I first became aware of bullying before 1974 when I was a child and the American With Disabilities Act had not been passed. Children with Special Needs were not allowed in the public school system. As we walked to grade school a girl about twelve I guessed with flaming red hair would ride her bike by our school almost every day as we were about to cross at the crosswalk. I knew she was different and know now after a career in Special Education she had Down’s Syndrome. The kids would laugh and point while calling her names as she drove by our school but I never did. I just stood there always feeling sad for her wondering who she was. I knew it was wrong for the kids to make fun of her. The girl obviously wanted to belong and go to school like the other kids.
Why do some kids and adults feel the need to bully others? Maybe bullies do feel shame. Perhaps they feel they don’t belong. Making others feel that shame too makes them feel better about themselves. So much must be lacking in their lives.
Over the years, I’ve always wondered what happened to the girl on the bike with the flaming red hair. Sending angels to her in my mind, hoping she’s found peace helps the memory of her. I hope she’s finding the kindness of others now as an adult. Hopefully the adults who as children taunted her have learned their own lessons of kindness from the angels.