As the Truth sees it…

Bullying has been a part of American school tradition since the dawn of the educational system. In every school, there has always been those who make it their business to pick on individuals or groups — whether it be mentally, physically or emotionally.
Many times there is no rhyme or reason why bullies choose their victims. Reasons could include money, race, size, intelligence and popularity. Or you just may have braces and red hair or have just worn the same shoes as the bully. It doesn’t take much to get a bully’s engine started.
When I was in school, I used to hope a bully would try to make a name for themselves by going after me. But since I wasn’t a small, defenseless kid with no self-confidence, that opportunity never came. Bullies are cowards by nature and will always will be. They go after those who won’t fight back.
However, in saying all of that, when I first heard about the anti-bullying laws that many states are creating, I was strongly against them. And I still am, I think.
Even after learning about the sad case of 15-year old Phoebe Prince, who committed suicide in January after being bullied for several months by a group of her classmates at South Hadley High (Massachusetts), I do not believe there is a need for bullying laws.
From media accounts, Prince immigrated from Ireland recently and had dated a popular football player at school. For some reason this enraged several female classmates and for the next three months they hounded Prince with text messages, threats, taunts and harassment. On the day she killed herself, it’s reported that a few of her tormentors drove by her as she walked home and yelled insults such as “Irish slut” and “Irish whore.” They also threw a soda at her, according to published accounts.
Nine students will be charged with harassment and assault that lead to Prince’s suicide. And now there is a question on whether the parents of the bullies should also face criminal charges.
In the past, on many of my blogs or columns, I have been accused of wanting the government to get involved in every aspect of our daily lives. While I do not think that is true, I do not think it’s they should over play their hand in this situation.
It’s not that I don’t think these particular students did their best to cause Prince harm. Or that their parents were criminally neglect in not knowing or allowing their children to intimidate a young girl. But not all bullying situations rise to this level. If we start creating laws to prevent people from saying mean things, than we are going even farther down the road of building a spineless generation.
Instead of laws, we should teach the youth not only to be accepting of those who may be different, but to have the courage to stick up for those who are being bullied. But most importantly, instill self confidence in every student.
Those are qualities that can be taught at school and at home. Until that happens, bullies will continue to plague the Princes of the world. And no laws will stop them.
Michael Kinney