The Bullies in Our Mists

You're forever that forth grader again, every time you see another child being bullied you revert back to the days when you were bullied too.  What do you do? Thoughts rush through your mind, should you step-in and confront the bullier, or do you wait, wait for the bullied to make a move.  Bullying takes many forms, whether it be name calling, road rage, laughing or putting down others because of their shortcomings such as; the way they dress, wear their hair, talk, or behave.  For whatever reason you, the bullied just don't fit in, and you've become a target. Unfortunately, young bullies turn into adult bullies, often due to their own insecurities. Maybe the adult was bullied as a child too, this much is certain, the adult bully is afraid to be at the receiving end of the bullying. Who knows why people behave in this manner, clearly bullying is harassment, mental cruelty, and it's humiliating. It's also gut wrenching for the person who has to put up with this immature nonsense, as well as equally heart stopping for an outsider to witness another person being bullied.

But, let's get back to the question of what should you do when you see another person bullied? As I ponder those god awful days I think about how I acted when I was bullied, to be honest I usually did nothing to defend myself, I just let them have their fun, even though it was painful for me emotionally.  However, my emotional pain could've been lessened, if during all those years of bullying an adult or one of my peers stepped up to my defense. This complete lack of concern for another human being has had the most profound affect on me to this day. For this reason, I feel it necessary, if only out of common sense, and of concern for another persons well being, both physically and mentally to do something, even if it's just a stern stare.  Nowadays I prefer to cast at least an evil eye on the bullier, I find this to be extremely effective, especially with younger children, thankfully I rarely see much bullying coming from younger children. Ironically, most of the time I see the bullying that occurs coming by way of those of my own age, twenty year old's or even the older adults in my mists.  The older person, who should know better, how do you deal with that bully? Do you walk away and not get involved, because it's just easier and safer, besides no one wants to get into a fist fight. Maybe you join in, go with the flow-what are a few harmless insults, harmless insults that may escalate over time, or would you speak up and say something to the bullier? You decide, what's your move?  As you ponder your move here are several youtube clips to help you decide. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pS8B9e2LJyc&NR=1, and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVWVTc6dGaw&feature=related