by Joliette 19 Replies latest jw friends
How ironic. Big bullies making a skit about how to react to bullies.
Good one.
The vid is not terrible, but it starts with running away and many bullied kids will see that and not get past that point. It's a bit too strong on not fighting back. Situations vary and sometimes fighting back (at least defending yourself) will be the better answer.
Black and white thinkers giving advice to a child on how to stop getting bullied. They have all the answers it is all so black and white even the title is misleading as it suggests an ironclad answer, but offers only some practical advice with no definate solution as the title suggests(hype in the title).
One thing I did like about the video is that it had some nice drawing to illustrate why people bully others not all the reasonson but a fairly rounded out sumation. This video is a hole lot better and less psychologically harmful than the Sparlock, or Be Jehovah Friend vidoes.
Have to admit, I like the animation and style of the video. Surprising that it's from the WT. Matter fact I wonder if they hired some outside talent to produce it? Have to tip my hat off to them on this one, although I don't agree entirely with their approach on how to deal with bullies.
Me personally, I strongly believe that the most effective way to deal with bullies is to defend yourself and make an example out them. He puts his hands on you, you beat the shit out of him. Win, lose, or draw, they'll respect you for having enough heart to fight back. They may even embrace you. But turning the other cheek doesn't work when you're dealing with animals, and plenty of kids/teenagers are only a chromosome away from being a bonafide animal. Running away will get you labeled as a coward, and telling school officials will get a snitch jacket put on you. Those options have the potential to make the situation worse as the teachers, school administrators, and your parents won't always be there to protect you. The emotional turmoil of being viewed and labeled as a snitch or a coward can be worse than the actual physical abuse. What's left? You fight back. One of my favorite videos. Kid had enough and did what he had to do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amj8IHa3qbA
When I defended myself once, the bullies stopped but I got a severe beating for disobedience to the bible.
I got the opposite. If I didn't defend myself, I'd get a beating or even worse a severe verbal lashing when I got home.
I was given this same directive as a hemophiliac child. To give you an example, I can bleed internally if I tie my shoelaces too tight, so physical attacks are much worse for me than the average person. When bullies assaulted me I was told I must turn the other cheek so they may hit me on the other side like Jesus, not run away or defend myself.
When I defended myself once, the bullies stopped but I got a severe beating for disobedience to the bible.
Okay, not defending the bullies or bullying, but at least the bullies probably didn't know how serious it was to your health to be physically bullied... but your parents did. And the fact that they beat you for defending yourself from attack, or even demand that you allow others to physically attack you, knowing full well your situation, makes them criminally negligent.
Bullies need a good ass kicking, parents like that need to be locked up and have parenting rights take away.
rebel8: When I defended myself once, the bullies stopped but I got a severe beating for disobedience to the bible.
Great, bullies at school and bullies at home!
Apparently this has been the experience of many born-in JWs. It's not surprising considering that the GB model bullying from the top-down.
it starts with running away
But Jesus commands to turn the other cheek so they may strike that one. Have they found New Light TM then?
the bullies probably didn't know how serious it was to your health to be physically bullied
I can see why you'd think that, but they really did know it quite well. They targeted specific physical attacks to take advantage of it, in fact. One of their games was to deliberately make bruises in a particular shape, in a visible area so I'd be embarrassed later. The biggest bullies I had (other than my jw parent) were jw kids, whose jw parent laughed her head off at their attacks, along with my jw mother.
... but your parents did. And the fact that they beat you for defending yourself from attack, or even demand that you allow others to physically attack you, knowing full well your situation, makes them criminally negligent.
My jw parent knew and yes she is negligent. She committed many crimes against me over the years.
I was forced to keep this quiet from my non-jw parent so as not to give a bad witness. Once I told him and he figuratively kicked the ass of one kid, who never bothered me again--as normal parents should. He would have never let all that go on if he knew. Never. I told him once when I was an adult and he was horrified.
Not trying to make this thread about me, just to explain the many paradoxes a jw victim can be put it. Can't fight back, run away, or tell anyone--and there are scriptures to back it up. There are many others who had worse experiences than I did, sadly.
"I was bullied in school. I didn't use my fist. I used my foot. Those bullies were afraid of me. A well place hoof to the shins or knee and they were running from me." Exactly What can be fun about not using your fist to stop bullies?
"But Jesus commands to turn the other cheek so they may strike that one. Have they found New Light TM then?"
I am so tired of this "Jesus commands" Jesus did not command anything. He was not a commander.
He did not command field service or the memorial or paying taxes or anything.
Ratigan --- huh? Those aren't Jesus' words to turn the other cheek for more abuse?
"It [bullying] could also be verbal, teasing and name calling, or even social, excluding people, starting rumors ..."
So then we're in agreement. Labeling people that leave the WT organization as "disloyal," "mentally-diseased" and calling them "apostates" and shunning them is a form of bullying.
At least they admit they're bullies. Oh, wait a minute, they don't. It's only bullying when other people do it!
I liked the advice about avoiding places you might be bullied (2:41"). Great idea. I guess we should all stay away from the Kingdom Halls!
"Shine a spotlight on their actions" (3:10") by posting TTATT here on JWN.
