Time to stop the bullies
The following letter was in the Dec. 12, 2008 issue of The Bugle-Observer
Dear Editor,
December 17 for Blue Day, what a good idea!
We need a day, we need time every day, to be aware of the bullies in our midst and the damage they do to innocent victims. We cannot prevent what we are not aware of.
Bullies come in all shapes and sizes. Typically we think of a schoolyard/lunchbag situation, but it can start well before that, and can continue on through life.
Sibling rivalry starts early sometimes, and can be dangerous and relentless. Schoolyard bullies grow up and join the workforce and business world, and start their own families. Some husbands bully their wives, some wives bully their husbands, both can bully their children, their elderly parents, their kids' teachers, their waitress in the restaurant, their neighbours, other drivers on the road, their employees, their work-mates...
Bullying is everywhere around us. Where there are people, there are people who make mistakes, it's part of the learning process. Bullying is one of those mistakes that young people make sometimes as they're learning how to deal with life, and if it pays off in good results the first time, they are naturally inclined to repeat the behavior whenever they encounter another problem. For some people it becomes a way of life. Unless they are stopped.
There are some real big nasty bullies in the world, like those who set bombs in hotels to get their point across. Substitute "bully" for "terrorist". Hitler was nothing but a horrible, powerful bully. Currently, as always throughout history, there are people in power in some countries of the world who rule by bullying their citizens and threatening others.
The recent Canadian federal election and American presidential election campaigns were both a shameless cornucopia of bullying incidents, as the candidates did their utmost to ruin the reputation of their opponents by casting aspersions on their character with falsehoods and innuendo, trying to stir up the most base feelings of "the mob". It was verbal abuse, broadcast into our homes daily. What an example to set for the youth of these two countries and the world. If this is acceptable for the highest office in these two nations, no wonder your local neighbourhood bullies think it's alright to behave that way!
It is currently still happening in Ottawa. Instead of stating facts in their speeches, many of our leaders are making broad-sweeping false statements to create fear and distrust about other elected politicians.
It makes me feel sick. Sadly I heard a local politician on TV the other day in New Brunswick do the same thing. I say stop it! Behave the way we expect our children to behave. Set a proper example. Children learn by what they see and hear. Is this how you behave at home too?
And then there is the workplace bully – one which is seldom talked about, and therefore unknown and dangerous.
We are gathering a collection of true stories about adult bullying in New Brunswick, and invite contributions. Are you being bullied? How have you tried to deal with it, who have you asked for help, did you get any help? Is there enough help available? What help do you need? Are you a bully and don't know how to stop?
E-mail to GrannysPlace@nb.aibn.com Confidential unless you give permission otherwise.
It's time we got serious about stopping bullying in every aspect of our society.
Wherever it exists, it is ugly and unecessary, and innocent people are suffering, right this moment as you read this – people you are related to, people you know, people you work with, people you go to church with or pass on the street. Shall we just let them continue suffering, or shall we help?
Everyone sign the petition for Blue Day.
Christine Roberts,
Jacksonville
