Wow. This is a disturbing video

[snowywolfowl]

 
Apparently the bully got 4 days suspension. His victim got 21.

Now I confess that while I have a certain habit of identifying with the victim I'm going to approach this as if I was the principal here. I also don't know what the back story is so I can't comment on that.  With that in mind I'm not recommending home visits, prison invention visits a la "Scared Straight" or anger management counseling. I'm not saying there isn't a potential use for them here but I just don't know the back story enough.

So, first off I don't have a problem with suspending a kid for 21 days for that type of action. Is it harsh? Yeah but the fact remains he could very easily have killed or crippled that kid. Regardless of whether or not you feel the bully deserved it that type of response is not something you can give tacit approval of. Even though he is the victim of the initial attack he gets the full suspension and a thorough reading of the riot act. Like it or not he needs to learn that this type of action can lead to prison time as an adult. 

As for the bully who started the fight I'd make him watch this video, backwards, forwards, and in slow motion. And while doing this I'd be providing a full play by play commentary that would put Foster Hewitt, John Madden and the Monday Night Football crew to shame.  It would go something like this:

"Ok, So you start off well. You've got a good grip on the shirt. You're nice and threatening, and here's your right fist slamming into his head. That's a good shot! Nice!"

"Now, you're a bit predictable going for the face again. Nice footwork, you're moving well. Oh wait, he's grabbing...and you're up...and now you're down. Let's rewind. Yep, up...and down....and up...and down."

Ok, so you're next cool fighting move is...to collapse in a heap while your friend keeps you from getting killed. Hey, whatever works for you. And oh, what's this?"

*Freeze shot of the kids face looking into the camera before he collapses*

"That's you! The toughest kid in the school! Not because you're the next Mohammad Ali though, but because you have a head full of rocks."


I realize that shaming children is a very risky and often counterproductive technique but the kid that started this fight needs to learn something here. What he needs to learn is that no matter how tough and nasty you think you are there is always somebody out there who is meaner and nastier than you. Willingly courting that is stupid. I'd then give them 14 days. Four for being a bully, and 10 more for interfering with another students education. Hey, punching people in the face is assault and can be punished by prison. Just because he got hurt doesn't give him a free pass. A judge won't.

As for the others, I'd give them a citation in their permanent record to impress upon them that standing around while something is happening that could get someone killed is not acceptable....especially with a camera phone.

Anyone in education (or not) want to take a stab at this, even if its to say I'm nuts?

Comments

[fen-wolfchile.livejournal.com]

Now there is a simple lesson in why not to pick on the person twice your size.

On the Punishment side, the big kids reaction was deserving full 21 days. When you have such a massive strength advantage you should be able to physically contain some one without slamming them into the ground, hell I can do it to some my strength... as long as they don't know what I know.
The instigator should have received more mind... that said I suspect he was egged on by his mates.
The big chap needs to learn to be more pro active. If you just wait till the red mist comes down you're going to be in trouble.

[snowywolfowl.livejournal.com]

Yeah, when that red mist comes down and you've got your tormentor lined up bad shit can happen, even in what I suspect is a "good" school lacking in drugs and weapons.

I think the bully was definitely being encouraged. Hopefully a lesson was well learned though.

[bonnie-halfelvn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the brat should pick on someone his own size if he doesn't want to get hurt so bad.

I have mixed feelings about this. Probably the only reason I didn't get the crap beaten out of me is because I'm a girl. While I don't advocate violence, the part of me that was bullied gets some satisfaction out of seeing someone get what they asked for.

Everyone has their limits. That's the lesson to take from this. You never know what someone has dealt with before you encountered them.

[snowywolfowl.livejournal.com]

If anything good comes from this it would be the analysis of their body language. The bully's body language is dominating, yet playful. This is a game and he's operating under the assumption that he can end it whenever he wishes. And why not? He's got friends to help him in case he gets hit with a punch, which considering the victim's poor foot placement, slow reaction time, high centre of gravity and passive start (he lets the bully grab his shirt twice) is pretty unlikely.

Frankly given the amount of violence used I would not besurprised if the victim has been seriously and systematically attacked by this group. His movements when he did commit were not half way. He's not looking to drive his attacker off, he's looking to put him out of action permanently. Where the bully sees "play" the victim sees "war" and they proceed exactly as their interpretation of the events leads them.

Anyway, that's my take on it. Would be nice if this stuff didn't have to happen. I just hope the victim doesn't lose their academic year over this.

[bonnie-halfelvn.livejournal.com]

I saw an article on this, and the victim's parents say he'd never been violent before, as far as they knew. So, yeah, I'm guessing this had been building up and he decided he'd had enough.

They also said there is a lot of fighting at this school. So what are the adults doing about that?

[snowywolfowl.livejournal.com]

Oh neat! Where did you see the article? I'd like to read it.

As for what are the adults doing about it clearly not enough.

[kathyrene.livejournal.com]

They both should have received equal punishments, IMO. Two weeks suspension for each of them! I agree on your idea of giving the others citations.

I think the larger boy realizing that his attacker had back-up decided to give an all-out strong message why he reacted so violently. Had the bully been solely on his own (bullies rarely are though) he might have either just ignored him or been less violent in his retaliation. Wow that was pretty forceful!

Interfering with another student's education? Brilliant!

[snowywolfowl.livejournal.com]

While I like in theory the idea of equal suspensions I think it might be sending the wrong message that both offenses are equal. The fact is just because some one is being a little shit you can't try to kill or cripple them and with the amount of force the victim used its pretty cut and dried that he wanted to put his attacker out of commission long term.

Of course that can be spun by the principle for the bully's benefit as well. Something along the lines of "You got your four days because you're a nasty little punk. Your victim got 21 days because he beat the living &*^% out of you and nearly killed you, despite you having your friends to back you up. If you go after him again I'll have you transferred to a school for the brain damaged. Understand?"

Regarding the citation I think I'd give the older girl a break too. She may not have stepped in before the bodies hit the floor but she did after wards. Credit where credit is due.

[kathyrene.livejournal.com]

Things can easily escalate in school yards. Here you have young kids who have no skills at self modulation - either for violent behaviour or for being a provoking little schnoot! So maybe the larger kid should have received some anger management sessions but I'm still for equal suspensions.

When I was a kid at school it was like 'don't give it out if you can't take it'. I know it sounds harsh but good rules to live by.