My opinions, quotes, and random blibber-babble

Opinions on bullying

I am pissed. Very very pissed. Beware of this rant!

Who the fuck do you people think you are? Just because we're in America, it does not mean we have a free right to fucking drive someone to commit suicide!

Let me read to you the very first Amendment to the United States Constitution.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Hmmm, Religion, freedom of speech, freedom of press.... Nope, no 'Congress shall allow dickwads to verbally harass people who are different than they are' in here.

So, there's no written law I know of that will let you be a total asshole to people. Is there a law AGAINST it?

Yep. While there's no FEDERAL LAW against it, fourty-five states have some sort of law against bullying. So, what defines bullying? Let's look at a few different definitions of it.

According to Bullyingstasics.org, this is bullying: "Bullying can take place in or out of school and in person or through other means of communication. When it occurs online, in, for example, emails, text messages, or in posts on websites, it is referred to as cyberbullying. Bullying can be verbal or physical, and when physical, it can be directed against a person, a person's property, or be used to intimidate, rather than inflict damage to the person or his or her property. Verbal bullying can include name-calling, threatening, or teasing someone, or making obscene remarks or spreading rumors about someone. Bullying can be peer-to-peer, or be done by younger people to older people or vice versa."

Stopbullying.org defines it as severe, pervasive or persistent behavior, actions that creates a hostile environment at school. That is, it is sufficiently serious that it interferes with or limits a student's ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or opportunities offered by a school and aggressive behavior based on a student's race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or religion.

Wikipedia defines it as: "(Bullying is) the use of force, threat, or coercion to abuse, intimidate, or aggressively impose domination over others."

But WHY?

Well, it all depends on the situation, but studies have shown that bullying may be caused by the feeling of sexual threat. They're trying to undermine you, so you're no longer a danger to their hierarchy.

But how do you get help?

It's easy. Speak up. Let them know you're not afraid of them (even if you are!) and you're not afraid to take any action you deem necessary to protect yourself.

If worst comes to worst, you DO have someone standing behind you. Stick to public places. People WILL stand up for you, even if they're total strangers! People may walk by and not give two fucks, but they're just afraid of getting involved, even if they deny it.

So. What I guess what I'm trying to say is to stay strong, no matter what they say. You'll always be amazing.