I have never been a strong believer in the term “bullying.” Being removed from the school system with only small children, it just seemed that parents around the globe were overreacting to issues at school and they wanted to have an excuse outside of their own parenting skills as to why their child was depressed or not excited about school. Basically, I thought parents were yet again looking for someone or something to “blame” for their unhappy child.

And those so called “bullies,” well, they were just trying to intimidate others because they were not being given proper attention and bad behavior would ultimately result into the attention they were seeking. It can be rationalized at a young age that negative attention is far better than no attention.

It has been in the last 6 months that my mind has been changed drastically. My daughter has become a target for a particular child on the playground. And while I initially passed it off as a few outside games that had been taken too far, it is now obvious that one particular ring leader intentionally intimidates my child specifically. However, it is still not obvious as to why. My little lady pretty much keeps to herself, is interested in playing with anyone and everyone, but is also comfortable playing independently. So on this bullying continues, from taking her jacket off her body and throwing it into a puddle to punching her in the face and stomach. I contacted teachers, head teachers and principals, asking for help, trying to understand why these behavior is allowed or going unnoticed. Well, friends, here in lies the problem, the public school system.

First, “it is normal kindergarten behavior”. Next, “he is really a sweet boy in the classroom I cannot believe he would do that!” Then, “it is a bit aggressive, but this boy didn’t have the opportunity to go to preschool so he’s still working on his social skills” and now, “the parents feel like your complaints are race related”. Are you freaking kidding me? Does anyone outside of my husband and myself give two shits that the little 6 year old white GIRL who was able to go to preschool, but is also kind-hearted and empathetic to the degree that she wants to befriend the raccoon that ate my neighbors chickens, is being hit, teased, intimidated to the point of fear by a BOY.

Wake the Hell up, world! Last time I checked, when the media interviewed folks who knew and or lived near Jeffery Dahmer, after finding hacked up human parts in the nut job’s freezer, they said, “I always thought he was such a nice, guy. Sort of quiet and kept to himself, but nice all the same…”

So really, bullying it is real. Let’s pay attention and not assume someone is calling it out because the color of someone’s skin. My daughter doesn’t even see skin color. And as the human race, can we work proactively rather than reactively so we can support not only the victims, but those who are bullying others? Either give the positive attention that they so desperately crave or offer the guidance to support their personalities so they might find their own level of success. Normal playgrounds do not depict the pages of Lord of the Flies….