Lines That Divide Us – Bullying Video
ByA friend of mine, Michel Fortin, shared this video on his blog. It is very powerful, and has a significant implication for those with ADD or ADHD.
This video demonstrates the awful aspects of bullying, how many students it affects, and how difficult it can be emotionally.
The fascinating thing is that this video also shows a healing process which is going on for the students taking part in this exercise.
I encourage you to watch this video – and to share it with kids and teens who have experienced teasing and bullying. They will learn a lot.
Technorati Tags: ADHD, bullying, parenting, high school
Hmm. I liked parts of it. I think there are people who would not benefit from this and would be completely overwhelmed. It reminded me of some of the “awareness” exercises that were compulsory on my Catholic high school retreats. They produced the same kind of results–lots of crying, claims of having “seen the light” of the damaging effects of their own bullying behavior–and yet, it was the more heartbreaking on Monday morning, when everyone had forgotten and they were mostly behaving the same way again.
I think the adult moderators need to have more mastery over their own processes. Some would say that their expressions of emotion and vulnerability added to the program, but to me it was just too “primal scream.” Releasing, in a way, but not necessarily helpful, and to some, even damaging. I say this as an individual who was on the receiving end of bullying in high school, and continues to be sensitive.
Anne,
Thank you for sharing your comments. I think they are very accurate and insightful.
I believe that the ‘Monday morning effect’ could certainly happen as you describe it.
I think the part of the video that I like most relates to the fact that when they were asking people to ‘cross the line’, that it ended up being everyone who was affected.
Since many kids who are teased and bullied feel completely isolated, I think this is a powerful image/message.
Do you have any insights on what DOES work?
Dr. Kenny
What does work… authenticity in the moment, and daily. And especially no bullying within the adult part of the system. This is very important. If you consider Kiersey’s personality types, apparently about 75-80% of educators are SPs, and the remainder are NFs. Since the NFs are probably also “highly sensitive” per Elaine Aron’s criteria (www.hsperson.com), it is often the case that their opinions are the ones overridden, and even derided, in educational planning sessions (especially given the by definition ‘judgmental’ bent of SJs). Even without intent, this can be (and often is) a form of bullying. It doesn’t serve the institution, the individuals involved, or the children being served. And as in a family, in a school where adult bullying takes place (no matter how subtle), it will be tacitly approved among the students. And then to try to stop it–especially via highly emotive programs–gives the students mixed messages.
It’s the NPs/ HSPs, I think, that are best equipped to model and even teach authenticity. I have met quite a few SJs who say a lot about it, but don’t really understand it. Or think that it’s “honesty” but without regard for feelings. Again, can do more damage than good in most cases.
As to what I’m truly in favor of? cbe.org talks about introducing meditation in to the schools, and has successfully done so across the country. Bullying never even comes up after this has happened. In my opinion this is the most efficient way to address bullying (and many other problems as well), but I still don’t feel it’s the only way, just the most efficient.
I liked the video quite a lot.I have a younger cousine and i have definitely decided to forward this link to him.
school bullying these days goes beyond teasing someone because they are fat, or have braces, or dress differently. Schools act in loco parentis, or on place of parents, and its the schools responsibility to ensure that the kids who are getting PHYSICALLY harassed , threatened or assaulted get the therapy they need, and the children who are responsible for assaulting or physically threatening other kids are punished. do a google search for bully suicide – its quite common. kids spend most of thier day in school, and when its a dangerous place for them, they cannot learn.