Think Before You Act!

I watched a story this morning on television about a young man who was beaten and then hung on a fence by seven older boys.  There seems to be no good reason for this behavior other than the fact that the young man’s mom was from Africa.  I guess that having an accent and being a bit darker in color is reason enough to beat down someone…and in this particular case it was seven to one odds.  It seems like this type of behavior is reasonably common, yet parents, schools, and those who bully are seldom willing to do something positive to relieve the world of this calamity.  

Bullying has been going on for as long as I can remember.  I think that I have participated in this kind of treatment of others only occasionally.  It is possible that each and every one of us, at one time or another, have done something to another that would qualify as bullying.  This is not an excuse.  It is a statement of fact.  To any person I have even bullied in any way I apologize.  It is wrong and you can be sure that I will not bully another human being.

I have to wonder why people feel the need to hurt others physically, emotionally or both.  The answer to this question has yet to be resolved and may be one of the most difficult question that psychiatrist and psychologists have yet to answer.  The answer may be genetic, hormonal, environmental, educational, or maybe even cultural.  The combination of all these factors would serve to complicate the solution even more so.  

The solution may be something a lot more simple. 

It may be as simple as people need to think before they act.  I have done something that was not so nice, reflected on the results or consequences, and realized that the bad could have been prevented by just putting myself in someone else’s shoes BEFORE I said or did something to that person.  This is not rocket science for sure, but it does take a lot of self-reflection and a willingness to take responsibility for one’s actions.  Prevention is as simple as people recognizing that what they say or do to others does have an impact.

We seem intent on teaching our young people math and science skills so that we can keep up with other nations who have inched ahead of us.  I stink at math and science so there is no chance that better teaching would help me to be able to compete with those people who invent new and better technology, or determine how we can make the world a safer place for all.  But…….

With a little encouragement, a bit more empathy in my daily life, and a commitment to stand up in the face of bullying of any kind CAN and WILL make a difference!  I also think that if you make an effort to pass these values on to each person you come in contact with each day that even more people can be part of the campaign to place greater value on the lives and life experience of others.  Sometimes life skills are even more important than math and science skills and understanding.

Treating others with respect is a campaign worthy of our participation.  You can make a difference!  Let’s do our part!