Oaklanders Find Hope in Bullying Prevention with “Zorgos Awards”
Press Release:
“Zorgos” is a word coined by authors Dr. Louise Hart and Kristen Caven in their book, The Bullying Antidote: Superpower Your Kids For Life, to conceptualize a superpower that prevents bullying dynamics. Inspired by the esperanto word for “I will take care,” Zorgos encompasses all of teachable, tangible qualities that create harmony and connection rather than control and harm. Packed with research, their book shows parents how to help their children avoid and transform these dynamics.
Mayor Libby Schaff declared October 15th as “Zorgos Day” in Oakland to recognize the authors’ giveaway of 3000 of their books to educate parents about the public health threat of ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and create common language around bullying in Oakland. The completion of this project was celebrated with an awards ceremony at the historic Bellevue Club. Awardees included Jean Gibbs, the creator of Tribes; Genice Jacobs, founder of Abolitionist Mom, Lamar Hancock, Literacy Specialist for the AAMA and former program coordinator at Oakland Tech, and local children’s theater creator Ron Lytle. Haiku Poet Amos White opened the event. The authors highlighted qualities and solutions to bullying when recognizing each of the awardees. Other nominees included Pete Docter for his screenplay In and Out, Steve Kerr for his positive leadership of The Warriors, and others.
Read about the event and solutions to bullying at The Zorgos Reader, www.zorgos.wordpress.com.