Ramblings of a Crowe

Bitch Slap

You know, I've been reading a lot of shojo manga lately and I noticed how often the girls slap each other. Usually, it's the cliche bully chick picking on the heroine of the story, and more often than our hapless heroine just takes it. I never understood this. I mean, seriously, if some chick smacked me in the face, she'd be eating a knuckle sandwhich in the kisser and picking her teeth up off the ground...Right after I stepped on her head and gave her a wedgie.

Honestly, do Japanese chicks go around slapping each other for stupid shit? Granted, manga is just drawings, but it happens so often in shojo, I have to wonder.

Apparently, bullying is a serious problem in Japan. However, it's also a problem in the US too. I think both bullying in Japan and the US is similar. And more than likely it's similar all over the world.

I've always had a seething hatred of bullies. I was bullied once. Yeah, just once. Some chick that was built like a moose and her best friend that was probably a direct descendant of the manliest looking tribe of Amazons pushed me into a locker, constantly bumped into me, and made subtle threats and rude comments with in ear shot. All because my boyfriend of two years didn't like her. I was pretty scared. These girls had a reputation for being 'scary' and 'tough'.

This went on for a while and eventually by boyfriend found out about it. He was pretty pissed and told a couple of his other classmates about what was going on. Incidently, they happened to be sisters of two of my classmates (and those classmates were good friends of mine). The two of them confronted the bulliers and it all stopped immediatly.

I think it's important to note right now that the bullies were threatened with an ass kicking of a life time by these two girls. Also, it's important to note that of the two girls standing up for me, one of them was five foot two and about nintey pounds...and everyone was scared shitless of her. I watched this chick throw a huge ass garbage can (over her head) at some guy in the lunch room while screaming "FUCK YOU" at the top of her lungs. I also watched her take down the six foot tall school ho bag and beat the holy hell out of her behind the school while walking between classes. *laughs*

It was pretty embarassing to have other people stand up for me, but back then, I was pretty nonconfrontational. Nor was I used to people disliking me enough to harrass me.

A few years later I ran into the main bullier at a bar. By this time I'd become what I am today...a bitch. I stood at the bar and she recognized me as someone she went to school with. She approached me and started talking all nice to me. I played a long, and finally, in a nonchaulaunt manner said, "Remember that time you and Jill bullied me? Yeah, you pushed me into the lockers and called me nasty names all the time. You were a real bitch back then." She sort of stared at me as I smiled and sipped my drink.

I've since seen this girl off and on, (don't know where the other one went...perhaps she had a sexchange or re-found her Neanderthal family), and she ignores me. I find this hysterical. I was such a moron to be scared of that dipshit, but I was just a kid. I hadn't had the time to experience 'real' life. Between the time of my bullying experience and the time I ran into this girl again, I'd met people far more intimidating that this idiot...and most of those people became close friends of mine.

And they weren't bullies. They were just funny, amazing people who wouldn't take shit from anyone. They didn't need to push other people around to prove any points. They accepted everyone...they were everyone...preppies, jocks, hicks, gangsters, goth, misfits from all walks of life...we all got along so well. Most of the time. There was the occasional infighting, but a week later and everyone was friends again like nothing happened. There was nothing malicious about any of the squabbles we had. *laughs*

I learned a lot from these friends. I think it was a turning point in my life where I realized that groups didn't matter. 'Toughness' isn't really measured by reputation. Respecting yourself and others is important. And that no matter how different people are, there's always something in common that can bring them together.

So I suppose the point of this ramble is that bullies aren't tough. They're scared, cowardly little freaks. I know it's hard for kids to deal with them. I mean, hell, growing up is bad enough without having to be picked on and tormented by your peers. But in the end, bullies disappear. They aren't eternal, even though they feel like it.

I've always told my son to stand up for himself. My mother doesn't agree with my philosophy, but if my son is pushed and pushes back, I'm not going to berate him for it. I've also talked to him about how the imporant people in his life are the ones that matter the most. That friends aren't weighed by quanity, but instead, quality. That being happy and enjoying whatever he happens to enjoy is okay, even if other people think his hobbies are stupid and uncool. What do they care anyway? If said people were so much better, wouldn't they have more interesting and important things to do with their time, instead of picking on someone else for being different than them?

In the end, bullies are the pathetic ones. It's their lives that are lacking something. And that folks, is far more saddening than merely being 'different'.

A shout out to a few of those 'friends' I mentioned earlier:

Brandon, you big, dumb doofus! I still think those are socks in your pants. ;p

Alisa, sistah, you are one crazieeee bitch! Let'er Buck Baby! ;)

Shannon, thanks for letting me sleep on your floor. You're the most senstive tough nut I've ever met!

Brad, how many times have I told you not to play football in the house? Jesus! Thanks for breaking shit...again.

Jagger, thanks for looking out for me. Try not to shoot another hole in the roof, okay?

Jim and Crissa, you guys rock. Sorry for screwing up New Years '99. Though it was funny when Jim chased JA down the driveway. Too bad you didn't catch him...

Cody, *laughs* You're a good dad and our son couldn't be luckier. I'm glad we managed to stay close friends, even though things didn't work out. BTW...you're getting old. ;p

Jeremy...miss you little bro. Just remember, "The sky sure is pretty". Don't spill your beer!

I love you all!

Posted by Zoso at August 15, 2005 05:57 PM