Don’t Bully

Photo by Morgan Basham on Unsplash.

Stand-up comedy, politics, late night television and other popular venues, like tabloid pseudo-newspapers, have institutionalized bullying, all for a good laugh, a catchy soundbite or a quick buck. If funny enough, or mean enough, the best zingers re-air on other programs. The best bullies are rich, revered and/or in positions of power, but adults of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds bully one another and model it for the next generation.

Before you say wealthy public figures, celebrities or members of the opposing political party deserve such satire and vitriol, ask yourself which of these responses is appropriate for your seven-year-old when he or she comes home from school puffy-eyed and dejected.

• Well, Billy, when you look different, you really do deserve to have others make fun of you.

• Oh, Annie, your ideas are unusual, so other kids have the right to call you stupid and make fun of you.

• It’s a public school, Matt. As a public figure, you’re fair game for attack. Just get over it.

• They’re just having fun, Lisa. It’s comedy. They’re making other kids laugh, so give them a pass on their meanness.

Only when adults stop modeling and applauding bullying, will children stop doing it.