Bullying

Bullying merits everyone's attention. This topic has been in the news a lot lately and even though I believe that everyone is, will be, or at one point in time was bullied, I do not believe that there is any way that the relentless bullying is justifiable. Technology has these bullies in constant communication with their fellow bulliers and their victims. Facebook and other social networking sites allow bullies to harass in writing and through the use of videos and pictures. I saw a special on the news about these people labeled "vultures". These vultures go online after a horrible or tragic event occurs and they post hateful messages about the hurt or deceased person. I cannot fathom who could be capable of such cruelty, but it occurs. At one point, Youtube had become a popular outlet for teens posting videos of themselves fighting and other horrible acts of violence. It is important for parents and other institutions to teach empathy. Classic literature, poetry, fables and other instructional materials can be utilized in the home or in the classrooms. Also, I believe it would help to examine what is the source of the anger and hatred in the actual bully. It is too easy to have sympathy for the victims of bullying, but we often ignore the pain and hurt inside of the bully. For instance, Perez Hilton was, in my opinion, a bully. He did not discriminate when teasing his victims. However, Perez was considered obese--at one point--and also had to be confronted with gay slurs aimed at him in the comments' section of his blog. It is easier to understand why it was so easy for him to be hateful and continue the cycle of hate, once his life is put into perspective.  Ideally, there would be an anonymous support source--such as a number that one could text in order to quell the pain of bullying. The schools could have some of the most popular and influential students in their school team up with the victims of bullies and help them feel comfortable at and outside of school. Pity only serves to stigmatize the victims. Bullying victims must overcome such adversity in order to help the next victims. My mother always told me, "Everyone gets teased. The prettiest girl, to the ugliest." I believe that to be true, but I also believe that it can be changed.