Bullying

The recent suicide related deaths of five teens in the US supposedly related to homophobic schoolyard bullying has wiped up a bit of a storm. In no way does this commentary seek to minimalize the human tragedy of suicide and especially that involving children for their family and the community. Rather on these occasions a gaggle of media personalities rush out to tell their story ably aided by mainstream media. Being a cynical old bastard, I tend to take these biographies with a shovel of salt with most of these people having not seen a schoolyard for quite a while. Homophobic bullying affects all children it controls their behaviour to ensure compliance with a limited view of gender identity that needs challenging. Especially, when homophobic bullying does not end at the schoolyard gate, as it is both codified and institutionalised

Do I give a damn YES I DO!

In my three years of secondary schooling, bullies targeted me every day of the week and staff offered no comfort let alone protection.  On some occasions, staff even blamed me for causing the abuse, which still confuses me to this day. I still experience anxiety issues, which often limit my social participation because I do not really trust people. I often hide behind roles, which provides structures that limit the nature of my interactions with others

Does it get better, yes as an adult I discovered my voice, realised,  I have choices and the views of others do not count as much as when I went to school.

Entertaining dangerous ideas

qanda at The Festival of Dangerous Ideas

How often do you engage with an idea, which has an element of controversy about it, which inevitably challenges your worldview? Sadly, I tend to do this on a regular basis to question what is or the status quo and ask why not.

topics covered

Institutional abuse – prosecution of The Pope for crimes against humanity  – the Vatican’s response or lack thereof to the abuse of children by priests

Euthanasia – whether or not to codify death

Same Sex marriage – privilege or right

US – world power or spent force

Terrorism – The politics of fear or justifiable threat

Parental Anxiety Disorder – protecting the kids or teaching the kids to be safe

Etc

While each of us has an opinion some informed by humanistic or religious philosophies the significance here is giving ourselves permission to question.  There is never an issue for taking a position other than that somewhere along the road somebody may ask you to qualify it. Then if you fall back to an unreasonable position for example because I have always believed so, your credibility maybe questioned.

I believe an open mind equates to a health balanced mind