The Bullying Crisis

[William769]

Thirteen million young Americans will be bullied in school this year alone. Three million kids will skip school, each and every month, because they feel unsafe.

Our communities are filled with young people whose dreams and futures are being crushed by the devastating impact of emotional and physical torment.

Bullying. A national crisis that demands fierce and urgent action.

In response, we all must work together to reach those young people who are victims of this crisis, and those who can stand up and make a positive difference in their lives.

http://www.advocate.com/commentary/2012/10/19/op-ed-bullying-crisis

[xchrom]

1. du rec. nt

[NYC_SKP]

2. Schools.

Institutions of conformity.

Fit in or suffer. Be what the dominant culture wants you to be- a jock or a Barbie, or you will suffer.

Articulate, intelligent, thoughtful men need not apply.

Women who may not fit "the mold" will similarly suffer.

Recommended.

[IDoMath]

3. Everything I really needed to know I learned in Junior High

Namely, that authorities are not there to promote justice, they are there to enforce the rules.

Sometimes, I think maybe bullying has a value. It made me sensitive to the needs of others. It made me want to fight for justice. I know pretty well that if I had not experienced that, I'd be a republican.

But then, I cannot, in good conscience wish this baggage on anybody. Our schools are merely a reflection of our society. Until we, as a society, learn to value heterogeny over homogeny, it will continue. The different scares them and must be driven out of the herd.

[Smarmie Doofus]

4. Well put :

>>>>Until we, as a society, learn to value heterogeny over homogeny, it will continue. The different scares them and must be driven out of the herd.>>>

.... and welcome to DU.

[IDoMath]

5. Thanks but...

..it's welcome back, actually. I'm going to try to be good this time. I mention this only because the things that got me booted are reactions developed from the same bullying experience. DU is its own herd and it, too, fears things outside its envelope of statistical norms. I can see and feel the same herd mentality in the DP and DU and I've received the same treatment for stepping outside the norm.

The most useful lesson I ever received in school was being exposed to Plato's Allegory of the Cave. I've had to learn to hide who I am and what I see when I deal with others. I wish DU was as much a "safe space" for me as it is for others.

[Smarmie Doofus]

6. Welcome back, be good and enjoy..... this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/11243082

[Zorra]

7. Recommend