I submitted this to our local paper, but they would not print it because WHIO is I guess not considered newsworthy:
Dear Editor,
I have read through the comments of many responding to the
video from WHIO Channel 7 News that was posted on Facebook regarding bullying that took place, resulting in
a tragic death by suicide of a young girl. Many of those commenting seem to truly believe that the
school district turned a blind eye when they were made aware and did not
appropriately handle the bullying situations.
I do not have any first-hand information about the district’s
dealings nor the victim or the victim’s family, however, I do know we have a
multiple systems failure that will not be resolved until we as a community stop
pointing fingers and stop placing blame on everyone else. We all are to blame and we need to stop
expecting the schools to fix all the ills of society. We all must start
figuring out ways to shift our culture.
Emile Durkheim was known as the father of sociology and his stance
more than a century ago was to reject the notion that education had the ability
to transform culture and resolve all that ails society. Instead, Durkheim
surmised that education “can be reformed only if society itself is reformed.” His
stance was that education “is only the image and reflection of society. It
imitates and reproduces the latter…it does not create it” (Durkheim, 1897/1951:
372-373).
Jamie Vollmer (2010), in his book, “Schools Cannot Do It Alone,” cites a long history of blame placed
on the schools for not doing their job.
His list goes back to 1879 (pp 92-94). This is not new. But lets play
this out.
Say the school was aware that bullying had taken place.
Consequences were administered which would most likely result in suspension for
up to ten days for the first offense, and possibly an expulsion should things
escalate and not improve. What is
the outcome? Did the bully’s heart
change because of a suspension or even an expulsion? My guess is that most bullies who are suspended for their
behaviors feel more affirmation than remorse. I am not saying that school
consequences are not necessary.
They send a message to others that these behaviors are not
tolerated. However, it does not typically
end the behavior of the bully.
We have a heart problem, not a school problem. Where were the supports for this
precious young lady who, while spared from cancer, did not know she had value
and purpose? Whose job is it to
create systems to build a culture of caring and compassion? Whose job is it create a climate of
kindness where mean and hateful behaviors are never tolerated?
I say the blame is with us all. Who will go with me to make a change?
Linda S. Locke, PhD
(937) 536-5811
Durkheim, E. (1897/1951). Suicide,
A study in sociology. New York: Free Press.
Vollmer,
J. (2010). Schools cannot do it alone:
Building public support for America’s
public schools. Fairfield,
IA: Enlightenment Press.
alisha@mail.postmanllc.net
ReplyDeleteNot sure what your comment is. Just an FYI -- the Urbana Daily Citizen did NOT print my letter!
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