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| Image from The Karate Kid (1984), owned by Columbia Pictures |
bully: (verb) to act the bully toward; intimidate; domineer. -(dictionary.com)
The idea of bullying is being denounced by the majority of
all American groups these days. Calls to end bullying and to teach the hows and
whys of not bullying can be found anywhere, within any group, all across these
beautiful American states.
So why are some people in these same groups using bullying
as a process for getting their point across?
·
Feminists (oral/ print): Feminists have,
over the course of time, changed the language in America to make it less
oppressive to the female gender. Which is fine, great in fact, until you realize
that some feminists use
language to hold men in a word-prison. A man who disagrees on any point with a
feminist can expect to reprimanded, if not outright attacked, in a flurry of
insults and, if we’re honest, brutal disrespect.
·
African-Americans (oral/ print, violence):
Some have been making videos calling for the
stalking, hunting, and/ or murder of white people and police officers.
·
White People (any): White people still have to own up to having too many
racists, misogynists, and republican extremists in their midst. –disclaimer: I’m white
·
LGBTQ (oral/ print, violence): Hell could
not be more scary than saying something (many times accidentally) offensive to
the transgender community. What is the typical reaction? Immediate berating, insults,
and demands from the offended person’s community. Many times, the gay and
lesbian communities react the same way.
·
The Seculars (oral/ print): The secular
communities in America don’t tend to get physical, but the hell if they’ll let
you forget what an ignorant ass you are if you believe in the “invisible man in
the sky.” If you don’t adhere to strict, hard science, you’re going to hear/
read their feelings about you…over and over and over and over and over and over…
Now, keep in
mind we’re talking about the bullies
in these groups. Not one single group listed holds a 100% bully membership.
However, 100% of the bullies in each group are more than willing to force you
to hear them, adhere to their rules, and intimidate you into silence if you
disagree with their views.
Why is
everybody calling for an end to bullying, yet using bully tactics when faced
with something they disagree with? Do you remember when you were being bullied?
How did you feel?
Why do you expect the person you’ve started
bullying to react any differently than you?
According to
the litany of literature I’ve read (online) about bullying, you’re being a
bully anytime you make fun of somebody else’s beliefs, grief them for their
ideals, or intimidate those of a different discourse than your own.
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| Image from The Simpsons, owned by Fox Broadcasting |
Every time you
insult somebody, you’re a bully. Each blanket statement about a particular
group is not only bullying, but also wrong. When you post something on social
media about another groups failings, you’re not helping, you’re being a bully.
Even as you wail
about how the bullies should leave you alone.
Think about
that.
Every coin has
two sides, but the bullying coin has no winners, regardless of whether heads or
tails lands face up.
Thanks for
reading, and take care of each other.
James
Neal writes fantasy, both novel-length (Of Blood and Blade) and shorter stories (Paints the Invisible Eye).
He’s
also on social media, just like cats, but we digress. Click to join him on:
