In the last week, there have been several interesting discussions around me and involving me. Or at least, interesting to me, and have made me want to write. They are...
1. Bullying
There have been lots of stories/reports/articles about bullying of late. When I got home one evening, I walked into
this story. The video is compelling and worth a look if you have a chance. It's a Ft Worth City Councilmember speaking directly to kids who have been bullied. He lets them know that it gets better and his message should be heard.
My only hesitation with this is why they feel the need to focus solely on bullying as it relates to sexual orientation. I'm afraid by doing so they likely turn off some potential supporters who shut down over anything dealing with homosexuality. Additionally, I believe it ignores the "whole" of the issue. How about instead of focusing on one sector to stop being harrassed, we promote not harrassing people at all? Why is it worse to victimize someone for their sexual preferences than say someone who is overweight? Underweight? Freckled? Poor? Different race/religion/national origin/etc.
Secondly, the campaign needs to focus not only on bullying in schools and on the web as it relates to teens and kids, but also as it relates to adults. I've seen adults pick on other adults and in my opinion, that's worse because they really should know how to act better. I've been picked on several times in my life - for a variety of reasons - and have admittedly done some picking. There was a time (most of middle school) where it felt like it was survival of the fittest. And the only way to feel better about being the fat-four-eyed kid with few friends was to find someone else to make feel worse. I'm certainly not proud of it and would take it back if I could. Even as an adult, we've made jokes at another's expense. How is that better?
If we want to change how kids interact, we have to change how we interact as well.
2. Our local news station does a controversial question of the day. Last week's question was "should a gay man be allowed to lead a boy scout troup?"
When asked, my response was, if they can abide by the rules and lead well, then what business is it of mine who they go home to. Now, I don't have kids and maybe that would change my feelings. Though, I don't think they would. I'm not going to be the next advocate for gay rights and I believe their actions are wrong, but it doesn't make them worse than any of the rest of us sinners (and we're all sinners). Are they going to deny a man to be a leader who cheated on his wife? The sin is the same. Just because a man is gay does not make him a pedophile. And not every pedophile is gay.
I think there are lots of men (and women) who can teach the character building skills Boy Scouts instills in it's members who may not have home situations we'd want modeled. How often does one really know what goes on there anyway?
I'm not trying to stir up any sort of controversy - just lay out some thoughts. I look forward to any feedback - whether agreeing or disagreeing. I think there are lots of life experiences to consider and it will be interesting to see what anyone else thinks.
