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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBullying
When I taught school, I saw my share of bullying. I can no more imagine ignoring it or blaming the victim than I can imagine not trying to rescue someone in imminent danger.
If I saw it, I had an instantaneous reaction to stop it. It never occurred to me to think about whether the students were usually good students or star athletes or dressed like models on either side. I could have cared less if they were Goths or some other group. You don't bully people! PERIOD!
I told those who I caught that exact message. Every year the students in my classes and I discussed bullying. I made my position clear. I also made them 2 promises. I told them if they were ever having trouble to let me know. I also told them that if they were on school grounds, they were mine. If I caught them bullying anybody anywhere on campus, they would pay the price.
This doesn't make me a superhero or Mother Teresa. I believe it makes me human.
longship
(40,416 posts)Yet many educators still say things like, "Boys will be boys." Dispicible!
SmileyRose
(4,854 posts)Nearly all adults seem to do a pretty decent job of not tolerating bullying amongst the kids. But when we see it in other adults we are far less likely to step up and have something to say about it.
When child bullies get to be adults they get much better at it. Artful wording of attacks so they can claim they were misunderstood later and attacking others just barely within the law.
It's a part of human nature I've never been able to understand. Why on earth do decent people sit by and let Rush Limbaugh stay on the air?
Why do people go to a store and actually fork over their hard earned money for a product they know darn well was made by people being bullied on the other side of the world?
Even on the DU. It is rare for anyone to step up and tell our bullies to cool it. Those who do can expect years being oh so subtly stalked.
And probably every adult who's been in the workplace for any amount of time has come across one of those people who no one dares cross for fear of payback to the point of being pushed out of the job.
Anyways, I've gone all around the bush to say I agree with you. Good and timely post.
CBHagman
(16,968 posts)And unfortunately some businesses allow temper tantrums, open bad-mouthing of colleagues, biased treatment of employees, manipulation, and much else to go on for years.