Take a Stand

Bullying takes all forms, not just physical beatings. Do not kid yourself that words mean nothing. They are often more powerful to a young mind than a fist or bat. Abuse is abuse. I was abused verbally and emotionally, probably because the kids sense something different that make the other vulnerable. I don’t know, maybe it starts with being sweet and genuinely happy. All I know is that by junior high, I was a wreck. Unable to stop the beatings, teasings and humiliation in the boy’s lavatory. Something changed then…I went to Senior High, and if I was looked at sideways, I put the kid down – hard. It made for a very lonely period. I hated it and I hated High School with a passion. I was 6′2″, 210 lbs and strong. I can still remember the last beating I took the year before. I promised my self it would never happen again, ever.

Don’t think that what that boy did to the red head was insignificant. He is alone out in public, away from his support, and he is small, feeling small. Confidence is bred inside out. He does not feel strong because he is a red flag flapping in the breeze. When the other boy, with friends and at home in public with others, colours his hair to match the other boy, he is saying, “Lay off that kid. He is one of ours.” Classic animal adoption behaviour, in a moment of compassion, he brings the outsider in, gives him a place and security in the troop. Besides verbal communication, it may be the one thing Man has that made him the survivor he is, the ability to feel compassion, to empathise associatively with someone in pain, and having the ability to bring them into the security of the pack.

No… no one ever brought me in. I have been and always will be a lone wolf on the outside looking in. But they will never put me on my back again. Never.