Bruises Heal

Bullying has been a problem in high schools for countless years. There is absolutely no question about that. Today's technology just makes bullying easier than ever. Devastation, tears, and years of therapy now just one click away! Bullies can hide behind a fake username to deliver their torments anonymously. This is dangerous for several reasons. The victim does not know their attacker and it makes it much more difficult to locate and stop a bully. 

That is just what happened in the Traverse City Area Public Schools. Two Twitter feeds were created and began attacking local students by name on Twitter. When a girl that was targeted by the bullies tried to report them she was told "kids had a choice whether or not to look at [the posts], so there was nothing they could do about it." Cyber bullying is out of the control of the school in most cases and in order to figure out who is behind anonymous postings a court order is required. Social worker Diane Burden added "it may not be something physical, like punches thrown in the hallway, but students can annihilate someone's reputation in a matter of seconds." There are several restrictions on laptop use in schools and anyone who violates them is subject to punishment even involving the law if the situation calls for it. One of the schools in the area has set up a hotline where students can report incidents anonymously. It has helped deal with several cases since its inception. 

Some high schools are working to prevent bullying in other ways. Students at Stephen Decatur High School formed the Acts of Kindness Group. It is a student organization that works in the school to prevent bullying. "Kids listen to kids better than anybody else" said the principal of the school. They provide a place where kids can talk to other kids and do things to cheer up those who seem to need it. Their leader, Calvin Garrison, works tirelessly for the group coordinating and organizing events. Some of the group's work is on a small scale but they also hold much larger events as well. Having students be the ones to help with the bullying problem that affects so many people is a new idea that should catch on. Students are much more inclined to really listen to their peers.

A major problem that comes with the territory of this new type of bullying is the sustained image of bullying as just a physical problem. A study done by the University of Michigan about Children's Health says that only 56% adults think that "isolating a student socially should prompt school intervention" and only 48 percent said that it should be considered bullying.  There are new ways of bullying and new consequences. Even though that is true, the data shows that not all people believe all types of bullying are equal even though any type of bullying can have harmful and sometimes lasting effects.



Jamey Rodemeyer was a 14-year-old boy from the Buffalo area. He was bullied because of his sexuality through middle school and had just started high school when he committed suicide. There is documented proof that he was cyber bullied through anonymous posts that said some truly heinous things. Jamey had encouraged others like him online through the It Gets Better Project. Jamey's case calls attention to the double-edged sword that is social media. It provides a place where LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) teens or any teens with problems can talk to peers and seek help and support if they are struggling. The other edge of that sword is that it also provides a forum for them to be bullied. Jamey's idol was Lady Gaga, the singer. After his death she tweeted her support and said "Bullying must become illegal. It is a hate crime." Jamey's story is tragic. Does it have to go this far before something is done about bullying?


The Kearney policy on bullying reads as follows, "Bullying, intimidating, harassing, hazing, name calling, verbal and/or physical confrontations will receive disciplinary consequences including but not limited to suspension or dismissal, depending on the severity of the incident." It states that things that happens outside the regular school day is out of their control and requires actions of the parents of those involved. This is controversial because many feel that even if cyber bullying occurs outside of school, certain incidents may still require school action. "Bullying is never cool" says Mike C. Nick H. adds "Bullying is never cool." The school and the majority of its students feel that bullying is never acceptable and should be dealt with. Frank B. says "Bullying is lame." The brevity of such statements show that no matter what kind of bullying, it is not okay and should not be tolerated. 

Bruises heal. Bullying has changed but in many minds its definition has not. Some feel that bullying is only serious when someone bleeds. That isn't the case. Emotional scars don't always heal. Some students have been pushed over the edge by cyber bullying and social isolation. It is too late to help them but it shouldn't be too late to help others. The battle starts when it is understood that all kinds of bullying can be severe and help should be provided to its victims. Bullies feel important and powerful by making others feel small and weak. In the words of the late, great Jimi Hendrix "When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace."