I'm writing this post because of some disturbing news. This past week a local teenager committed suicide, a result of being bullied. According to word on the street, he was bullied because he was different. In what way was he different? I don't know. Does it matter? No.
This coming Friday is the 3rd anniversary of my brother's passing away. He was epileptic and developmentally disabled, today's politically correct term. He was also a target of much bullying because of the fact that he got upset easily. I had the same problem because I never learned how to defend myself without causing more trouble for myself. And my dad told me that if I ever got into trouble for fighting, I would be beat when I got home.
Thing about bullying is that the bully always goes after those who can't defend themselves, for whatever reason. And nowadays, with schools adhering to a "zero tolerance policy," most of the time those who do the bullying get off scott free.
And most bullying is mainly about mental cruelty. Ask anybody who grew up with a weight problem, a physical, or mental disability. I spent a good part of last year making amends with some who hurt me and others that I hurt while attending high school. You might say that "we were just kids". Don't matter. I felt better afterwards.
One friend that I feel very fortunate to have now is Johanna. She was given a very cruel nickname from one of my so called friends. Like the immature kid I was, I followed the pack and teased her unmercifully. We became very good friends our senior year and Johanna was a very valuable help in putting together our class reunion last year. I thank God she knows how to forgive.
There were some students in church this morning when our pastor addressed the bullying problem. Before the service ended, I got up and said that one of my favorite phrases in the Bible is "and it came to pass". In God's eyes we are all unique and special.
My next post will be a classic from last year, the turning point of my adolescent years.
This coming Friday is the 3rd anniversary of my brother's passing away. He was epileptic and developmentally disabled, today's politically correct term. He was also a target of much bullying because of the fact that he got upset easily. I had the same problem because I never learned how to defend myself without causing more trouble for myself. And my dad told me that if I ever got into trouble for fighting, I would be beat when I got home.
Thing about bullying is that the bully always goes after those who can't defend themselves, for whatever reason. And nowadays, with schools adhering to a "zero tolerance policy," most of the time those who do the bullying get off scott free.
And most bullying is mainly about mental cruelty. Ask anybody who grew up with a weight problem, a physical, or mental disability. I spent a good part of last year making amends with some who hurt me and others that I hurt while attending high school. You might say that "we were just kids". Don't matter. I felt better afterwards.
One friend that I feel very fortunate to have now is Johanna. She was given a very cruel nickname from one of my so called friends. Like the immature kid I was, I followed the pack and teased her unmercifully. We became very good friends our senior year and Johanna was a very valuable help in putting together our class reunion last year. I thank God she knows how to forgive.
There were some students in church this morning when our pastor addressed the bullying problem. Before the service ended, I got up and said that one of my favorite phrases in the Bible is "and it came to pass". In God's eyes we are all unique and special.
My next post will be a classic from last year, the turning point of my adolescent years.
Comments
Like your late brother I was a target as well due to my getting upset easily as well.Not to mention that I had and still have epileptic seizures only no one makes fun of me any more.