The topic we are exploring is brought to us from Lisa at UseYourWisdom: In many situations where someone is being bullied or picked on the rest of us tend to just sit and watch.  We are an audience instead of a vehicle of change.  We gawk at the one doing the mistreating and the one on the receiving end.  We could give immediate support to the person being teased/bullied or we could try to distract the bully/teaser from their subject.  We typically don’t though.  Why is that?  What is it about seeing someone being mean to another that paralyzes us?  Do we feel it’s none of our business?  Do we not know what to do?  Are we concerned about becoming the next target?  Do we enjoy seeing other people belittled?

First, I think Lisa is out for revenge because this is a tough topic.  Especially for me…  I was either always the target of the bullying or standing up for others who were bullied.  Needless to say, I got beat up a lot.  And from that perspective, I would think that as a general rule, we are afraid of being the next target if we intervene. 

For me, I never enjoyed see other people belittled.  However, a few of my fellow targets enjoyed watching others be the center of a bullies attention.  I am not sure if they felt like they were not alone or if they actually enjoyed watching someone else be the victim.  I never asked.  Maybe, because I never wanted to know. 

I have seen teen-aged girls that will even defend the bully as someone who is just “joking”or “playing.”  They will say things to the victim like “Can’t you take a joke?”  I have always wondered if they defend the bully because they think that they are right or if they are so afraid of becoming the next target that they will take the bully’s side.  I asked some of the girls friends and for the most part they agreed that it is because people are afraid.  All three of our girls have been either metaphorically or actually bloodied in battle.  After the fight, they felt bad for hurting the other kid.  But, they never regretted standing up for what was right.

I have posted this once before, but I feel the need to do it again.  It is what I preach and practice:

As said by Druss the Legend, a character created by David Gemmell.

Never violate a woman, nor harm a child.
Do not lie, cheat or steal.
These things are for lesser men.
Protect the weak against the evil strong.
And never allow thoughts of gain to lead you into the pursuit of evil.
Never back away from an enemy. Either fight or surrender.
It is not enough to say “I will not be evil.” Evil must be fought wherever it is found.

I feel it is important to stand up for the victims and to fight bullies where ever they are found.  This does not make me very popular all of the time.  At the end of the day though, I know what I have done was right.

As always, please visit my co-hosts Tricia and Amy.  And if you would like to participate, please leave a link to your post in the comments!