What to be done breaks down into two groups: what to do on an individual basis, and
what to do as a group or within the infrastructure of the school or community.
As an individual what I did as a potential victim was to use humor, logic followed by a quick foot thereafter. A bully would come to taunt me or something. I would use my gift
of wit and banter back. Best worked with a crowd around. Bullies just HATE being laughed
at. Sometimes this alone was enough. If not, I would pose some hard question that would
make the bully think. By the time he was ready to respond, I was gone, not to be beaten
upon. This worked great in grade school. I never got "beaten to a pulp ...". However,
in High School was increased sophistication. By then even bullies were brighter. All I ever
saw in bullying in HS was bullying of a psychological nature, not physical. In my time/place
in High School it was the groups of "Jocks" and "Freaks" (which was somewhat synonymous with "egghead", etc. I was continually taunted by the Athletic crowd for
having long hair. One day, I lost it and as I walked by my taunter I left hooked him as I
walked by (kept walking). This got me in trouble as this was during class break in the
hall with many witnesses. So like Moontanman, I was then an Alpha Male who would
stand for no more. I took my licks from the principal. Yet within my heart, I did feel a
sense of conviction. Could I have done it more nonviolent. Likely. The difference here
(as my limited thinking in the matter) was that in any nonviolent method, the taunting
would continue, whereas my method the taunter did stop.
Today as an adult, I prefer seeking a peaceful path if possible. At the same time from
Martial Arts training, I am still willing to fight if forced.
Secondly, what can be done as a group ? Get counselors involved in the process, investigate
what is going on with the Bully's family. If gang(s) are involved then involve the community as well.
I am not a parent, so I can only relate on a personal level (what happened to me as a
child) or in a conceptual level (outside of personal experience).
Hope this has added something to this thread.
maddog
