The following is an editorial blog by Managing Editor Travis Ruiz
If you think bullying is nonexistent, you need to wake up.
Kids are bullied every single day and it's a shame. Just because someone is different is absolutely no excuse for them to be bullied.
Why are our kids bullied? My opinion-- They aren't being taught any different.
We live in a world where it's become almost acceptable to make fun of people. Little do we know, it hurts a person's self esteem. It rips at them until they explode. And we all know how that can end.
Are we teaching our children that it's OK to make fun of someone? Are we teaching them it's not OK to be different?
Take a look at the video below, but I warn you, it contains graphic content and language so please take caution in viewing it.
In this video, a 17-year-old high school senior was beaten. And what's worse, the video was posted on YouTube!
The boy was pulled down to the ground in an alley while he pleaded for the boys to stop. The assault lasted several minutes as the other guys push him, kick him and punch him.
In addition to the beating, the boy's shoes and wallet were also stolen. While this may not be bullying, it is youth violence. Youth violence is something we cannot stand for either.
This video breaks my heart. I cannot believe that seven teenagers think it's OK to beat a peer. This is just one example of teen violence but I can only imagine how many other cases there are that weren't recorded for YouTube.
What can we do to help end bullying and youth violence? What can we do to teach our children better? What can we do to help the victims of bullying and youth violence??
