In just a couple days, “Bully”, the movie, will be in theaters everywhere. This movie and topic interests me tremendously. You see, when I was in the eighth grade, my parents decided to move, so I had to transfer to a new school. I was the new kid and immediately the new target for the school bully. Jimmy was 2 years older and bigger than the rest of us in the class. His age and size difference was due to his exceptional grades and the desire of the teachers to have Jimmy in their classes for more than one year. Jimmy experienced this joy more than once.
Being bullied by Jimmy finally reached a culmination when he trapped me at the end of the west hall. I was cornered and had no where to go. He pushed me, called me names, and then gave me a front kick to the gut. I got lucky. I caught Jimmy’s foot, kicked him as hard as I could in the hamstring, and ran like hell.
Jimmy never bullied me again; not because I impaired his ability to walk, but a new kid, ironically also named Michael, was transferred in to the school. Jimmy had a new and slightly easier target. But Michael too would soon get relief from the bully who was finally expelled.
I don’t know where Jimmy is today. I certainly forgive him and hope things worked out for him. I only tell the story to hopefully convey the impact that bullying has. As crazy as it sounds, I remember every detail of every encounter with Jimmy, since, at the time, I truly feared for my life.
Bullying is a real problem and most kids will be bullied to some extent at some point in their lives. Handling bullies the wrong way can have grave consequences. Yet handling bullies the right way can save ones self esteem and even one’s life.
Even if a kid is never bullied, having the skills to handle a bully imparts social and character traits that will only help a kid to succeed in life.
One of the best ways to prepare a child for bullying is to have them learn discipline and self defense; not for the ability to pounce, but for the ability to not have to pounce and for the confidence for a positive outcome.
Julio Anta from Anta’s Fitness & Self Defense in Doral Florida is an expert in self defense and in the art of handling bullies. His techniques are not only about defeating the bully without fighting, but even leaving the door open to becoming friends later.
Find out more about the movie “Bully” at http://thebullyproject.com/. Watch one of the official movie trailers here:
Bully is scheduled to be in theaters April 13th, 2012.
Do You Have A Bully Story? Please Use The Comments Below.
