Believe In Yourself

At the beginning of first grade, Sydney Call went off to her new class full of enthusiasm. Unfortunately, within a week or two, her enthusiasm turned to anxiety. Why? Sydney, who went to learn the 3 R's, instead learned what it felt like to be bullied.

Her answer? To write a song.

We sing a lot as a family, and Sydney had often talked about growing up to be a "rock star." We liked her new song, so we decided that this was the time to make that dream come true. James, her older brother, wanted to learn drums, so we bought a used set for him, a keyboard for her sister, Naomi, and a bass for Mom.

Calling Out was born.

Here is that song, as performed for their elementary school variety show. The words came directly from her experience with bullies.

After we performed this, one of the kids who had teased her recognized her own hateful language. She asked Sydney if the song was about her. Sydney told her it was, and the girl promised to be nicer, saying, "I don't want to be in any more songs!"