It's as Easy as A-B-C: Anti-Bullying Campaign

     Lately in the news, there have been several reports of homosexual teens and young adults who have committed suicide as a result of bullying and harassment. This is tragic, absolutely awful news. Bullying has been an epidemic for a long time, and has shown no signs of improvement. In fact, there has been an increase in bullying, especially cyber-bullying. It breaks my heart to see people ending their lives for any reason, but especially when people are ending their lives because of bullying.    
       So how do we go about fixing this terrible problem? Well, it won't be easy, but it can be done. Not to be harsh, but kids (and teens, young adults, etc.) can be extremely cruel and unaware of how their actions affect others. But I think the solution to bullying lies in how we educate our youth about it. First of all, we must begin from an early age. Kids must learn from the start that it is never okay to victimize someone else. Schools must have strict, clear policies outlining the consequences of bullying. These policies must be enforced. There must also be resources for the victim of bullying. It should be made clear that bullying must be reported to a teacher or guidance counselor immediately. Victims must know that they can seek help.
     Companies often have sensitivity training for employees. I believe students should have similar training each year that they attend school (in order to reinforce the concepts presented, and offer age-appropriate training). This sensitivity training should discuss differences in race, gender, physical and mental ability, and (if age appropriate), differences in sexuality should be discussed. I am not here to argue about the moral issues that some people have with homosexuality. That is another discussion for another day. I am simply here to say that is so wrong to bully and harass people based on anything, including sexuality. There is no excuse to hurt another person.
    I know how much bullying hurts. I was bullied for many years in grammar school and middle school, and it affected me deeply. I internalized much of what was said to me, believing for a good long time that I was ugly, fat (in reality, I'm not obese. I'm actually pretty healthy. And I believe I'm beautiful, even though the bullies tried their hardest to convince me otherwise) and stupid (in reality, I am an honors/AP student, 8th in my class, and have a 4.2 GPA). I also used to wonder if it was true that people would be happier if I was dead (Yep. a bully actually had the nerve to imply that people would throw a party if I died.) I wound up quite depressed. I am not ashamed to admit it. I sought help, and have improved greatly! It was through hard work to gain back my self-esteem that I became okay again. I forgave the bullies, and in fact, I am friends with a handful of the ones who showed remorse. It was a tough battle to fight, but I managed to win. Some people are not so lucky. Some people never recover from being bullied, and in the most tragic cases, take their own lives before they have a chance to try to recover.
       Readers, I challenge you to think before you speak. Try to imagine how your words and actions could affect the other person . If you are a bully, I challenge you to get help and try to behave better. If you are a victim of bullying, speak up NOW before the bullying goes any further. Teachers and parents, be on the lookout for bullies and anyone who seems to be depressed or have low self-esteem. You could save a life.

All Things in Moderation

    In Civics class, we recently learned about Pastor Terry Jones and his threat to burn Qu'rans, the Muslim holy book. He threatened to burn Qu'rans in response to a Muslim New Yorker's plan to build a Muslim Community Center near Ground Zero. The media hype that surrounded this issue made the plan seem much more shocking and problematic than it truly is. What was once a Muslim community center to be built a few blocks away from Ground Zero quickly became characterized as a "mega-mosque on Ground Zero."
     I can see why people would object to a Muslim community center built on Ground Zero, but I honestly don't see the harm in having a Muslim community center near Ground Zero. What difference does it make if the center is built two blocks away or twenty blocks away? I don't think it is disrespectful in any way. Yes, a tragedy occurred there. Yes, that tragedy was the fault of some radical (emphasis on RADICAL) Muslims. But, should good-hearted, mainstream Muslims who wish to have a community center (which my father aptly compared to "a YMCA with a chapel added to it") be prevented from practicing their faith and increasing understanding of their faith in the community? NO! It is absolutely inappropriate for people to be so up in arms about this plan.
      Terry Jones' reaction was particularly inappropriate. Burning the holy book of any faith is already wrong on so many levels. But in Jones' case, with the war in Afghanistan occurring right now, he could have endangered the lives of people all over the world! Besides the danger of his plan, it was also just plain cruel and un-Christian of him. Christians are called to love and respect all people, and burning the Quran is blatant disrespect for people of Muslim faith. As a Catholic Christian, it would insult and infuriate me to see someone burn a Bible, and I am sure Muslims would feel the same way if they saw Qu'rans being burned. Terry Jones' plan was absolutely reprehensible. Thank goodness he didn't go through with it!
    The problem with Terry Jones ( and frankly, with many,but certainly not all, Americans today) is that he holds an extremist view of the Muslim religion and of Muslim people. I firmly believe that there are many, many good Muslims, and to act as if all Muslims are terrorists or that they all support 9/11 is incomprehensible to me. Should all Catholics be held accountable for the crimes committed by pedophile priests? Should I, as a Catholic, be judged as a sinner and a criminal because of what some priests have done? If your answers to both questions are no, then consider this: Why, then, should all Muslims be treated with suspicion and even outright hostility because of the terrible crimes committed by radical Muslim terrorists? Not all Muslims are radicals. Thus, Muslims should not be treated like radical criminals. It is better to hold a more reasonable, moderate view; one that acknowledges the crimes of some Muslims, while remembering that most Muslims are perfectly good people.
       Readers, I challenge you to think before you pass judgements of Muslims or any other group of people. See if you are stereotyping a large group based on the actions of a few within the group. Try to advocate an attitude of respect, love, and moderate views instead of extremist views.