The Right Thing
Last night the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system did the right thing. It approved a "no-bullying" policy that prohibits bullying based on gender, race, and sexual orientation. For the first time, teachers are held responsible for enforcing the policy and due process is put in place for dealing with those whose violate the policy.
I attended the board meeting as an observer--Reilly and I accompanied Mary to her meeting for "Kids Vote," which happened to be taking place in the same building.
You would have thought that something as positive as the anti-bullying policy would have passed easily. Instead, it met with stiff resistance from local right-wing Christians who contended that the policy was really a way for gays, lesbians, and the transgendered community to promote their evil agenda. While waiting in the lobby, Reilly and I listened to the arguments advanced by those on both sides of the issue.
What was most revealing was that those who argued in favor of the policy were mostly teens and adults who had been victims of bullying. Overwhelmingly, their message was one of acceptance, love, and fairness. They spoke with open hearts and tolerance. Their voices were soft, their posturing humble, and more often than not their eyes overflowed with emotion.
By contrast, those who argued against the policy started by citing their "personal relationship" with Christ. Overwhelmingly, their message was one of fear, hatred, and anger. They spoke in strident voices with hands clinched at their sides. They glared at the students and teachers who wore yellow t-shirts in support of the policy. They whispered harshly among themselves in lobby and even made lame efforts to convert and proselytize the non-believers.
It's been a while since I've seen the face of fear and hatred up close and personal.
And it caused me to realize that the vote last night wasn't about bullying, it was really about whether the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools system was going to remain rooted in its tainted past, or whether it was going to finally take a step forward.
Last night, the good guys won 6-3.
Gary
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Reader Comments (4)
One again, you have written a piece that provokes enough thoughts and questions to consume several evenings and and many bottles of wine. (maybe we should start rating discussion topics with wine bottle icons. ie: Bullying-3 1/2 bottles, The Religious Right - 1 case, etc)
I won't even attempt to comment on the hatred and hypocrisy of the Religious Right, or the problems/benefits inherent in teachers enforcing societies rules. Different discussions, different days.
This was about Bullying and I agree that the school system did the right thing in this case. My questions arise from the larger questions such as: Is it okay to bully someone because you are bigger, faster, smarter, tougher etc, but not if includes race, gender or sexual orientation? If not then what are the parameters? If we outlaw bullying entirely, then does a "hard" tackle or foul on the playground become an offense? (this is certainly a form of intimidation among boys) And then is it a short leap from there to the type of over protection that we discussed in your Fathers and Sons article, and both disagreed with?
As everyone knows, it is a complex issue and one that requires a great deal of reasonableness to be factored into enforcement. Unfortunately, as you saw in the meeting, that is not always in abundant supply.
Obviously we have a lot to discuss, and unfortunately it doesn't look as if a trip to NC is in the immediate future, although it is definitely on the 'radar'. Lets try to keep our thoughts fresh in the meantime.
PS - when the trip does happen, I will volunteer the wine!
I suspect we'll have a few other issues crop up through this election season. (A long season!) We'll keep the dialog fresh somehow.
The Christians, on the one hand, whose postures, words, and facial characteristics communicated hatred and anger. The activists, on the other hand, whos postures, words, and faces communicated acceptance and love. The contrasts were incredible remarkable.
Second, the amount of racial, gender, and sexual orientation-based bullying that is taking place in the schools. Much more than I was aware of. Story after horrific story.
Jeff, I agree, policies like this create issues--most of which will have to be dealt with as they arise on a case by case basis. But here at CMS we needed a policy against bullying to stem a rising and troubling tide.
As for the wine--bring it on.
As far as the contrast in the behaviors at the meeting, I can only imagine. Without going into a tirade about the Religious Right, (I have to be careful, my sister is a minister) I always find it ironic that those who seemingly spend the most time preaching, studying and learning about things like love, tolerance, peace and forgiveness, have the most difficult time practicing them. I could say something like: maybe that's why they need to go to church so much, but if Jill found out it would make her mad, so I won't.