In class we have been discussing the roles that we choose from day to day and from event to event. Specifically in class, we have discussed the roles of individuals who were directly and indirectly affected during World War II and then again in the Vietnam Conflict. We have even taken a step closer to our personal knowledge base and discussed the roles that we choose in our day to day lives within our school building; specifically when it comes to stereotyping and prejudices. In preparation for Thursday's assembly, "Rachel's Challenge," we began discuss Columbine, school violence, and from where it might stem.
Over the last two days we watched the film, "Bang, Bang, You're Dead." We watched as a trouble student goes on an amazing journey to figure out right from wrong, while choosing roles that are dangerous and then again hopeful. The roles of perpetrator, bystander, victim, and rescuer are witnessed and sometimes by the same character. Each individual in the movie has a point and shows a perspective of ourselves and those around us. In short...not one person is ever the only person to blame in the end. Think about the movie and the discussions that we have started in class. Think about the following...
How do people respond when feeling victimized, fearful and hopeless? Trevor had two paths he could take: Be the “X” or be the perpetrator. What is the “X” Mr. Duncan referred to? How can individuals, families, schools, and communities help cultivate the “X” factor? Which of the paths mentioned above takes more strength of character?
12 comments:
I don't really know how to explain what I want to say so I'm going to do my best with what I got. Before talking about and learning the importance of Rachel's challenge, I'll admit I never took the time to step back and look at the big picture and a little piece of me is wanting to say that it's because I was tormented before I made the friends I have now and came to high school with a new look on life, but that isn't the reason and there is no excuse for me or anyone to want to blame other people. In order to start to become part of the solution I've learned through watching Bang Bang You're Dead and talking in group discussions that you have to stop being part of the problem in order to start being able to work toward being a solution. This whole experience moved me more than anything else I've ever had to deal with and I think it's a great thing that it's finally getting out to people that in order to change the world we have to change ourselves to fit in that world first.
I have been a victim of bullying since I entered middle school. I believe it depends on the type of person you are and the family you were raised with on how you react when someone violates you.
A guy in one of my classes has harassed me since my sophomore year of high school. A couple days ago during class, he said something inappropriate to me. I was so mad, because I've kept in my feelings the whole time because I was scared. The anger finally built up inside me, and I told him exactly what I felt. I believe this is what happens to these kids who bring guns to school. Their anger builds up inside them for too long, and they run away with it. I cussed this guy and probably said every word in the book to him until I was stopped. I felt like walking up to him and punching him. For the rest of the class period, I was shaking and I felt like crying. I shouldn't have to go through that when I'm trying to get an education.
When you're bullied, you feel like you're alone. You go to school everyday and you dread seeing that person because you don't want to be humiliated in front of your peers. It's embarassing, and one of the worst feelings in the world. I don't think people realize the emotional impact it has on people's lives, or else they wouldn't do it.
In middle school, I had no true friends. When someone would bully or harass me, I would report it. However, I refuse to do that anymore. Reporting it only made the situation worse than it already was. I was bullied even more than I was before I told someone, which shouldn't have happened. Middle school were the worst years of my life.
To be honest, I don't know how you would stop it. Everyday when I walk the halls of Riverside High School, I see bullying. I see bullying in all of my classes. I believe people do it to improve their social status or to look "cool", which is absolutely pathetic. We don't know what someone might be going through outside of school/work, therefore, we shouldn't make their lives more miserable. We are all equal.
Whenever I see bullying going on, I don't report it. I don't report it because I know if I do, my name would be mentioned. In middle school, I chose to remain anonymous, however, they still mentioned my name. It made my life worse, and I refuse to go through that again. The fear is what keeps me from doing something about it.
This experience has made me see things in a totally different way! At school I never really payed any attention to people bullying, but ever since we've started these movies and had discussions it has made me open my eyes and see everything around me. From what I've learned from the discussions and whatching the movies I've come to think that people who bully or try to hurt others get somewhat pleasure out of themselves because truly inside they aren't who they want to be, and people who get bullied think that they don't have anywhere to turn to. I believe that they just need a friend or someone that they can talk to and share their feelings with, someone to show them that there is others ways out of getting bullied besides killing/harming themselves and/or others. I think Rachel's Challenge will be a life changing experience for some people. I think that people should stand up for others instead of trying to fit in and be part of the problem.
Thank you for being so honest with your comments. I find it alarming that high school students have to be victims to bullying. How do you think we can stop this? Do you think we should at least develop a plan and implement a plan to stop bullying at RHS? I would be interested in talking with you about your ideas.
Wow. Everyone's posts are so truthful and sincere. I really believe that you all are willing to do whatever it takes to start a change. The next step is to continue having these discussions and generating ideas. How do we take back our school, our community, and our society??? Tough questions.
I don't think that bullying can be stopped. I think that this behavior starts in the child's home, they are taught that bullying is ok. Then it's like an on going cycle because they are going to teach their kids that its ok and it will just keep happening.
My mom, grandma, and I were talking about this and have came up with a couple of solutions. My mom was talking to me about how bullying began affecting my life in kindergarten. I was surprised, because I don't remember that. I guess I was too young to realize it.
I believe that we need to have a committee for students against bullying. In order to do this, it would require a lot of organization, brainstorming, and students that are willing to help.
What will this committee do, you ask? Let's say there is a new student in our school. This new student does not know their way around the school, does not have any friends, etc. A committee member could be assigned to every new student who enters the building. The member will be required to achieve several tasks, such as:
1) Showing the new student around the school.
2) Introducing the new student to the teachers.
3) Introducing the new student to their friends so they won't feel lost or excluded.
4) Trying to influence the student to become involved in sports or certain clubs.
ETC!
In order to stop bullying, we need to stop it from the core. This seems to start in elementary school. At my elementary school, I don't remember hearing about bullying. To be truthfully honest, I don't think I knew what bullying was.
We could have the commitee members from Riverside High School go around from school to school, and even community to community. We need to let students know that bullying is not okay and the damage it has on people's lives.
In elementary school, I assume that these children look up to the "big kids", which would be high schoolers. If we set an example, they won't carry on the tradition of bullying.
For example, the committee could take field trips to elementary schools throughout the valley. We could perform plays and talk to students individually about what bullying is, how to stop it, and how it affects people.
I also think it would be great to do this for middle schoolers since we are their role models. For the upcoming freshman, we could have something separate for them since they are getting ready to enter high school and they are getting ready to adjust to a totally different environment.
After reading everyone's comment I feel like I can finally come forth and not be tormented for it.
I've never been one of the "it" people in school and I've never really been able to open up to be because every time I try I would end up getting picked on. It seemed that everytime I would say something and it wasn't what someone wanted to hear or it didn't come from the right person I got bullied for my opinion on things, so I learned through being tormented, beat, and bullied that if I kept my mouth shut and don't talk to people then I wouldn't be put in that situation again. Since then I have built up a wall around myself that basically no one can get through and I feel like I'm alone in the world the majority of the time.
My point isn't to be wordy and it isn't to try to bring pitty to myself, that's got to be the last thing I want. What I want to see happen rather is that everyone take time to learn and accept that everyone has an opinion on everything and if we could just step out of that little box called "normal" that we surround outselves with and actually look at the big picture and see that nothing in the world around us is normal, it's just a word we use to regulate what we don't understand; a way to undermine peoples beliefs without actually having to take the responsibility for our actions. Getting people to take a step back and some time out to think about whats going on and actually learning about other peoples backgrounds is just one of the many ways that we can gain our society not just our school back from all the bullying and harassment going on around us. My questions to everyone, although possibly the answers may be unattainable, are this: Why do we feel the need to put up the barriers around us to block something different from us out, yet we say we're up to learn about and try new things? and Why not become part of the solution instead of fueling the problem?
I believe that if we can answer those questions and find ways to integrate new things into peoples lives little by little then we may be able to stop the bullying and start something great!
I'm a classmate to the students that respond to this blog. I am shocked by the way they answered this blog. It is a very emotional topic to talk about and they have alot of courage to answer the question as they did.
I'm the type of person that likes to ask questions and observe people, so I can understand what their life is like. Everyone is different and you can always learn something from them.
What does bullying mean in my opinion? I think bullying is a way to down another person to make your self feel better. The dictionary meaning of a bully is a person that intimidates smaller and weaker people.
I wasn't bullied as much as others growing up. My mom always taught me to stand up for myself. She also taught me to treat others the way you would want to be treated, and to always use good mannners. Me as a kid didn't comprehend that well, but as I grew and matured I understood it better. I do know what it feels like to be bullied and it hurts your pride and so much more.
I see bullying at school all the time in the halls, classrooms, and after school activites. Mrs. Potter asks us "what can done to eliminate bullying?" In my opinion I think the cause of bullying in our school comes from bad parential actions and suppervisson. Most parents don't care if their child fails, skips school, or recieves suspension. The parents bad actions lead to bad influences to their child, which causes problems in our schools enviroment. I suggest to reach out to all parents!
We as students are in school to get educated so we can live a better life, not to get torminted or abused so bad we don't want to come to school.
I think Rachael's Challenge will be a big step on stop bullying!
I also think this blog website is neat and Chez should post some more topics.
Most think of bullying as the pushing and shoving. Words can sometimes leave bigger scars that the bruises and external wounds, they heal. Its what a person hides on the inside that eats and dwells within long after what has been said is said, while they are awake or asleep. We are suppose to treat people as we want to be treated, a rule that is not enforced by ourselves. Towards those doing the obvious bullying I have heard some say, "an eye for and eye, a tooth for a tooth" If that was the case, we would all be blind and toothless. Everyone, self included, should stop to think before we speak.
Our words are our most powerful tools that we possess. It is how we tell people what we need, how we feel, and unfortunately it is the easiest and most painful way we have to hurt one another. I believe that verbal bullying is what takes place most often in our society.
I was watching a talk show the other day and Bill Cosby was a guest; he had paraphrased a statement that he had once heard and I think it is a powerful and sincere statement. "Hurt people hurt people." It is the truth. Our words are the most dangerous when we feel hurt and embarassment. The greatest lesson we could all learn is to take a breather and think before we speak.
Erica, Annie, Justin, Sam and P&J: Thanks for your comments and suggestions. After attending the assembly today, do you think we can make strides towards making a difference?
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