We all watched Australian teenager Casey Heynes flatten a jumped up little midget the other day which made for some compelling footage. Since then we have watched the media around the world pick the story up after the "Youtube" clip went viral seen it painstakingly analysed by parents, psychologists and everyone else with an opinion and/or a troubled upbringing (See it discussed here on CBS: link).
We have heard how Casey has been bullied his whole life and why he snapped (link here), There have been interviews with the victim Ritchard Gales (also dubbed "Ritchard the Rat" on Facebook). Bloggers are "scared" for Casey (link here to "Stir-Cafe Mom" blog), supportive of Casey, against Casey. Casey has been called a hero, the aggressor, the one who started it, his future has been hailed both as great and as limited. It has served to highlight how many youth suicides are linked to bullying and it has again pulled the problem of school yard bullying into the spotlight.
Here is my take on it. Kids have been picking on other kids since the day we all lived in caves. Yes there are extreme cases and yes it can lead on to tragedy if not dealt with. Ritchard Gale is likely to be just a normal kid and I'm sure most of us would not write the little man off totally. He is after all only 12 years old and we all make mistakes. Likewise I'm sure Casey is not a complete angel nor totally in the right here. They are kids and this thing just happened.......it wasn't part of a master plan!
But sometimes a good punch in the gob when deserved goes along way towards bringing opposing forces back into equilibrium. My father always taught me to fight for what is right and he always backed me if I had done so. Sometimes a bully needs a bit of bullying to understand it is not OK or to realise that they are not as strong and tough as they think they are. Sometimes it is right to stand up for yourself and those you care for. It is OK to meet violence with a bit of the same. It is not the end of the world and whilst extremes need to be dealt with, 99% of these problems in the school yard are dealt with in the school yard.
Good on ya Casey and I'm picking that your days of being picked on are behind you! How about both of you learn a bloody big lesson here and keep your mits to yourself!
Another blog I have previously written of Bullies being bullied;
Delightful tales of those who badly need it being given the good news
We have heard how Casey has been bullied his whole life and why he snapped (link here), There have been interviews with the victim Ritchard Gales (also dubbed "Ritchard the Rat" on Facebook). Bloggers are "scared" for Casey (link here to "Stir-Cafe Mom" blog), supportive of Casey, against Casey. Casey has been called a hero, the aggressor, the one who started it, his future has been hailed both as great and as limited. It has served to highlight how many youth suicides are linked to bullying and it has again pulled the problem of school yard bullying into the spotlight.
Here is my take on it. Kids have been picking on other kids since the day we all lived in caves. Yes there are extreme cases and yes it can lead on to tragedy if not dealt with. Ritchard Gale is likely to be just a normal kid and I'm sure most of us would not write the little man off totally. He is after all only 12 years old and we all make mistakes. Likewise I'm sure Casey is not a complete angel nor totally in the right here. They are kids and this thing just happened.......it wasn't part of a master plan!
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| Willia Apiata & other soldiers specialise in sorting real bullies out! Photo: NZ Herald |
Good on ya Casey and I'm picking that your days of being picked on are behind you! How about both of you learn a bloody big lesson here and keep your mits to yourself!
Another blog I have previously written of Bullies being bullied;
Delightful tales of those who badly need it being given the good news
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