the purpose of bullying is to gain power through fear

I saw this in the paper today and thought about the administration in the school.


Carolyn Hax: Being a bully is not the same as being funny
Carolyn Hax
Washington Post Writers Group
Posted: 08/15/2009 12:10:00 AM PDT

Q: I've just had a conversation with my husband, asking him not to make fun of me when I forget something. His reply was: "Poking fun is the basis of all humor. That's my sense of humor. Comedians do it all the time." I said comedians are not in relationships with the people they are making jokes about. He said again that's his sense of humor, and I should get used to it. What do you think?

A: Comedians poke fun all the time, yes, but so do bullies.

The purpose of comedy is to amuse and enlighten; the purpose of bullying is to gain power through fear. Bullies find your weak spots and press until you fall in line.

Comedians poke fun at themselves as well as others. Bullies pick only on others, and only on people they regard as unlikely to strike back.

So how is your husband usually — amusing, or cruel? People of integrity won't dismiss a loved one's pain, or defend their right to cause it.

If, on the other hand, context says you married a bully, and you're just waking up to it, then please talk to a trained professional about emotional abuse. A call to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 800-799-SAFE, can get that process started.