Utterly ridiculous and uninformed. While kids should certainly be taught to stand up for themselves, there is only so much that one person can do by him/herself. With absolutely no one who’s got your back in these situations, it can rarely get better without support. Many, if not most, victims are totally alone in their battle.
I agree that bullies are cowards, but they usually come in huge groups who single out their prey and can be totally ruthless to the point that the abused may even face physical attacks. When these groups of rabid hyenas go on the attack they turn the whole school against the one student to the point where everyone is afraid to help out the victim. It IS a real problem and no student should have to fear for their physical safety in a school. What can one student do against dozens of others if he/she has no support? Not much.
If it was just a matter of hurting someone’s feelings it wouldn’t be such a big deal, but it’s often much, much worse than that. These kids DO need someone to help them, to step in and stand with them in their struggle.
I can think of worse things than forming a gang of antibullies.
Your post was excellent, from start to finish.
The advise that some people give, like "be a man, stand up to your bully", might work in some limited cases. But in general it's naive to the point of being silly.
I was an urban school teacher for quite a few years. I've never seen a bully back down. I'm sure it happens, but I've never seen it. What I have seen is a bully and his "posse" kick a victim senseless until help could arrive.
And what's worse are comments like "there have always been bullies, get used to it." Tell that to the kid laying on the floor with a broken rib (yeah, I saw that too).
Boy you people just don’t get it. Stop hatin’ on me and listen.
So you were ganged up on? Ever ask yourself why? Hell, I was ganged up on. I knew why.
What matters is how you deal with it.
Let me tell you what 99% of you have missed here. Did you see any words from me about ‘throwing hands’? I can count on one hand and have fingers left over the number of times I had to do that (but I never lost when I did, damn it).
It’s about ATTITUDE. How you carry yourself. I challenged those who challenged me. I didn’t say “Oh yeah? Meet me behind the school at 4” or any of that sophomoric crap.
It’s all about standing up to them as a PERSON, a human being who is NOT afraid or intimidated by them.
If it is a group with a “leader”....of course, you go straight for that leader in front of their peeps. Full view. Take ‘em on....and again, notice I’m not talking about taking a swing or inviting one.
Are there really that many weak-willed people in this country?????? It’s determination and lack of fear that makes them back down. Ironically, many times those same bullies wanted to be my friend afterward. I’ll let you guess why.