Frank Sinatra once sang, “Start spreading the news,” not “start spreading the rumors.” Not only are rumors untrue statements about other people, but they are often mean spirited, cruel and meant to tear the other person down.

Everyone should know the destruction that rumors can cause. Some people like to listen and hear about others. Some people like to humiliate others in any possible way. It’s not just someone whispering in another person’s ear, it is people that intentionally want others to hear rude comments. Those people are bullies and are extremely rude.

Most people like to do it for attention because they know that they won’t get caught by spreading rumors. People with low self esteem often say mean things about people to make them feel better about themselves. This is unhealthy.

I’ve had experience with this before. Imagine your best friend tries to blame you for something you didn’t do and starts spreading the rumors and people just look at you differently than before they heard the rumors. Sometimes a person will lie and say they didn’t do it, which is stupid because I knew they’re the ones who started all the rumors and decided to start something around school. And now everyone knows but they don’t know that you have friends who can hear and they know that you’re talking about them behind your back.

It’s a problem because most people take it too far. When someone is getting bullied because of all the drama and rumors, most times they feel embarrassed and insecure and do not want to go to school.

We have great students at my high school who do not want to be a part of negative rumors. We have a principal who knows how to help figure it out and to get the problem solved. We have teachers who are there for you through the horrible situation you’re in and to help you stay calm about it. If you think about telling someone something you heard, do not spread it. To help get the situation figured out and have it stopped, talk to the principal so that you can find out who started spreading the rumors and drama.

If you hear something about someone else, do not spread it. If you don’t want to cause a scene, do not spread it. If you don’t like someone or have an opinion about someone, do not spread it. The rude comments should stop with you. Start spreading the news, not the rumors.

Cassidy Kalanick,

Bothell