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averygoodun42And THIS is why it's not just about squashing homo/transphobia.
As far as I can recall, I was bullied a grand total of one time in high school. Junior high it happened a bit more often, but then again, I was sick often enough to not have to endure too much. (I also had a VERY sharp tongue and defended myself ably that way.)
My friends, however... One friend was bullied because she was black and nerdy. One because he was gay. One because he was short and nerdy. One because he was very effeminate, though he swore he was not gay (and I wonder whether he did survive...). The list goes on. And this was in Boulder, CO, the center for Enlightened (non-)Diversity and Tolerance.
Are my friends stronger for having survived the bullying? Maybe. It's debatable in a couple cases, psychologically speaking. But then none of them, to my knowledge, were teased quite as mercilessly as the lost kids were.
Kids are cruel. If unchecked, they grow up to be cruel adults. That is why it is the teachers' and schools' responsibility to teach them that it is NOT acceptable (assuming the parents haven't taught them that already). And it is the communities' responsibility to support the schools in upholding and enforcing no-bullying policies rather than each parent protecting their own precious, perfect child, ala Dudley Dursley.
It takes a village, people. We are all a part of it. And every child lost reflects on us.
As far as I can recall, I was bullied a grand total of one time in high school. Junior high it happened a bit more often, but then again, I was sick often enough to not have to endure too much. (I also had a VERY sharp tongue and defended myself ably that way.)
My friends, however... One friend was bullied because she was black and nerdy. One because he was gay. One because he was short and nerdy. One because he was very effeminate, though he swore he was not gay (and I wonder whether he did survive...). The list goes on. And this was in Boulder, CO, the center for Enlightened (non-)Diversity and Tolerance.
Are my friends stronger for having survived the bullying? Maybe. It's debatable in a couple cases, psychologically speaking. But then none of them, to my knowledge, were teased quite as mercilessly as the lost kids were.
Kids are cruel. If unchecked, they grow up to be cruel adults. That is why it is the teachers' and schools' responsibility to teach them that it is NOT acceptable (assuming the parents haven't taught them that already). And it is the communities' responsibility to support the schools in upholding and enforcing no-bullying policies rather than each parent protecting their own precious, perfect child, ala Dudley Dursley.
It takes a village, people. We are all a part of it. And every child lost reflects on us.
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Date: 2010-10-08 03:56 pm (UTC)I don't know if the bullying I experienced (every day from ages 9-12) is anything comparable to this, but it did affect me. I was bullied for being smart and developing early. The funny thing is the majority of my friends were bullied at some point and they are a nice, welcoming group. So I wonder if those of us who were bullied actually have a bit more compassion.
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Date: 2010-10-08 06:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-10-08 09:18 pm (UTC)