Dear Editor:
I can state with certainty that bullying is alive and well in Corner Brook.
I may not make a difference, but I do feel compelled to publicly state my displeasure and to remind those who participate in such cruel acts of the pain they are inflicting on those innocent victims.
Bullying by those who seek out to demoralize others whom they consider inferior, should instead be showing compassion as they themselves prepare to face the challenges of life.
I know a family — a father, son and daughter. The son was bullied to the extent he ended up at the local hospital. What a shame. The father was and is still devastated. The question remains, what can a father do when we all know that the choices are limited?
This young person found himself being bullied because, would you believe, he is very shy and was reluctant to mingle.
Why shouldn’t he be permitted to just be himself? He has suffered tremendously, but if left alone and treated equally, he may with time overcome his shyness, and no doubt, will mingle.
Bullying is an ongoing problem we hear about almost on a daily basis and often when it’s too late. Those young souls suffer alone and may carry their scars with them the rest of their lives and their true talents may never be known.
Sadder still, they may turn to drugs or even, perish the thought, find they cannot cope with life and want to leave this world.
It seems so unfair that everyone is not treated in a fair manner. Some are bullied because of some disability, which in itself is sad, others because their family may not be able to afford brand name clothes and/or footwear, etc., etc.
I say zero tolerance for those who continue to make life unbearable for those who struggle on a daily basis because of bullying.
Bert Coish, Little Rapids
