Comments on: Stick and Stones http://www.republicoft.com/2008/09/02/stick-and-stones/ Black. Gay. Father. Vegetarian. Buddhist. Liberal. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:47:01 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Wildflower » Cut Off From Your Tribe http://www.republicoft.com/2008/09/02/stick-and-stones/comment-page-1/#comment-187071 Wildflower » Cut Off From Your Tribe Tue, 16 Dec 2008 23:58:00 +0000 http://www.republicoft.com/?p=2397#comment-187071 [...] was violent physical retaliation. After I discovered that, the kids gave me a lot more space. Check this piece from The Republic of T (“Sticks and Stones”) for a wider range of advice, but for what was [...] [...] was violent physical retaliation. After I discovered that, the kids gave me a lot more space. Check this piece from The Republic of T (“Sticks and Stones”) for a wider range of advice, but for what was [...]

]]> By: Katie http://www.republicoft.com/2008/09/02/stick-and-stones/comment-page-1/#comment-184943 Katie Mon, 20 Oct 2008 01:43:33 +0000 http://www.republicoft.com/?p=2397#comment-184943 <b>* Show respect for those in authority, including teachers and police officers. </b> I don't buy this part. Often people in authority bully us, <i>especially</i> police officers. Showing respect or deference for people in authority makes sense only if they do not abuse their power towards you, or if your personal safety will be compromised by not doing so (very possible, in the case of police officers). If they do - and they often do - I think your strategy should change depending on the circumstance. Regardless, advising respect for all authority figures is silly. * Show respect for those in authority, including teachers and police officers.

I don’t buy this part. Often people in authority bully us, especially police officers. Showing respect or deference for people in authority makes sense only if they do not abuse their power towards you, or if your personal safety will be compromised by not doing so (very possible, in the case of police officers). If they do – and they often do – I think your strategy should change depending on the circumstance.

Regardless, advising respect for all authority figures is silly.

]]> By: Politicalguineapig http://www.republicoft.com/2008/09/02/stick-and-stones/comment-page-1/#comment-184938 Politicalguineapig Sun, 19 Oct 2008 17:27:31 +0000 http://www.republicoft.com/?p=2397#comment-184938 I was bullied as a kid at school, transferred and was never bullied again. If we want to really make a dent, here's what we do: make classes smaller, make sure teachers are on the ball, and get the students to monitor behavior. Also, I kind of disagree with you, T.- I think bullying is normal. I was bullied as a kid at school, transferred and was never bullied again. If we want to really make a dent, here’s what we do: make classes smaller, make sure teachers are on the ball, and get the students to monitor behavior. Also, I kind of disagree with you, T.- I think bullying is normal.

]]> By: emjaybee http://www.republicoft.com/2008/09/02/stick-and-stones/comment-page-1/#comment-184934 emjaybee Sun, 19 Oct 2008 04:26:31 +0000 http://www.republicoft.com/?p=2397#comment-184934 Amen. What I have said to people who shrug off this kind of thing is that, what if when you went to work, it was acceptable for "more popular" coworkers to harass you, threaten you, or steal your belongings? It isn't because that's against the law and against any sensible workplace's policies. And if adults, who are so much better equipped to defend themselves, have this right...why don't kids? My son isn't in school yet, and I don't know what kind of situations he'll face, but we'll talk a lot with him about this. I absolutely will not tolerate any school personnel or parents who won't take it seriously if my son is bullied, or witnesses bullying. And if he bullies others, he's in for some serious consequences from us. Amen. What I have said to people who shrug off this kind of thing is that, what if when you went to work, it was acceptable for “more popular” coworkers to harass you, threaten you, or steal your belongings? It isn’t because that’s against the law and against any sensible workplace’s policies. And if adults, who are so much better equipped to defend themselves, have this right…why don’t kids?

My son isn’t in school yet, and I don’t know what kind of situations he’ll face, but we’ll talk a lot with him about this. I absolutely will not tolerate any school personnel or parents who won’t take it seriously if my son is bullied, or witnesses bullying. And if he bullies others, he’s in for some serious consequences from us.

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