Snoopster
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SB, you are right. Unfortunately it is human nature to focus on issues as they are brought to our attention, otherwise, we stay in our cocoons.
I have to say that, like others, my attention is drawn to whatever is at the forefront of the news. While I am definitely not always a fan of the media, in cases like this it DOES draw attention. I am going to guess that whoever contacted the school board in London (Ontario) this week about a specific bullying situation there, would not have if the whole topic of bullying wasn't front and centre due to Amanda's case.
http://www.lfpress.com/2012/10/19/grade-10-girls-at-south-collegiate-were-charged-after-a-tip-to-the-schools-bullying-reporting-website
[video at link too]
BTW, this area of London is a low-crime, low-poverty area of a low-crime, low-poverty mid-size white-collar, well-educated city. It's also an area which attracts people who care about character over money, about community over impersonal-hide-behind-your-door neighbourhoods. Unfortunately, no community is immune. That's really the point. We all build up our 'expectations' of what we should be. [No, I don't live in this neighbourhood, I am just familiar about it.]
I am happy that that person stepped forward to make a complaint and those 8 students now have to answer for what they've done. I am also pleased that there was already a mechanism for complaints to be filed. Hopefully this will happen elsewhere and that, just like smoking, but even more important, it will become socially unacceptable to be a bully.
When my children were in high school I told them the story of when I was a 'bully by default'. There was a "nerd" in our class who wore 'geeky' clothes; who blurted out 'stupid' comments; who engaged in socially less-than-desirable behaviour. Clearly no one liked him. High school graduation came around, we had the ceremony and then headed out for our 'social' afterwards. As we arrived at the venue, we all dashed for seats at tables that wouldn't include this guy. He was a 'jerk', he was 'clueless', he was uncomfortable to be around when we were all trying to fit in. Within a few minutes of us arriving it became obvious how cruel we had been. A few of us noticed that he was sitting all alone at a table, crying. We had successfully cast him off. We rushed over to join him. We felt like the absolute heels that we were.
It was a life-changing experience, unfortunately it was several years too late. The poor fellow had had to endure all of those years through high school being ostracized, with no one standing up for him. No wonder he blurted out stupid stuff. Anything to get attention from those of us who ignored him, because he 'didn't fit in'.
Confession over and gladly given.
Rest in Peace Amanda, and strength to anyone who is being bullied; strength to anyone who hasn't spoken up about someone being bullied.
I have to say that, like others, my attention is drawn to whatever is at the forefront of the news. While I am definitely not always a fan of the media, in cases like this it DOES draw attention. I am going to guess that whoever contacted the school board in London (Ontario) this week about a specific bullying situation there, would not have if the whole topic of bullying wasn't front and centre due to Amanda's case.
http://www.lfpress.com/2012/10/19/grade-10-girls-at-south-collegiate-were-charged-after-a-tip-to-the-schools-bullying-reporting-website
Physical fights, name calling -- stupid, fat, worthless,and
At the same time, people came forward to school staff to report what was going on, South principal Catherine Davidson said.
School officials called police, who investigated and eventually arrested the eight teens.
[video at link too]
BTW, this area of London is a low-crime, low-poverty area of a low-crime, low-poverty mid-size white-collar, well-educated city. It's also an area which attracts people who care about character over money, about community over impersonal-hide-behind-your-door neighbourhoods. Unfortunately, no community is immune. That's really the point. We all build up our 'expectations' of what we should be. [No, I don't live in this neighbourhood, I am just familiar about it.]
I am happy that that person stepped forward to make a complaint and those 8 students now have to answer for what they've done. I am also pleased that there was already a mechanism for complaints to be filed. Hopefully this will happen elsewhere and that, just like smoking, but even more important, it will become socially unacceptable to be a bully.
When my children were in high school I told them the story of when I was a 'bully by default'. There was a "nerd" in our class who wore 'geeky' clothes; who blurted out 'stupid' comments; who engaged in socially less-than-desirable behaviour. Clearly no one liked him. High school graduation came around, we had the ceremony and then headed out for our 'social' afterwards. As we arrived at the venue, we all dashed for seats at tables that wouldn't include this guy. He was a 'jerk', he was 'clueless', he was uncomfortable to be around when we were all trying to fit in. Within a few minutes of us arriving it became obvious how cruel we had been. A few of us noticed that he was sitting all alone at a table, crying. We had successfully cast him off. We rushed over to join him. We felt like the absolute heels that we were.
It was a life-changing experience, unfortunately it was several years too late. The poor fellow had had to endure all of those years through high school being ostracized, with no one standing up for him. No wonder he blurted out stupid stuff. Anything to get attention from those of us who ignored him, because he 'didn't fit in'.
Confession over and gladly given.
Rest in Peace Amanda, and strength to anyone who is being bullied; strength to anyone who hasn't spoken up about someone being bullied.
)
