High School and Bullying Sucks, Period.

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There is so much that I’d love to say on the topic of bullying that I’m not sure where to begin.  Bullying wasn’t a huge problem for me during my high school years, but it took center stage during elementary school and junior high.

What is so sad is that I wasn’t aware that I was different in any way from other kids until I went to elementary school.  I happened to be shorter and bit stockier.  I looked, and still look, different.  It truly angers me to think that I began to believe those kids who constantly said that I was fat and ugly.

I began to believe it.  I stopped trying to find a sport or physical activity I enjoyed.  I internalized what I heard on the playground every day.  I’m sure that others were bullied as well.  It never mattered what I said or did.  Nothing changed.  I simply retreated into myself.  By the time I entered high school, I started preparing myself for college.  It simply couldn’t come fast enough!  I would finally be free of those classmates who refused to get to know me, who treated me so horribly.

My story aside, a friend of mine passed away over a year ago.  We grew up together, were in the same class, and quite frankly, were both targets.  I often wonder if things would’ve been different if he’d ever talked about being bullied.  As good of friends as we were, it wasn’t something we discussed.  We never felt the need to acknowledge it.

I feel so bad for the kids going through it now.  One can only hope that karma really does exist.  Let’s face it:  It isn’t just boys that bully.  Girls can definitely be bitches.  In many cases, they learn their behavior from their parents.  This post discusses it very well.  By the way, I happen to think that he is very cute!

Video of students fighting concerns SSC administration – Arenac County Independent

Ogemaw Heights teen drops out of school after being bullied for being a lesbian | MLive.com

Included below is my 1st grade school photo.  I remember being so upset about being short that my teacher, Mrs. Balton, tried to make me feel better by telling me that good things come in small packages.

Needed Some Space

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I just needed to take a brief break from blogging.  I apologize for the near silence. Quite frankly, a certain friendship, if you can call it that now, is haunting me.  I can’t help what I think, feel, say, and do.  I have to be myself, and I know that that doesn’t sit well with most people.

I am not one to be politically correct or the most socially aware.  I am opinionated.  I always have been, probably always will be.  I’ve experienced probably more than most in my 29 (almost 30) years, and if I’ve learned anything at all, it is that I do have something to say.  It may not always be pretty and/or nice, but it is the truth as I see it.

I’ve been working on a post discussing bullying for weeks now.  It is time to finish it.

Lindsey

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Moving On …

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I never dreamed the subject of this post would actually read it. He called me out on it via IM earlier this evening. All of a sudden I’m confused. He essentially said it was a cop-out to say that conservatives are misunderstood. OK? Under normal circumstances, I’d agree with him.  These are not normal times or normal circumstances.

Here’s the catch. Do non-conservatives (and I state non-conservatives as Mr. X stubbornly refuses labels) fully understand just how biased the mainstream media is and its impact on our society? The way I view it, we as a country were in danger of losing our political diversity.  The election, of course, took care of that.

Here’s my take on the election.  As much as I would have loved to see the Republicans take the Senate too, I think the current arrangement will be in the best interest of the country.  Let’s face it:  The United States economy works best under gridlock.  I’m hoping that the economy benefits enormously from this arrangement, just as it did during the later Reagan and Clinton years.

Back to media bias.  I’m tired of watching people who don’t hold the “correct” social views be torn apart by the likes of Katie Couric, “The View,” and pretty much anyone on MSNBC.  Here’s the thing:  I certainly don’t always agree with Fox News, but at least they have the guts to actually talk to people of opposing political views.  They are actually pretty fair.

Let me put it this way.  How well accepted would a political candidate be if she were pro-life, pro gun rights, and looking to create a smaller government?  She wouldn’t be.  That’s the sad fact.  Most of the current mainstream media would be unable to fully comprehend the thinking behind those political beliefs, much less provide a platform for said candidate to explain her beliefs fully.  It is sickening, and I’m tired of it.  I’m tired of being told that I’m a hick, uneducated, racist, or even worse just because of the beliefs I hold.  Period.

Mr. X, if you want a serious conversation about politics, I’m all ears.  Just hear me out before you jump to conclusions.

Lindsey

Truer Lyrics Never Written

Reality Sets In

During my colleges days, I fell for a man who then had many similar interests as me, etc.  We became great friends; some of my favorite memories of college include him.  Today, as I learn more about him and his life since college, I can’t help but wonder what went so terribly wrong.

I am so glad that we only ever were friends.  Quite frankly, I don’t even know if we could be friends today.  We don’t understand each other politically.  I know for a fact that he is sincerely trying to understand the conservative point of view.  He doesn’t get it.  That’s all fine and good, but if you don’t understand conservatives, for the love of God and country, admit that you are a Democrat!  At the very least admit you are liberal or liberal progressive.  Like many men, he just won’t commit!

I apologize for this rant, but it is seriously getting under my skin.  I had so many wonderful politically laced conversations with this man at one time.  It appeared as though we saw things in a similar light.  I suppose not.  I guess Chicago changes a person.

Lindsey