Following a successful Light in the Darkness [1] screening and discussion in September, Not In Our Town: Princeton has actively addressed issues of discrimination and racism through the group's blog [2].
The NIOT group has identified bullying in particular as an issue of concern facing the Princeton community. After viewing the documentary at the Princeton Public Library, audience members engaged in a thought-provoking discussion that ended with many participants recalling past bullying experiences, while others offered suggestions on how to responsibly combat bullying—as described in the group's post, republished here.
Heartbreaking and Thoughtful: Responses to Bullying
By Marietta Taylor
Nearly 60 people -- youth and adults -- came on Sept. 12, 2011, at the Princeton Public Library to see and discuss Light in the Darkness [1], a Not in Our Town/PBS documentary about hate crime. Their comments were heartbreaking and thoughtful, as recorded below.
On Sept. 12 everyone was given index cards and pencils and invited to record, anonymously, their 'bullying' experiences. They were asked to describe the bullying acts, their own responses and the responses of others. The cards were collected at the end of the meeting. About half of those attending (27) responded.
All but three of the comments were about experiences recollected from school days, including some from young people attending the event. Only three described bullying/harassment/ discrimination experienced as an adult. The middle school years were most frequently cited as the time of the worst bullying.
Sadly, a majority of the responders reported that they did not speak out; neither did anyone come to their aid. Among those responding who had a positive outcome, the successful interventions came from teachers (3), classmates (2), camp counselors (1), and family members (2).
The attenders were also asked for suggestions of ways to mitigate bullying in our community.
Some of the very good suggestions include:
• Victims should reach out for help,
• Bystanders should run for help,
• Let the bullies know that we saw it and it's not OK,
• On the first day of school, principals should make it clear in all school meetings what bullying is and why it will not be tolerated,
• Family and friends can help by speaking directly to the perpetrators and their families,
• Parents can help by talking with their kids about bullying and helping them really
understand “the bully,”
• We should look into the deeper psychological reasons for bullying and being bullied
• We should certainly not condone at a political level any evidence of unequal treatment of its citizens,
What we need to combat bullying:
• Greater ease of access to counseling,
• Provide emotional support to victim,
• Set strict standards and anti-bullying rules and laws,
• Hold “Bullying Awareness” programs,
• Realize the community can set strict bullying consequences and confront the problem,
• Make the laws more widespread known,
• Have empowerment programs for immigrant groups,
• Offer support groups,
• Ensure that people know that there are resources and people to go to,
• Churches should preach about these things and set a proper example.
To learn more about Not In Our Town Princeton visit their group page [3]. Read additional posts on bullying at the Not In Our Town Princeton blog [4].