Assignment 5-1 Weekly Analysis 5 Due May 2, 2010

Was she bullied to death?
By now we have all heard about the heart breaking story of Phoebe Prince. We first learned about her back in January, and these last couple of weeks her story has been even more popular. She was tormented on a daily basis which led to her decision that death would be the only way to stop it. It is sad that she has so much support now, but where was all that support when she needed it the most. Her friends stood by her side through it all, but now she has the support of the whole country.
We have all heard the quote that “girls can be mean” and a lot of older women said they wouldn’t want to be a teenager these days. No one seems to want to do anything until it is too late, and then they make excuses on why they didn’t do anything about it. We are quick to blame others, but when was the last time we stood up for someone who was being tormented. When was the last time we tried to stop someone else pain brought on by their peers? So many times we feel for the person, but yet we are glad it is not us.
I was lucky in high school, I had to older brothers who would do anything to protect me, and I made friends with all the right people. I live in a small town and our high school has the max of about 400 students. Though we were small in number, there were a couple of people who were tortured, and they went through hell at school. They would go to the principle and the other head people, and nothing was done. They didn’t do anything because the kids getting accused were friends of the principle’s daughter.
I family friend’s son got punched in the face a couple months ago, and the parents were told that nothing could be done until it happens again. What? Until it happens again! Let me through this out there when the kid was leaving school he threatened the witness that came forward. And they wonder why kids end up killing themselves or worse bringing a gun or something to school.
The bulling goes down to the first grade. The girl I watch was scared to go to school, because one of her classmates threatened to bring a knife to school and cut her up. The kids only got three days out of school. I think we need to take a serious look at who is running our schools.
The Phoebe Prince story is just one of many that end tragically. Many people can relate to her story of wanting to end the pain. So many kids want to end their lives because of what they go through on a daily basis. I understand that we can’t protect them from everything, but there has to be something to ease the torture they get on a daily basis.

References
Smolowe, J., Herbst, D., Welsensee Egan, N., Rakowsky, J., & Mascia, K. (2010, April 26). Bulled to Death? Insider Her Torment. People Magazine , pp. 66-70.