Bullying

You will have to read ahead to part B to complete this column. While reading in preparation to perform the task for part B, highlight, copy and paste to the third column.  

Part B

• Craft a short script between yourself and a friend who is the victim of a cyberbully. Your goal is to find out what they are going through and to help them find relief and support.
• Optional: with a partner, turn the script into a video (what could you do with it then?)

Part C

As part of the Safer Schools initiative The Ministry of Education has taken an interest in what students think about cyberbullying and online responsibility. Those views are posted in video and text formats here: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/safeschools/respect.html

• What message did you get from the video?  Draft an email response to the video: be sure to include your thoughts on the topic, and/or suggestions for the Minister of Education. You are not required to submit your email, however there is an invitation to do so via [email protected]. (There is a second forum being planned for this spring. As part of your response, please indicate your level of interest in participating in such a forum even if you do not plan to send the email).

2. The workplace

The page at http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/amibeing.htm is one of many pages describing bullying in the workplace.

1. Read the points under the heading “What is Bullying?” Have you encountered any of the behaviours during co-op placements, at a part time job, or in a volunteer position?
2. From the list come up with a short quiz that will help young people in the workplace answer the question: “Are you being bullied at work?”

3. Genocide, bystanders, and dehumanizing victims  

From CBC's The Current (04 11 07):

"For our next guest recognizing the nature of the violence in Rwanda represents something much different. For Barbara Coloroso the phenomenon of genocide can be understood through the more ubiquitous experience of schoolyard bullying.

Two years ago -- the expert in school-discipline and conflict resolution -- traveled to Rwanda. And it was that experience that led her to write her latest book Extraordinary Evil: A Brief History of Genocide. We've reached Barbara Coloroso at her home in Denver, Colorado."

Listen to the Podcast (called "Part 3") here: http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/2007/200704/20070411.html

• Coloroso states that bullies dehumanize their victims the same way that those who engage in genocide do. She also claims that bystanders (people who do nothing to stop bullying) share the blame in this dehumanization. Write a one paragraph reflection on the relationship among bystanders, victims and genocide.