Rant On:
My son and I were in front of our U.P. home recently. I was collecting the mail and my son was riding his bike. Two adolescent boys were walking down the street (I suspect that they were from the local middle school that just had school dismissal). These boys yelled to my young son, right in front of me, "Hey Fatty, pedal faster! Maybe then you'll lose some weight!" Then they cackled and ran off. Now, this would be horrifying for ANY person (adult or child), but my child has learning disabilities and this was pure DEVASTATION. Way to go kiddos! Way to use your words. Way to bully; what a great lesson in human cruelty.
Neighborhood, let's discuss. Perhaps readers and bloggers, you can restore my faith in humankind.
Now back to your regularly scheduled local lore.
Rant Off.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
9 comments:
Kids are really tough on one another... sensitivity and caring come late, late in life... I do not think I got to the point in my life that I realized other people had feelings until I hit my late forties (could be I am just taking a long time to grow up),,,
I have a number of friends now who actually listen to each other and support each other... I am glad I found them...
Kim, I am really sorry your child got hit with our human messiness...
Tell him Joseph is keeping him in his good thoughts and wishes him the best
Joseph
Kim, this is a topic near and dear to my heart. Children, particularly middle schooler, can be cruel. It is unfortunate that the naughty boys ran off before you could do a little educating about tolerance. If you have the time and wherewithall contact your neighborhood schools and find out what they are teaching about tolerance.
There is nothing that hurts a mother's heart more than seeing a child wounded in a way that a kiss won't cure. All we can do is give our children as much self-confidence as possible to withstand the opinions of others. It is a slower process with a child who has other challenges, but it can be done. Your son is in my heart, Kim.
Friends:
Thank you so much for your words and comments. It helps. Yes, I wish I could have caught up with those kids or better their parents for some discussion.
I will tell my boy that two really great people are thinking of him and how cool they are.
And Joseph, I liked your comment about human messiness. I think this sums this up well!
Kim
I just don't understand mean-spirited humour...but the kids hear and see it everywhere, especially on television. They listen to their parents laugh, they laugh...and people are hurt.
Oh for that "Instant Karma" when it would do the most good! Lots of love to Justin...and to you, Mama Kim. Beauty is as beauty does.
In regards to the incident cited - this comment will be useless. Owing to a deficiency of social skills, etc. I never knew what to say when this happened to myself and my son, until...a week later! However, I had been raised with my grandmom's "ripple effect" story, from the time I could walk. So not only did I know it was unkind, cruel and intolerant to model such behavior
at that instant - but I had also been told it would
(not could) have consequences, as what we do individually affects all of us. This also applies to positive behavior. I believe this story and stories like it stand-out because they quietly emphasize the perspective of interconnection between people,
which is sometimes lacking today.
I firmly believe that, although it will be of little comfort now to Justin, that one day the evil that these boys did will be visited on them. Just as we are rewarded for the good that we do, the bad comes around to greet us later.
Perhaps our Blog Squad could think about the occasional visit to schools?
As I've said so many times: Thinking about saving the world seems just so big and impossible...but a corner of the world touches us every day and we can have the ripple effect, out through the world.
Hi all.
Thanks for your comments, all of 'em.
A couple of things:
1. The gift in this incident was that Justin and I have been able to have heart to heart conversations. It was there he confessed to me that this is not the first time this has happened. Good dialog, reassurance, and solutions abounded as a result.
2. Our local primary schools have a decent tolerance program, however, I am sure about the older students and other schools. That's worth checking into.
3. The other thing, I reminded myself, is that I suspect, kids that bully, are exposed to this at home (via the media, other people) or suffer direct verbal abuse from an adult. That's a cycle that oughtta get our energy to get broken.
Kim
Kim, you are very wise in all your understandings of this unfortunate incident. Through it you and Justin will be stronger for dealing with the next one. We all suffer slights and cruel comments both intentional and thoughtless. Unfortunately, not all children and adults are equipped to deal with it. You are going a long way to help Justin grow into adulthood.
Post a Comment