Sherria L. Elliott
Bullying is a topic that is sometimes hard for parents to address and it is even harder for the children that are the victims. Sherria L. Elliott, 41, whose daughter has been a victim of bullying is helping parents and children to deal with bullying through her book But mommy it’s not fair.
“What motivated me to write my book was my daughter Sheterria,” Sherria said. “The process was very therapeutic for me because I got the chance to share my daughters thoughts and feelings on being born looking white, when she is really Black, with the world. Writing also helped me to teach the world that it is OK to be different. Bullying is not just physical anymore, it is mental as well.”
Sheterria Elliot, 12, Sherria’s daughter, was a victim of mental bullying because of her condition of Albinism, the complete absence of melanin in her skin. Other than writing her book to shed light on bullying Sherria said she hopes the book will bring the hurtful culture to an end.
“I think my book will help to deter bullying, because it is very visual with pictures of different emotions that all kids who can see or read it will be able to relate,” she said. “They will understand how someone can be made to feel sad because they are different and hopefully this will change their bullying actions.”
Recently, State Representative Dwight M. Bullard, 34, District 118 held a press conference on the steps of the Miami-Dade County Public School Board building downtown to introduce his anti-bullying legislation, House Bill 627, Sheterria was named the face of Bullard’s bill.
“Hopefully, my book impacts both children and parents positively,” Sherria said. “I want Sheterria’s story to be a role model to kids by teaching them to embrace each others differences and stop bullying others because of it. I want my message to parents to be loving and supportive by teaching their kids awareness of any differences they may encounter in others.”
By Randy Grice
rgrice@miamitimesonline.com
Melinda
March 8, 2013 at 11:06 am
This is a wonderful story, thanks for sharing. I don’t have albinism but I am a very light-skinned biracial/black woman. I’ve been bullied my whole life because of the way I look. It can be very difficult for light-skinned Black girls sometimes. We rarely have the chance to talk about our feelings because there is an assumption that being lighter makes life better. I hope Sheterria is happy now and isn’t being bullied anymore.
She is blessed to have a caring, supportive mother who helps her through the tough times. The bullying was so painful for me that I distanced myself from other Black people, because I didn’t want to be hurt anymore. I am tired of being judged for my outward appearance.