Re: [Peckers_Pics] It gets better vs. make it better

Hi Gents,

 

I agree with every point you make Don. Though I generally like Dan Savage and I have enjoyed his column over the years,

Dan Savage is himself is a big bully! He has even attempted to bully Obama into doing things his way on his time line;

(case in point the dismantling of DADT). I seriously doubt that he is really capable of empathizing with the victims of bullying.

After all he called them "targets" didn't he? (instead of victims).

 

Henry.

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From: Don Gorton <dgorton@verizon.net>
To: jtima-organizers@googlegroups.com; markaroederfans@yahoogroups.com; Peckers_Pics@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, October 6, 2010 9:53:10 PM
Subject: [Peckers_Pics] It gets better vs. make it better

 

Hello:

 

                Although I applaud Dan Savage's vision of "it gets better," he gives very bad advice indeed when he says targets of bullying should "tough it out." Kids struggling with the depression associated with bullying despair of being told to "be strong." That's just setting one more social expectation they can feel they fall short of. And if they feel they can't "tough it out" then is suicide the fallback alternative? It's in the nature of toxic circumstances that, if uncorrected, they will lead to deaths. Bullying is the problem, and it can't be tolerated if we are to save vulnerable lives.

 

                Targets of bullying and their allies have the right to be safe and to expect effective adult intervention to interdict bullying. The key is empowering targets to believe that they can take action to get their civil rights and human dignity respected. I like the concept of "make it better," because it reinforces the idea that by insisting on their rights kids have the ability to bring about change. That's an invaluable lesson going forward in life, and is indeed the secret of the success of our movement.

 

                Check out this web site: http://makeitbetterproject.org/

 

Don

 

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