There is a lot of hand wringing about bullying lately. Some of it comes from the special needs community who sees their vulnerable children, who often can't communicate, as special targets. Another big target for bullying comes from students who are gay, announced as so or perceived, usually older students. But even if you took away all the special needs and gay students, there would be no reduction in bullyings. Other targets would be selected by predators. Studies have shown that given the right situations, regular normal people can easily slip into bully/authoritarian roles. It seems we all have this devil lurking within. Childhood insecurity seems to provoke the bully in children. But it doesn't start with children.
Bullying starts at the top. We have role models at the top of the political hill who are the worst of bullies towards each other and set the tone of behavior towards one another. Negative political ads by the presidential candidates on down are pure bully tactics. Why do politicians act like bullies to get elected or reelected? Because such tactics often work, especially if there is not much positive to point to. We seem to give the bullies our attention and believe in their slurs and taunts, and thus empower them. We have met the enemy and he is us.
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