<font color="purple">And by people, I mean high school kids who happen to ride my bus.

There is this one boy in our school, let's just call him "Bob" his oler (or maybe twin?) brother, we'll call him "Jim" and a girl on the bus who we will talk about later, whom I will dub the fake name "Ashley"

Let us just start off by saying that Jim by many means is not a very pleasent kid to be around. He has a bit of an attitude problem with other kids, and by no means is he all that "mature" in the sense that he still has alot of traditionaly childish behavior (ex: sucking his thumb) and it doesn't help that he has a bad habbit of stinking yp the buss. On a few occations I actualy began to think that it was a very good possibility that he was mentaly retarded to one degree or another. His brother Jim though, is very opisite of his brother. He still has a bit of a mean attitude, but he goes at great legnths to prove that he's really sharp. Because of the qualities mentioned above, they really don't have many friends. I guess they lump into the same group of misfits that I do, and it really doesn't bother me all that much.

With that being said, Bob get's picked on pretty badly. I thinks that's why he has a few of the issues mentioned above- they are really just a defense mechanism to drive away as many people as possible. It really doesn't help that when people pick on him that his brother Jim JOINS IN. At least when I was being picked on when I was little my brother had enough guts to actualy counterattack.

Which brings me to Ashley, yesterday, she was taking pictures on them (because she was sitting behind them) and making videos on her digital camera just for the sake of ticking them off. I just wanted to tell her off and to leave them alone, but I'm a bit sidetracked with the kid whom I sit next to.

But I have actualy heard some rumors about their backstory before. Apparently one reason why Bob is so messed up is because he saw his Dad commit suicide in order to avoid getting sent to prison. I think there was some sort of abuse involved in there too, but I don't remember it that well. In any case, this is just a rumor from their neighbor, and my brother's ex, so I don't know if it's true or not. Especialy considering that she has a marvelous track record for making up tall tales. Regardless, I either have too little nerve or too much compassion or any combination thereof, to ask if it was.

I was bad enough that they picked on them (I don't care how repulsive they can be- it's just not right) but now knowing what these kids really are going through if said rumor is true then that's just plain aweful.

Which brings me to my question: Why can't people just leave eachother alone?</font>

And so the sad stories go on :-(

Your story is a sad but unfortunately common one. I was a victim of bullying when I was in school, but at elast my family stood by me. With a history behind the boys, like you mentioned, it can certainly affect each child differently.

I don't know the children you speak of or what the environment is like. I do know, though that a young man who used to be bullied in my neighbourhood is now big as an ox and when he sees other kids being bullied, he will step in with his intimidating figure and stand up for the bullied child. I was bullied very much by my whole junior high school. The female who bullied me most, I now thank her for what she did because if I could handle her, I can now handle anybody. Nobody has been as intimidating in my life since her. For that, she made me strong and sensitive to others feelings.

Do you attend teh school these teens attend? If so, you can advise the school counsellor of the activities and let school staff take care of it.

[DocClyde]

Some people are so down and depressed themselves that they only feel good by hurting others, sadly.

I hope it gets better on the bus soon

[selfy]

people dont give a toss for background stories. they refuse to empathise. cuz either they cant for lack of maturity, or they wont, cuz it hurts sometimes. but not as much as they hurt others by their actions. if a bully feels insecure, maybe cuz someone is different, or cuz that person is aloof and gives off the impression they think theyre better than them (even if the opposite is true) they will pick on them mercilessley to protect their ego. the ones who empathise, or the ones in the vulnerable position, are always the ones who end up worst off. that is why some refuse to, and ignore the fact that the person they are ganging up on is human.

[Jazz91]

when people bully you it is because they have a hard life and they feel better when they make you feel bad a way to deal wit this is to not let them win dont let them see that it hurts you if it gets really bad laugh at it

it sounds strange but it works believe me cuz i haven't been bullied since

That is just so terrible of those kids to tease them. That is a big part of why school annoys me. I am a very "nice" person at school in the sens that i am willing to talk to or have lunch with anyone yet if i do those things with the "wrong" person people will be like WTF you cant talk to them they are not cool people will make fun of you too... its like come on guys seriously. No one likes to be picked on so why pick on others?

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Clyde said:
Some people are so down and depressed themselves that they only feel good by hurting others, sadly.

I hope it gets better on the bus soon

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I agree alot with clyde

[x_BabyG_x]

What a world we live in. Its so sad to hear all that, but unfortunately school kids can be school kids.

Hope it all works out for him in the end, hopefully the people who bully him come to realise how much this guy is really suffering

xxx

[StarPonysMama]

The old saying, "Kids are cruel" comes into my mind.

With a name like "Ravyn" (pronounced Raven). Going through school was no easy task for me either. My mom "Robin" had it even worse with people calling her "robin red breast". I can only imagine.

Some people have to down others to make themselves feel better. This not only happens in childhood but in adult life sadly.

I think it's wonderful however, that you can see it and that it bothers you. That shows that you have feelings and care about others even knowing all their issues.

Not sure as far as any advice as what to do but, it's good that you see it and know that it's wrong to treat people that way.

[curley]

I have often wondered why but kids can be so cruel! Mean and cruel. And you are right they never consider why a person is like they are, and obviously dont care. There is the story I have heard many times about the student walking home from school and offers to carry another students books. He later finds out that the one boy was contemplating suicide but because he was shown some kindness he did not! It would be nice if kids thought about these things.
Another consideration is some of the biggest bullies are bullies because they are bullied! They are many time abused at home and react by treating others with the only thing they know! Very very sad. And how nice that you are thinking about his. Maybe you can make a change is some of these students!

[Doh2007]

When we're in school, we're at the mercy of our peers. It would take an extraordinary person to stand up to the mob. Most people don't have that self confidence or if they do, they realize that they could be ostracized if they stand up for the weaker one.

People have feared a mob forever. It's hard to turn a mob when they've decided on a plan of attack.

[Lenny]

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Doh2007 said:
It's hard to turn a mob when they've decided on a plan of attack.

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Wise words there...

I only know of two ways...walk away or build a bigger mob.

Both work and both have promise,,it truely depends upon what is at risk and what will be gained.

IMHO.

Lenny