Sup Juggalos,
You know with today’s technology, the internet, cell phones, and social networking we are capable of being in contact with anybody at anytime. Unless you’re trying to contact me that’ll be a little difficult. Nonetheless, with the changing times and the information age it seems that problems that didn’t exist back when I was a teenager are rearing their ugly heads and are a big problem for today’s youth. Have you ever met a teenager that doesn’t have a cell phone? This is a teen’s life blood. I didn’t grow up with cell phones, email or texting. I remember when I first joined the Navy in September 1994, the only way to get a hold of someone was to either call with a prepaid calling card or to write them a letter. Letters only got through if the Helicopter came, and if the Helo crashes like one of mine did, then you’re poop out of luck. You see kids these days and they can’t live without that cell phone. The worst thing you can do is to take away a kid’s cell. It’s like an electronic leash. I was at a church service and this teenager was texting. The conversation must have got heated because she was mashing those keys. And then she run and tell her friend what the person on the other line was saying to offend her. I asked if I could see her phone. She handed it to me…I turned it off. She looked at me like I was a freakazoid. I was like “What?! Now you don’t have to worry about anyone pissing you off. I tried to explain to her that she had the power. She had the power not to respond or she had the power to respond to it later. She stared at me if she didn’t understand the concept. What do you mean I can screen my calls? What do you mean I can block? What do you mean that I have an option not to listen to their bullshit?
I can’t seem to find very many people who can say that they weren’t picked on or bullied to some extent while going to school. Those years are a difficult time. Kids are cruel and fitting in isn’t always the case, especially if you come from a different culture, or background. One could easily say that we haven’t fully established our Individual selves until we are older. But in this awkward period we should all have the right to experience our own confusions and self realizations unmolested and unharmed. We must also remember and come to realize that with today’s technology it may not be so simple to walk away from or is it? Ultimately who is responsible for internet activity? Who is responsible for the actions of our children? It’s an age old question that seems to become more difficult and yet so simple to answer. The media and governments will battle and say that our children’s actions is the responsibility of one organization or another. They will shoulder the blame of our youth’s behavior on video games, music or the school system. Ultimately, however, the responsibility of our children belongs to us. Us, meaning the adults, the parents, and the children themselves. Parents can control access to websites and the purchase of games or music. Education is the key when teaching our children right from wrong. Unfortunately not every parent shares in this responsibility and that is why the phrase rings more true today then before “It takes a village to raise a child”.
But what of bullying? Bullying can come from a many different profiles of people, many forms and can happen to anyone. Traditionally the Bully use to be a kids who hated their own life and decided that the only way that they could feel satisfaction is by making other people feel less than them. In some ways this is still true. But now the Bully can be an elitist who actually believes that they are better than everyone else and the only way to maintain that superiority to beat down the little people. Recognizing who the bullies are isn’t as near as important as curbing bully behavior. It takes a social change of non-tolerance when it comes to bullying. Education in schools shouldn’t be limited to a single classroom exercise, but should be expanded as to not just a part of the mandatory curriculum but should become part of the faculty and student body mentality. Each student should be encourage to suppress bullying behavior and encouraged to turn in the bullies. Each faculty member should confidentially receive all reports of bullying and should stand up for the victim even if it isn’t the popular thing to do.
Most of all, is our young’s inner feelings. In a society that has little room for the outcast, can we at least preach Acceptance. Not just for the masses but shouldn’t our children be taught to accept and Love themselves for who they are. A human trait, no doubt, to constantly seek the Acceptance and want for belonging and human compassion. We must teach our young that it’s okay to be different and that when you or someone else is different that they shouldn’t outcast, made fun of or even injured. It is our differences that make us whole as a people. Embrace those differences and foster self-esteem instead of self-loathing.
MCL
Rev. Last Rite
Presiding Minister, Founder
Fellowship Of Juggalos
www.thefellowshipofjuggalos.com
www.fojcommunity.webs.com
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