a scale."
Jacksonville psychologist, Doctor Justin D'Arienzo says she's spreading an important message. "She's really putting up the message that we really need to change the climate in schools, in parents, in society in general that bullying is unacceptable."
The anchorwoman says when she first read the email, she tried to laughed it off. But there was one part she couldn't ignore, "Surely you don't consider yourself a suitable example for this community's young people, girls in particular.."
Doctor D'Arienzo says bullying needs to stop, starting with adults like this. "The problem is we're teaching our kids that this is acceptable and it's not. We're supposed to celebrate each others differences," he says.
Livingston left her message with powerful words for all young victims of bullying. "To all of the children out there who feel lost. Who are struggling with your weight, with the color of your skin, with your sexual preference, your disability, even the acne on your face listen to me right now. Do not let your self worth be defined by bullies. Learn from my experience that the cruel words of one are nothing compared to the shouts of many."
Since Livingston's video has gone viral thousands have stood behind her in fight against bullying.
