Bullies Cross the Line, But Why Don’t the Authorities?

I wanted to ease into my Monday by spending some time with the NY Times, delivered electronically to my inbox each morning. So, I poured myself a second cup of coffee and settled in, with the dog curled up at my feet. The first headline that caught my eye was A Boy The Bullies Love to Beat Up, Repeatedly. Good bye easy morning. Hello outrage. Click here to read the piece.

What is wrong with us today? How is it that a boy like Billy, so much like the fictional character in Jodi Piccoult’s The Tenth Circle, has to endure repeated beatings, online harassment, and just plain mean, nasty attacks from his schoolmates almost daily?

His parents must be so overwhelmed with anger, sadness, pity, and frustration; I cannot imagine. That Billy’s principal had the absolute gall to say that Billy is somehow “asking for it” makes my blood absolutely boil, and I have never met this kid or his parents and have never been to the city in which he lives. But there are Billies (and Betties) in virtually every school in every city in this country. As the kids say, “WTF?”

I’m often accused of being too simplistic, too black-and-white-rules-are-rules. But, COME ON! I don’t care how whiny, obnoxious, or otherwise offensive Billy may or may not be, and I’m not saying he’s any of those things, remember, I don’t know him; he doesn’t deserve to be physically and emotionally assaulted in school. The way I see it, the school is at fault, no matter what. Either, 1. Billy is an incorrigible brat (unlikely) that the teachers and administrators can’t or won’t discipline, so the other kids take matters into their own hands, or 2. (More likely) the PTB can’t or won’t control the bullies. I’ll take door number two, thanks.

Why won’t the authorities cross the line and do whatever’s needed to ensure that the Billies of the world can feel safe at school? What say you?

Until Next Time,

Joan

(c) Joan McCue 2008 All Rights Reserved