For the past 3 weeks or so I have read about a 15 yr old girl who killed herself due to bullying by her classmates. This really upset me because not only did the school officials know about the attacks, stalking, and threats among other things they sat ideally by and did nothing. This young girl was an immigrant who was liked by many, did well in school and was an all around "good kid". However, due to the constant harassment and non-protection from the school it went to far one day and she left this world. This saddens me because like her I was bullied and harassed as a kid up until 9th grade. The suburb of New England Mass. are now fighting over who's fault it is and who should take responsibility. However, not one person has mentioned the parents of the violators, the officials who were aware and did nothing. In addition the people who watched as she was ridiculed, had objects thrown at her and physically assaulted.
The parents of the violators well one in general has said that her child would never do such a thing but when the cell phone records became available for her to read she went into shock and kept insisting someone took her child's phone. Really, really that is your stance rather than disiplining her and taking charge of "your" child.
Other parents including the victims just want justice for the Phoebe* (name change) and a new set of regulations the school must abide by with consequences.
I hope for justice in regards to Phoebe and her family including anyone who is currently being harassed or bullied.
In grade school I was taunted, harassed and constantly made fun of. There was this one girl who make it her duty to attack me everyday. Not once did it stop when she was absent her minions would do her bidding and then ask what happened on her return. I new then and I still remember why she would do these things to me and although I AM NOT okay with it I understand it. A new girl comes to school and gets a lot of attention and the boy she likes is interested in her. (didn't know that until middle of the school year) On top of that I got more attention than she did because the "choice" boy in our class was thought to be my adopted brother. (That is a story in of itself. ) When we all graduated and went to junior high I had new friends and continued bully on this time I had grown up during the summer and didn't take it. I had told both my parents and they said "Do not start a fight, finish it" to this day I still live by that. I never go looking for a fight and would rather walk away but when push comes to shove I will let me mouth fight a good fight.
The bullying ended after we went to 9th grade only to get a whole new pain. This time it was a boy who took great pleasure in making fun of the entire swim team. Instead of being made and talking back to him (which btw would have been easy seeing as all the boys wore speedos, and you can't hide; is all I'm saying) we turned it on him and used it toward our advantage. Instead of loosing our confidence we embraced it and used the negative for a positive.
I wish someone would have helped Phoebe see the positive and spoke up for her. Possibly by her passing a new law can be passed in her honor to help those still affected by bullying.
No comments:
Post a Comment