By Victor Gorin, for “Metro Star” December 1, 2008
Educators, mental health professionals, activists and others interested in Oklahoma’s students came together November 13 for the 2nd Stop Hate in the Hallways Conference. Following the success of the first conference held in Oklahoma City, this meeting was held at the U.S. Postal Service’s National Facility for Employee Development in Norman, bringing in people throughout Oklahoma interested in making Oklahoma’s schools safer.
The Conference was originally organized by Cimarron Alliance, mainly because of a glaring need that wasn’t being met. While there have been many incidents of school violence, and conferences and discussion to address it, there had never been a conference, seminar or major meeting that included what many feel is the most common target of bullying, those who are or are perceived to be gay or lesbian.
Whether the problem is growing or simply being recognized and addressed is open to question. What is certain is that there definitely is a problem. In a national study, over 30% of U.S. students reported being involved in bullying either as a bully (13%), a victim (11%), or both (6%). Coming close to home, the Oklahoma State Department of Health did a study surveying 7,848 Oklahoma students. They found similar results, with 33% that had been involved in bullying, 12% as the bully, 14% as the victim, and 7% involved in both. One in five students worried often or daily about being bullied. More than half never reported it to an adult at school or a parent. When asked what could be done about the situation, 2/3 of those who were bullied and half of those not bullied wanted better adult supervision.
Not only is bullying damaging to the victims, but frequently the bullies suffer as well, with over 60% of those categorized as bullies in grades 6-9 having at least one criminal conviction by age 24. A study of the U.S. Department of Education of 37 school shooting incidents found that 71% of the shooters felt threatened and/or persecuted, or had been attacked.
Following a welcome by Richard Odgen, Chairman of Cimarron Alliance, the conference was addressed by Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson. He pointed out how things have changed, how prejudices from home are brought to schools, and how those who are different frequently become objects of bullying.
This point was best made by the keynote speaker, Stephen Wessler, who directs the Center for the Prevention of Hate Violence located in Portland, Maine, and was a former assistant Attorney General in that state was well. He is the author of the book, “The Respectful School,” and has received many awards for his work in the area of civil rights.
He pointed out that serious bullying begins with words. He told of a student (pseudonym John), who was perceived to be gay by four male students at his school. At first they talked behind his back, and nobody objected. It escalated to name calling directly to John. Then it escalated to tripping and shoving in the hall, with no objections or intervention. The following February he was jumped by three boys and severely beaten, and nobody intervened or told an adult. This was followed by three similar incidents, including an attempt in the bathroom to put his head in a toilet, and another incident where a boy put John’s head in a noose and pulled it tight for over 40 seconds. Finally, when one of the boys threatened to shoot John, the threat was overheard by a girl who reported this to school authorities. Finally, the police were called and Mr. Wessler, as a prosecutor with the state hate crimes prosecution unit, finally took action. The four boys involved in the harassment were age 12.
Although the conference included the issues of GLBT students, it was also inclusive of other targets of bullying as well, including Islamic and Latino students. Other issues included students with disabilities, and other characteristics such as being overweight.
Reverend Scott Jones of Oklahoma City’s Cathedral of Hope led a panel discussion of religion and the role it played in harassment, and also those who are victimized. Another workshop, conducted by Kathy Middleton with the Oklahoma State Department of Health, demonstrated how bullying could be prevented, and how students and administrators can deal with it.
And intervention can’t come too soon, not only for those bullied, but for all Oklahoma students who have the right to a productive, safe education.
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