Say No to Bullying

Illtreatment in high school is rampant and dramtically destructive to the person on the receiving end. Kids are REALLY awful to each other both verbally and now electronically, but bullying is not limited to youngsters. Many teachers are two-faced and speak ill of students and colleagues behind their backs, and parents and even administrators often treat teachers with disdain and disrespect.

The AAUW (American Association University Women) addresses this important topic in the article below.

"Bullying and sexual harassment have, unfortunately, made big headlines in recent months. After several tragic suicides, new initiatives aimed at preventing bullying and harassment, and AAUW's ground-breaking report on sexual harassment in school, the public and the media are finally paying attention to the critical issue of bullying. Now is the time to pass strong, meaningful anti-bullying and harassment legislation.

Take action: Ask your senators to cosponsor the Student Non-Discrimination Act (S. 555)!

All students deserve a safe and nurturing environment in which to pursue their educational goals. Yet currently, there is no federal law that explicitly protects students on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA) would do just that. SNDA, which is modeled after other civil rights laws such as Title IX, would protect students from various forms of bullying and harassment, such as sex stereotyping and bullying based on their actual or perceived gender identity, and would give students the ability to enforce protection from discrimination and harassment. AAUW believes it is past time for such a law."

One eighth grader just recently shot and killed another eighth grader because he was thought to be gay. At what part of this scenario should we be most appalled? That 13 year olds are this violent; that 13 year olds are so ugly to each other at such a young age; that 13 year olds are sexually active; that 13 year olds are so removed from the innocence of youth.

The problem is insidious and pervasive. Parents, you are producing mean-spirited, caddy children who are hard, insulting and disrespectful, and the schools are at a loss as to what to do. The schools can't change character and they can't instill values. That's your job, but until parents take back the mantle of raising well their children, the legislature must pass laws that can at least insure some protection. PLEASE contact your representative about this critical legislation.