July 6, 2011

Wikipedia defines bullying as "abusive treatment, the use of force or coercion to affect others, particularly when habitual and involving an imbalance of power. It may involve verbal harassment, physical assault or coercion and may be directed persistently towards particular victims, perhaps on grounds of race, religion, sex or ability. The "imbalance of power" may be social power and/or physical power. The victim of bullying is sometimes referred to as a "target." Bullying consists of three basic types of abuse – emotional, verbal and physical. It typically involves subtle methods of coercion such as intimidation. Bullying ranges from simple one-on-one bullying to more complex bullying in which the bully may have one or more 'lieutenants' who may seem to be willing to assist the primary bully in his bullying activities. Bullying in school and the workplace is also referred to as peer abuse. Robert W. Fuller has analyzed bullying in the context of rankism. Bullying can occur in any context in which human beings interact with each other. This includes school, church, family, the workplace, home and neighborhoods. It is even a common push factor in migration. Bullying can exist between social groups, social classes and even between countries".

Most of us have probably experienced dealing with people who feel superior than us and would not only stop in acting superior but would even do things such as bullying to show their perceived strength and authority over us. Thus, it becomes disrespectful. Bullying as what was mentioned in the previous paragraph can happen anywhere, at any time and to anyone. Bullying can result to one being afraid, paranoid, intimidated, controlled, abused, exploited, disrespected and put down. Apparently, bullying is an act of exerting power over someone.

I feel for the student being tripped on, the so called "misfits", the unique and different people, the small people, the underprivileged, the faceless, the voiceless, the less influential people who are going through or have gone through bullying and all those who allow themselves to be bullied. The fear in their eyes every time they see the bully and the paranoia they experience after getting bullied are things that we get to notice from them. Some cry, some shiver, some relocate, some change careers, some decide to just stay home, some become distant and some become afraid for the rest of their lives.

Bullying will only happen and will continue to do so if one allows it to. From the onset, we should not allow anyone to be disrespectful and to show force, use threat or intimidation to get their way especially if it is irrational and senseless. If we allow it once, it will just mean that we are giving them the go signal for it to be done to us. Thus, it becomes a habit and a norm for that person to do such an unacceptable act to us. Let us not tolerate it. We should know and learn when and how to stand up for ourselves.

Bullying does not have any place and space in this world, in our country, in our city and in our communities. If one wants to get his or her way, it should not be through bullying but rather through diplomacy and persuasion instead. Let us work well with other people and let us treat each other with respect regardless of age, social status, position, level of influence and power and the like.

I would like to end with my usual spiel, ini liwat ang inyo amigo, abyan, primo kag sulugu-on sa Syudad sang Iloilo, Iloilo City Councilor LEX Tupas, gasiling para sa padayun nga kauswagan kag pagsulong sang Syudad sang Iloilo, Ugyon Iloilo. Ilonggos are worth working and fighting for. LEX Talk again next time.