Given what happened over at Walker Middle School recently, we are graphically reminded — again — that “bullying” is more than a rite-of-passage, “boys will be boys” matter. In fact, the Hillsborough County Commission is now using state justice grant funds to initiate an anti-bullying awareness and community outreach program. There will be a hot line and cyber link for youth to report bullying, plus posters, PSA’s and training for parents.
The focus on bullying even warranted a timely, page-one Tampa Tribune piece on “Standing Up To Bullies.”
The article came with a sidebar on tips for stopping bullying. Advice such as being involved with your child and teaching confident body language. But it also included this: “Practice one- or two-word comebacks like ‘Wow,’ ‘Dude’ or ‘What?!’ that might throw a bully off- balance.”
Say what?
Not to sound unsalvageably old school, but in lieu of a dubious “Dude” gambit, why not
try this: Take the lad to a gym. Jab, jab, right cross. “Who’s next, Dude?”