Quick To Judge

Hello again!

I have realized that this is the middle of my spring break. Half of it is over.

What poop.

I wish I had actually done something with my Monday and Tuesday. I've realized that time goes by slower or at least more enjoyable when I'm doing something (well, duh). I just spent the days lying around, which is a nice break from life, but really not needed for an entire two days! Tomorrow I'd like to get up nice and early (at least before 8) so I can actually greet the day!

I've been reading a book for class today. Since it was such a lovely day I decided to take a chair outside and read. Sunshine is an instant mood booster, energizer, and all around happiness. So I sat and read for quite a few hours. I live pretty close to an elementary and a middle school so some kids were walking by my house after school ended. I decided to sit in the front yard because our back yard is often shady in the afternoon and I wanted sun, gosh darn it! I tried to tune out most of the children (although they're adorable) so I could get my reading done. However, there is one group of children I could not tune out.

I could not hear their words very clearly, but they were obviously talking about "that girl in the chair". By the tone of their voices I could tell they were not compliments. This really struck me. These children are in middle school - possibly elementary school - and are saying things about someone who is just reading in their front yard. I did nothing, but sit there and read. I think they eventually realized I had a book in my hand and that I was not just sitting there, but that does not dismiss that they were quick to judge someone they do not even know. I am rarely home anymore so they would have no reason to think of me poorly. Even if I was home, I do nothing that should upset people living down the street from me. What are our children learning? Are we teaching them to be this judgmental? Are they learning this from their peers? Where did their peers learn to treat others this way? Is this a form of self-empowerment? If so it needs to be stopped.

I was not bullied much as a kid. The biggest insult I got was in elementary school when people would call me Barbie. Now I look back and think, "Why was I insulted by that? That's kind of a compliment", but at the time it felt like an insult. I was much taller than my peers and had hair down to my tush. I did not like that people called me anything other than my name. If most people have had names thrust upon them and felt their pain, then why spread the hurt to others? I think children need to understand that giving someone else the pain they felt does not make their pain go away. An eye for an eye just makes two bruised, bloody eyes. It doesn't reduce the swelling.

A lot of these ideas have sprung from the book I was reading, The Misfits by James Howe. I, so far, love this book and recommend it to all of you. It addresses the idea of minorities and elementary school through middle school name calling. It's also pretty hilarious.

Anyway, you guys, I hope you had a sunshiny day. Don't forget to let me know if you want to know all of the things I am doing. Sweet dreams!

Kt