In every lunch and dinner I've had in the last couple weeks the topic of the out-of-control state of bullying always seems to crop up. I've talked about it before. I know a little bit about what it feels like to be bullied. I was six and so was my bully. Looking back now I suspect she was raised thinking she was extra special, a superstar just like her parents and that she could get away with anything. I quietly took in the name calling. I said nothing to anyone when she carried me and threw me across the room. I quietly watched the teachers give in to her at my expense. One day I fought back. I told her she was adopted. Unfortunately for her, the whole world knew but her. I didn't use any physical force to hurt her but I knew by the look on her face that morning that she would have preferred a slap on the face or a yank on her ponytail. I wish I had never done it but she pushed me against the wall. Well, literally that morning up against the classroom door jamb she did but you know what I mean. Bullying in school, at home, in the playground, through social networking sites or anywhere else is a horrible, horrible thing for everyone.
If you aren't already among the three million plus people that have viewed eighth grader Jonah Mowry's video, you should.
3 comments:
Oh my. That made me cry. Someone asked me recently if I was worried about the the boys bullied. Their school is so small I think it will be better controlled. But I would totally lose it if they were, I think I would be capable of crazy if they were.
Oh my God, Nana... When I first saw your title, I thought someone was bullying the boys. I tell you, my heart was in my throat for several minutes!
I remember you told us you have been bullied at school, and I'm so sorry you went through this :-( Your post made me shed a tear. I truly wonder how certain kids can be so cruel...
Thank you for sharing the video, my dear!
Kids will be kids. You put a bunch of them together and you could have yourself a Lord of the Flies situation. But we do not live in that island of children! Adults have a role to play in keeping children in line. This is why I think schools should prioritize character education. Schools specifically because this is where most bullying starts and escalates. Bullying can be controlled and corrected, definitely. It maddens me when people say, oh well... kids just need to deal. Oh really? Tell that to the parents of the kid that killed himself because of bullying.
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