BULLY

Learn What has Happened to "Childhood"

Approaching 73 years in age, grandfather of six grandchildren, former single parent, I was shaken by the docu-movie Bully.  I thought my childhood was hard, but racism, poverty, and other social ills did not result in suicide appearing to be the only escape.

We tend to think the person who commits suicide is the "victim", but if you see this film, you will quickly learn that all of the children are the  "victims" of many things that human beings can change.

Whether the bully, the bullied, the cheerleader or the scared non-participant, all of the children were caught up in a tragedy.  It has all the markings of mob psychology and not all members of the mob were present at the bullying.

Having lost a sister to suicide (as an adult, not as a child), I have "walked in the shoes" of the family members who have lost their loved ones.  In one of my Drucker classes I learned how Voodoo Death Works.  There are strong similarities in bullying; the "selecting out" the roles of the non-bullied, the acceptance (of a sort) of the bullied, and death.

Paramount in this matter is the role of the community.  The predominating beliefs held, the lack of dissent or exception, no safe passages from the pressures exerted.  The "lock" that most often leads to the death outcome is the "shared beliefs" held by the victim.

It seems that as a child we could always find at least one adult who could "hear" us.  Who is willing or has the time today?  No child committed suicide in our segregated small town community.

Stay Vigilant!  We can escape these traps and save our children and ourselves.

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