Sorry, but being part of a school system, you are dead wrong. That is a very common response by most bullies: "I didn't see it as bullying, just a rib" and then the kid who is the target of bullies, finally has enough and plans revenge.
Enough with the lame excuses. Admit it, take steps to understand what statements like yours mean to a kid who is the target of bullying - don't do it.
Granted, you can claim all you want that this is probably an adult forum, but kids who watch your statements on here see that you think it's ok, because: "I didn't see it as bullying, just a rib" and so they continue.
I don't mean to continue or keep on dwelling on this, but it is attitudes like yours that hurt what administrations face every day in trying to quell and teach student bodies, that this is a bully tactic and it is not acceptable.
If your school district has an Interventionist, go have a visit with that person about your claim that it was seen as a rib (or just good ole boy fun). That's only the view by most bullies. What I think you're failing to recognize is - the view from those "little" students, the kids who are the targets of bullies.
I'm not at all saying you don't know anything. I am saying that your statement is unfortunately the typical comment by so many for far too long - it very well may be seen by you as ribbing, but ask your school Interventionist how the "little students" who get bullied, ask how they see it. It's unfortunate that still, far too many bullied kids/students, don't open up or go to get help from bullies at their Interventionist. Those are the kids who "might" make a list and "might" seek revenge. It's time to stop that. We cannot, as a society, keep coming to the plate with the attitude, that it's ok (in our minds) because we saw it as ribbing or as a joke (for our ammusement? - certainly not for the bullied kid) and we didn't see it as bullying.
STOP the BULLYING - One of the Governor's goals this year.
This post was edited on 1/29 7:55 AM by LincolntwspFarmer
