I never cease to be amazed at the “if you don’t treat bullies with respect you are the baddie” discourse in the US. It’s been the MO in schools for about 80 years and has become the standard operating procedure for many adults. Protecting yourself and others from bullies is an ethical imperative. As is supporting others who have defended themselves or others are being further victimized as a result. Bullies (and the people/systems that support them) lack empathy, compassion, reason, and accountability and are only happy when they feel powerful, which they achieve by harming anyone they think they can get away with. The only language they understand is force and any other tactic is as useful as yelling at a brick wall.
I never cease to be amazed at the “if you don’t treat bullies with respect you are the baddie” discourse in the US. It’s been the MO in schools for about 80 years and has become the standard operating procedure for many adults. Protecting yourself and others from bullies is an ethical imperative. As is supporting others who have defended themselves or others are being further victimized as a result. Bullies (and the people/systems that support them) lack empathy, compassion, reason, and accountability and are only happy when they feel powerful, which they achieve by harming anyone they think they can get away with. The only language they understand is force and any other tactic is as useful as yelling at a brick wall.
100% - Cheers!