Do we have multiple narratives where school personnel are aware, but do not take any action?

I think so. Certainly the story here represents itself that way.

The story I alluded to (child with CP bullied on the bus) represented itself that way.

It seems these kids often know they should reach out for protection and support from adults….

The adults immediately in the situation seem content to throw them to the wolves.

I’m not talking about after the fact ev

You can change the subject if you wish…

The subject:

Just action.

My solution:

Let me counter with another notion: Christian kids should have been his protectors. And as long as no one was protecting him or coming to his defense, then we have failed. That is our role, our assigned duty.

Any questions?

Cy Fair ISD officials said Monday that they never received any complaints from Brown’s parents before the suicide about the way the boy was being treated at school. School district spokeswoman Kelli Durham said no students, school employees or the boy’s parents ever reported that he was being bullied. That statement infuriated the Truongs, who accused the school district of protecting the bullies and their parents.

“That’s absolutely inaccurate — it’s completely false,” Amy Truong said. “I did not hallucinate phone calls to counselors and assistant principals. We have no reason to make this up. … It’s like they’re calling us liars.” David Truong said, “We want justice. The people here need to be held responsible and to be stopped. It did happen. There are witnesses everywhere.”

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7220896.html

What on earth are you talking about, Debbie? This sounds like a government anti-poverty program. What “weakness” in these kids do you believe is responsible for their being bullied to death? And what exactly do their eyes need to be opened about in order to live their lives, go to school and study like anyone else? A person who is accustomed to always being rescued will not learn how to stand on his own two feet??? Are you serious? What does that have to do with one kid sticking up for another who is being bullied?

David R. – I did not state I found some weakness is causing kids to be bullied. Surely, the bullies perceive them to be weak. It is both the bully and the bullies who need our help, and yes, that may mean dealing with whatever is, as David B. pointed out earlier, at the root of both the bully and the victim mentality. Both kinds of kids are troubled in their own way.

Anti-bullying programs are supposed to give all the players the proper tools with which to change this environment, right? Do you have a problem with that? What are you objecting to? For Pete’s sake, I am not saying (have I not made that clear?) that those who are bystanders ought not come to the aid of an oppressed or bullied kid. But we are surely shortsighted if we don’t also realize he needs to be able to build his own defenses, to learn that his self-worth does not come from the opinions of others. It is inherent because he has been created by God. You do get that, don’t you?

There is a distinct difference between repeatedly rescuing — enabling — and providing genuine help that builds up and encourages a person. The latter is what we all should be wanting to see.

Why not just civilly disagree with me rather than trying to knock me off my Christian pedestal?

Okay, I’ll buy into the criticisms of religious conservatives …

I’m not criticizing religious conservatives (stop looking for insult when none is present). I’m criticizing the Christian Church. All of the body of Christ should instinctively respond by protecting and championing the oppressed.

It just occurred to me that perhaps an anti-bullying program ought to be developed that is geared to church sunday schools.

Yes, exactly. Perhaps it could springboard off of the Golden Rule project.

I do think that due to the nature of the oppressed in this example that mainline churches will be more receptive to an effort to become protectors at first. But I hope that all Christians will eventually see their role as protector.

Or I may be wrong. Perhaps the Southern Baptists will lead the way.

Matthew Sheppard was not brutalized the the local baptist minister, under orders from leaders in the Dominion movement. He was brutalized by criminals who laid in wait.

OK – I’m weighing in because I think your accusations against Timothy, one of the loudest and most vocal supporters of anti-bullying programs on this entire blog – outside Warren – is out of bounds

My answer to your quote above is, so what? You dont have to be a minister or a Dominion leader to be a Christian that bullies – and you most certainly don’t have to be a conservative Christian to be effected by the intolerant message spread by some of its proponents

Equally reprehensible is that the school appears to be circling the wagons with regards to the parents complaints

Cy Fair ISD officials said Monday that they never received any complaints from Brown’s parents before the suicide about the way the boy was being treated at school.

the parents claim otherwise. Even if the parents are exaggerating that they made complaints to the school (not saying they are, just it is possible in their grief they are mis-remembering things), a far more compassionate response on the schools part would be to simply say “we are still looking into the matter.”