I came across this video of Anderson Cooper interviewing teenagers about bullying. Most of these kids have been bullied and the things they say are awful and quite scary. They bring up some good points about peer pressure, fear, and the lack in some people's understanding of the seriousness of bullying. They use the term "no escape," which is something I hear very often in this time of technology. Many kids are bullied in school (which is terrible in and of itself) but even more unfortunate is the fact that the bullies follow them home when they log onto the internet.
Here is the link from YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCNjUmGA2Tk&feature=related
What are your thoughts with respect to these kids' responses? Are there other things you see or hear about that relate to this topic?
This was one powerful video! I think the message here really speaks to the importance of developing a classroom/school community of tolerance and mutual respect. The students featured in this clip are bullied because of differences they bestow, whether they are related to sexuality or ethnicity. Too often I feel that teachers instruct in isolation, focusing exclusively on content coverage. And really who can blame them? Curricular mandates impose strict guidelines that dictate classroom instruction, yet a fundamental piece of education is preparing our students for entry into a democratic society. By teaching our students about empathy and personal accountability (all underlying tenants of digital citizenship), we leave them with a far more powerful understanding of what it means to be a member of a greater community.
ReplyDeleteAndrea, I completely agree! It would be so great if there was a class in school dedicated to being a responsible, caring citizen that teaches kids how to accept everyone and value diversity!
DeleteAs I watched this video clip I was hit by the fact that so many people hide their intolerance and inability to accept diversity behind their "religion". This has been happening continuously throughout history; The Catholic Church annhilated the Jews during the Inquisition, Hitler and the Nazi's did the same to Catholics and Jews during WWII, the Ku Klux Klan is still in operation; the White Anglo Saxon Protestants against the Catholics, Jews and Blacks. This carries on to present day hate between the Taliban and Al Qaida (sp.?) against the American "Christians" and as mentioned by the Muslim girl in the video, the Italian Catholics against her Muslim faith. NO RELIGION preaches all of this hate! It becomes political at the hands of the men and women who brainwash regular people into thinking that to be a 'good' religious person, you have to believe and follow what these corrupt leaders are preaching as truth, when all their words are really only garbage that is being taken as the truth by vulnerable people who want to think they will someday go to heaven. Again, there is always a hidden agenda, whether it be political or just intolerance because of another's differences. When I taught at the middle school level, I noticed that whenever a student thought another was 'different', he would immediately call him/her 'gay'. The misuse of the term was hurtful not only to the eccentric student, but also to the homosexual student who heard the term being used in such a derogatory way. Schools need to have courses in how to be a tolerant, accepting human beings because kids are obviously not getting this fundamental education at home, where it should begin. As I said before, it has been part of history; what should be done to combat such an epidemic of hostility to personal differences? I agree with Andrea that schools need to pick up the slack although it is hard with all the federal and state mandates placed on the curriculum.
ReplyDeletePbat, I also think it's awful that certain people try to brainwash individuals to make them think the way that they do. It's always a sad day when people treat each other with anything other than respect, and it's especially devastating to think some people believe that it is the "right" thing to do. There needs to be more education (at home, at school, in the community) teaching people and kids how to treat others with the respect everyone deserves.
DeleteI agree Pbat, religion should be a system that promotes tolerance and love, not an excuse for hatred. Anybody who uses religion in that way isn't truly a religious person.
DeleteThis is something that has always angered me. This should not be the purpose of religion, and some people use it as a terrible excuse for their actions. I agree with Dan that religion should be about love and acceptance.
DeleteThe internet is a fantastic way to escape the real world. When children are bullied at school it's horrible for them and sometimes they go to the internet to take a break from the crappy situations that go on in school. When bullying follows them online then it really is like they have no escape. I can't even imagine how some people take that kind of pressure on all aspects of their lives especially feeling like they have no where to go to escape from it all.
ReplyDeleteIt's horrible to think that for some kids the bullying never stops because it follows them when they go home. Unfortunately, some kids can't take the pressure and feel the only escape is by taking their own lives. I really wish more media and more people on TV would stress these issues so everyone around the globe could be taking small steps to end this terrible thing that has been happening in the world.
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