When The Push Comes To Shove

"160,000 kids will stay home instead of going to school
because of the bullying they would have to face."

Throughout the week my fellow classmates and I have been focused on a most peculiar book: Lord of the Flies. A large portion of the class has been lured into the book by the wonders that Golding presents. Though, there is one fact that I can't seem to get by: the bullying tendencies the young boys share. These unforgiving blows and snide comments cause the boys to view each other as anathemas, and forget the circumstances of which fate as given them. These blinded ambitions may cause those struggles and conflicts in the near future, but they must also solve their differences instead of forcing ignominy upon their allies.

The reasons for bullying are perpetual. Many infer that this heresy is typically because of an unhealthy home life, a lack of self-confidence, or the bullying of the bully themselves. Whatever the cause, there need not be an effect. These extraneous actions cause damage to the victim -and the predator- later in their lives. Just as poor Kristina Calco had been coerced into her own death when she committed suicide in December of 2006. According to WWMT.com,  every day more than 160,000 kids will stay home instead of go to school because of the bullying they would have to face. Kristina Calco's mom has been inspired to share her story on bullying and share her daughter's story with the world. Sharing our thoughts may help to create rules to limit these behaviors, but with every rule comes a rule-breaker. These assaults will never cease, even if rules are attempted. So even though Kristina Calco's mother is quite an inspiring and strong woman, I doubt her attempt for her daughter will ever fully accomplish its noble purposes.

Bullying can blind. It can get to the point to where the attacker becomes blind at the height of punishment they are bestowing upon their victim. Bullies may feel tough and mean, but they are merely hurting young souls, looking to find themselves in this wide world we thrive in. I am not saying you must love towards your bully (or any other distant combatants), but you must understand their point of view on the matter. Many antagonists believe that by making another being hurt as they have previous, it will somehow heal them in the process. Though this method only maddens the assailant to a level of dissatisfaction. They go into a state of madness; panicking for their prey to hurt as they have; craving to find themselves once again.

"He garners so much emotion
in such a young age."

My brother has suffered under these merciless conditions. He never gets a break. My greatest fear in this life is that he will never experience the true allegiance of a best friend. He may be big for his age and a little young-minded compared to his peers, but he is the most compassionate soul I have ever been blessed to come in contact with. He garners so much emotion in such a young age. My poor brother was involved in an impacting car accident a few years back and fate granted him a few scars to add to his bullying burden. These marks of tragedy plus his perfectly imperfect smile make him the ideal victim for bullies. He puts what is right before what is the reasonable course of action.

I love my adolescent brother with all of my heart and would never wish this treatment upon any other being. Bullying wears on the soul and builds up over time. Luckily, my sibling is merely to the point where it rolls right off his shoulders and does not begrudge him as I fear. Though I have been there to experience his hurt on the days he realizes how careless these bullies treat him.

Bullying is a crime within itself. No one should have to experience this pitiless form of punishment. Then again, most of us aren't given a choice.

"Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself."

Harvey Fierstein