SUNDAY THOUGHTS: BULLYING

It’s funny how suddenly and vigorously responses are addressed. 

How about employing that same enthusiasm to address the ACTION that prompted the response? 

Anger, frustration, disillusionment, separation, and firmly set boundaries, don’t occur out of the blue. 

Stuff doesn’t just happen. 

People DO stuff, and when affected others decide they’ve had more than enough, and determine to preserve their peace, OR defend themselves by fighting back with whatever physical or verbal weapons in reach, THEN there’s a problem? 

THEN there’s so much concern? 

THEN everybody confesses what they knew and saw? 

AFTER the fact? The devil... 

School is in. 

Don’t wait until next June. 

Address the bullies NOW. 

You know who they are. 

You also see the withdrawn, crying, fearful children. 

Stop wondering why their grades are suffering, why they don’t want to participate, why they don’t like school any more, or why they hesitate to board the bus. 

SOMETHING HAPPENED, or IS HAPPENING!!!!! 

DO something. 

Make yours a safe learning environment. 

You can’t be too tired to pay attention. 

It’s NOT just kid stuff. 

Stop insisting that victims of bullying “go play” or “make nice” with their oppressors. 

It’s abuse that can potentially scar a child’s soul. 

Children make mental notes of the adults who care and act, and the adults who look away, laugh, or trivialize their concerns. 

Some adults are, and have been messy, divisive, abusive, and antagonistic themselves, so they are oblivious. 

Don’t expect their help or understanding. 

So many efforts are made to war against possible attacks from the outside. 

What about the ACTUAL terrors inside? Exactly what is being preserved and protected? The institution or the people? 

Too many passes, excuses, and reasons are given for unacceptable behavior and speech.  
See something? SAY something. 

As adults in authority, the responsible parties will only act when it is clear that nonsense will not be tolerated.

Art by B.Sims