Repeatedly we are bombarded with "No Bully Zone" in our schools. Children are taught via television ads, cartoon plots, and in special posters in the classroom and presentations in the classroom that bullying is bad. Then they observe the adults. They observe the adults in our government bully anyone that doesn't have the same belief system that they have, and it is lauded in the media as 'bravery' to confront a supposed ill to society. They observe talk show hosts berate invited guests because they don't like the subject of their latest book or a statement they made, or the subject of their latest movie or television show. They observe elected officials clamoring for the spotlight to jump on board a national bully campaign against anyone that is not of their same party. They observe media placing adults on air that verbally bully those in authority for a perceived wrong. They observe the media lambaste someone who has spoken up for morality, demeaning them to the point of the person receiving threats on their life and in some cases lose their job. They observe those in the public eye demean anyone who has virtue and integrity, insisting that there must be something in their past that they did wrong. In extreme cases, even seeking out someone who might have a vague situation that can be blown out of proportion and destroy the person's character at any cost. Adult bullying is the problem, not childhood bullying. The children are going to learn from actions, not words. If they are taught one thing, and see another...they will act on what they see most of the time. I am sure that someone somewhere thought we can end bullying if we teach the children, then the next generation will not bully. However, they neglected to realize example is the best teacher. We will not rid ourselves of bullying until all heed the words of our Heavenly Father, "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour". False witness, what is false witness? It encompasses lying, character assassination, demeaning a person for their beliefs or thoughts, making fun of someone, knowingly telling part of the truth to mislead, and many more examples that are so prevalent today. I feel it can even encompass knowingly trying someone in the court of public opinion in the days of 24 hour news and social media. The goal to set...do not forward or be the person that starts any type of bullying. Even if it is something that you are passionate about. We cannot try people in the court of public opinion. We have to adhere by justice, and no matter which political side or faith side you are; step back from emotion and stand for justice in a courtroom, not on social media, mainstream media, or in casual conversation. It takes courage to stand for someone's right to free speech when they are speaking against what you believe, but if you don't stand up for their right; your right will be gone tomorrow. Bullying needs to go away, and it needs to start with the adults.
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Carolyn Bendall"After years of teaching people how to develop their 'outside' image; we realized the 'inner image' need just as much work. Let's take this journey together!" Archives
August 2022
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