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Anger. Misery. You'll suffer unto me.
Jun. 17th, 2006 01:17 pmIn case you don't feel angry enough on your Saturday...
http://www.massnews.com/2006_editions/6_june/61506_boy_beaten_in_lexington.htm
This incident makes me sick to my stomach on several levels. First of all, this "newspaper" is clearly slanted toward the far Right, and that's fine. They are entitled to their opinion. Unfortunately, it tries to create the impression that the "lesbian activist" in the community somehow instigated or commissioned the beating of the boy when obviously she didn't. The second disgusting thing is the boy's father. You could argue that if he doesn't like the school, he should send his son to a different one, start homeschooling, etc. You could also argue that he shouldn't have to. Whatever. I get the impression, however, that he has been using his son as a political football in his private war from day one. Well, now his son has been used as an actual football. Way to go, dad.
Playground violence... I don't have the words to convey how angry it makes me feel. You think the first graders involved in this instance understand the huge, complicated, adult issues going on here? I doubt it. They did what cute, adorable, wonderful little children everywhere always do. They singled out the kid who was "different" and they beat the shit out of him.
Oh, but playground bullying "happens." "Boys will be boys." Etc, etc. I've even heard the argument put forth that it "prepares you for the real world" and teaches you the important lesson that "life isn't fair." After all, "I did it/had it done to me" and I "turned out okay."
No you didn't.
Do children a favor. If you want to knock them around to prepare them for the real world, show them the same courtesy you show them by hiring teachers to teach them. That is to say, have professionals do it. Drill instructors, prefarably. You want to toughen a kid up? Let him spend his recess periods getting yelled at by R. Lee Ermey, not getting lynched behind the jungle gym by Henry Bowers and his gang.
http://www.massnews.com/2006_editions/6_june/61506_boy_beaten_in_lexington.htm
This incident makes me sick to my stomach on several levels. First of all, this "newspaper" is clearly slanted toward the far Right, and that's fine. They are entitled to their opinion. Unfortunately, it tries to create the impression that the "lesbian activist" in the community somehow instigated or commissioned the beating of the boy when obviously she didn't. The second disgusting thing is the boy's father. You could argue that if he doesn't like the school, he should send his son to a different one, start homeschooling, etc. You could also argue that he shouldn't have to. Whatever. I get the impression, however, that he has been using his son as a political football in his private war from day one. Well, now his son has been used as an actual football. Way to go, dad.
Playground violence... I don't have the words to convey how angry it makes me feel. You think the first graders involved in this instance understand the huge, complicated, adult issues going on here? I doubt it. They did what cute, adorable, wonderful little children everywhere always do. They singled out the kid who was "different" and they beat the shit out of him.
Oh, but playground bullying "happens." "Boys will be boys." Etc, etc. I've even heard the argument put forth that it "prepares you for the real world" and teaches you the important lesson that "life isn't fair." After all, "I did it/had it done to me" and I "turned out okay."
No you didn't.
Do children a favor. If you want to knock them around to prepare them for the real world, show them the same courtesy you show them by hiring teachers to teach them. That is to say, have professionals do it. Drill instructors, prefarably. You want to toughen a kid up? Let him spend his recess periods getting yelled at by R. Lee Ermey, not getting lynched behind the jungle gym by Henry Bowers and his gang.
