My wife & I used to operate a karate studio. Naturally, our children were also students. Like guns, martial arts training can be a terrible weapon for misuse, so mental discipline is just as necessary as physical to keep it in check.
Naturally, there have always been bullies in school, but when confronted, my son would simply not be sucked in. Unfortunately, bullies don't seem very capable of distinguishing between fear and indifference. Confrontations persisted and we suggested he discuss the situation with trusted teachers, but that seemed fruitless. Finally, when a confrontation became violent, training and instinct took over, and my son successfully defended himself. Not by beating up the bully, but certainly enough to make the bully back off. Sadly, that did get the notice of the school and my son was going to be suspended for several weeks.
We contacted the school and reminded them that he'd tried to use conventional methods to defuse the situation, but that the school hadn't been inclined to commit itself. Still, it was only on the threat of a lawsuit, where all the factors would be brought out, including the school's inaction, that their decision for suspension was reversed.
As someone pointed out, though, we can't lay the blame solely upon the schools or their staff. It is Society, itself. Daily, I'm seeing more incidents of "bullies" all around us. I'm not talking about low-life thugs you might find on the "bad side of town" but everyday people. They're the ones who push their way into waiting lines, who shove their way around on the streets in their cars, the ones who have learned that others will automatically back down, either out of fear or simple disinclination for direct confrontation.
So, when I encounter people like that, what do I do? If I ignore them, I'm enabling them by being one more of the "sheep." If I confront their rudeness, I'm over-reacting. Well, frankly, I do ignore them. Nobody elected me to be a policeman for Society's manners. It's something that ALL of Society needs to deal with, starting with their own children. How many of them run rampant in the stores with no supervision of any kind? Argue what you will about religious morals, but there are social morals necessary in any crowded society. Most parents aren't teaching those social morals to their children because so many parents don't even hold themselves to any civil morals.
Likewise, they don't want anyone else teaching their children any "values" that just might be contrary to their own, so they embrace a One-Size-Fits-All policy which leads to Zero Tolerance. No thinking necessary; just add water. Because thinking requires moral judgement.
No way do you do too much ZT coverage. It's a serious problem in this country and you're right to cover it. Lots of the stories are amusing anyhow, and that's great. But too many people in this country want everything they see and hear to be entertaining, and never to have to focus on anything serious or unpleasant (or true).
In fact, we want to commend you on your ZT coverage and we liked your article in the 15 April email. Good work!
There can never be too much coverage about Zero Tolerance. Frankly, it's insane and it feels more like attempts to get younger people to accept totalitarianism as a fact for when the grow up. It needs to end not only in our schools but in our work places.
I recently resigned from my job because of so much idiocy, among them, Zero Tolerance. Can you believe I was actually reprimanded because in a moment of frustration, I said to a co-worker that I was fed up and tempted to cash in my 401k just so I could get out and find something better suited to my needs? Yes, I was. Someone eavesdropping told management they didn't want to hear my negativity. That's how they deal with discontent there - squash it.
Imagine that, a job which discourages independent thinking. And here you thought The Emperor's New Clothes was just a fable. Tut, tut! Don't you DARE say something that might contradict "conventional wisdom."
Let's see, 95% of us work for 45 years in a daily grind just trying to make ends meet, hoping we save enough for retirement but still banking on a company-sponsored pension AND Social Security. If that's "conventional" wisdom, then perhaps it's time to encourage some UNcoventional thinking. The problem, though, is that it's tough enough to herd the masses without letting them think, too. Just feed them dogma and pull the old ZT chain on the few who might rock the boat.
ZT: Too Much Coverage? - Comments
My wife & I used to operate a karate studio. Naturally, our children were also students. Like guns, martial arts training can be a terrible weapon for misuse, so mental discipline is just as necessary as physical to keep it in check.
Naturally, there have always been bullies in school, but when confronted, my son would simply not be sucked in. Unfortunately, bullies don't seem very capable of distinguishing between fear and indifference. Confrontations persisted and we suggested he discuss the situation with trusted teachers, but that seemed fruitless. Finally, when a confrontation became violent, training and instinct took over, and my son successfully defended himself. Not by beating up the bully, but certainly enough to make the bully back off. Sadly, that did get the notice of the school and my son was going to be suspended for several weeks.
We contacted the school and reminded them that he'd tried to use conventional methods to defuse the situation, but that the school hadn't been inclined to commit itself. Still, it was only on the threat of a lawsuit, where all the factors would be brought out, including the school's inaction, that their decision for suspension was reversed.
As someone pointed out, though, we can't lay the blame solely upon the schools or their staff. It is Society, itself. Daily, I'm seeing more incidents of "bullies" all around us. I'm not talking about low-life thugs you might find on the "bad side of town" but everyday people. They're the ones who push their way into waiting lines, who shove their way around on the streets in their cars, the ones who have learned that others will automatically back down, either out of fear or simple disinclination for direct confrontation.
So, when I encounter people like that, what do I do? If I ignore them, I'm enabling them by being one more of the "sheep." If I confront their rudeness, I'm over-reacting. Well, frankly, I do ignore them. Nobody elected me to be a policeman for Society's manners. It's something that ALL of Society needs to deal with, starting with their own children. How many of them run rampant in the stores with no supervision of any kind? Argue what you will about religious morals, but there are social morals necessary in any crowded society. Most parents aren't teaching those social morals to their children because so many parents don't even hold themselves to any civil morals.
Likewise, they don't want anyone else teaching their children any "values" that just might be contrary to their own, so they embrace a One-Size-Fits-All policy which leads to Zero Tolerance. No thinking necessary; just add water. Because thinking requires moral judgement.
Posted by: Mike from Dallas | April 20, 2007 1:08 AM
No way do you do too much ZT coverage. It's a serious problem in this country and you're right to cover it. Lots of the stories are amusing anyhow, and that's great. But too many people in this country want everything they see and hear to be entertaining, and never to have to focus on anything serious or unpleasant (or true).
In fact, we want to commend you on your ZT coverage and we liked your article in the 15 April email. Good work!
Posted by: Amanda and Mike, New Jersey | April 21, 2007 11:47 AM
There can never be too much coverage about Zero Tolerance. Frankly, it's insane and it feels more like attempts to get younger people to accept totalitarianism as a fact for when the grow up. It needs to end not only in our schools but in our work places.
I recently resigned from my job because of so much idiocy, among them, Zero Tolerance. Can you believe I was actually reprimanded because in a moment of frustration, I said to a co-worker that I was fed up and tempted to cash in my 401k just so I could get out and find something better suited to my needs? Yes, I was. Someone eavesdropping told management they didn't want to hear my negativity. That's how they deal with discontent there - squash it.
Posted by: Lucy, Texas | April 24, 2007 9:09 AM
Imagine that, a job which discourages independent thinking. And here you thought The Emperor's New Clothes was just a fable. Tut, tut! Don't you DARE say something that might contradict "conventional wisdom."
Let's see, 95% of us work for 45 years in a daily grind just trying to make ends meet, hoping we save enough for retirement but still banking on a company-sponsored pension AND Social Security. If that's "conventional" wisdom, then perhaps it's time to encourage some UNcoventional thinking. The problem, though, is that it's tough enough to herd the masses without letting them think, too. Just feed them dogma and pull the old ZT chain on the few who might rock the boat.
Posted by: Mike from Dallas | May 12, 2007 9:48 PM
Read the article that everyone's commenting on, or post a comment about it.