Victim, Oppressor, Bystander
English I
1/25/11
By: Daniel Aragon Most of our experiences that make us who we are today are the ones that shape our lives together and make us realize who we really are. There are different categories people can be seen as: victim, oppressor, and bystander. Although each can have negative results, being a bystander demolishes, strikes, and demoralizes. Bystanders are very different from either victims or oppressors mainly because they make a decision to stay on the outside of the situation. Whereas victims and bullies are directly involved, bystanders think that avoiding the conflict altogether is either the right move or the best thing for them personally. Although they may ponder on the idea that they are not involved in it, they are wrong it affects everyone around them and demolishes relationships as well as trust and integrity. Research on bullying has often concluded that it occurs most frequently in the presence of bystanders who chose to simply watch the events take place. By being there, you may give oppressors more of an encouragement to embarrass and threaten their victims because they will have an audience. Unfortunately, many people believe that being a bystander is the best option to take. There are many reasons for this. Some may believe that the bullying scenario is “none of their business,” and therefore they choose not to take sides because it seems too nosy. Others may feel that stepping in will make them the new target for the bully, making it seem as though intervening would only make things worse. There is also a fear that intervening in a bullying situation by telling a teacher or a counselor will give them the unwanted blame of being a "tattletale." Bystanders need to realize that bullying is a serious problem, and the lack of action on their part will only give bullies more opportunities to torment their victims. By being in a bystander situation, bystanders need to put themselves in the victim’s shoes. Bullying can
1/25/11
By: Daniel Aragon Most of our experiences that make us who we are today are the ones that shape our lives together and make us realize who we really are. There are different categories people can be seen as: victim, oppressor, and bystander. Although each can have negative results, being a bystander demolishes, strikes, and demoralizes. Bystanders are very different from either victims or oppressors mainly because they make a decision to stay on the outside of the situation. Whereas victims and bullies are directly involved, bystanders think that avoiding the conflict altogether is either the right move or the best thing for them personally. Although they may ponder on the idea that they are not involved in it, they are wrong it affects everyone around them and demolishes relationships as well as trust and integrity. Research on bullying has often concluded that it occurs most frequently in the presence of bystanders who chose to simply watch the events take place. By being there, you may give oppressors more of an encouragement to embarrass and threaten their victims because they will have an audience. Unfortunately, many people believe that being a bystander is the best option to take. There are many reasons for this. Some may believe that the bullying scenario is “none of their business,” and therefore they choose not to take sides because it seems too nosy. Others may feel that stepping in will make them the new target for the bully, making it seem as though intervening would only make things worse. There is also a fear that intervening in a bullying situation by telling a teacher or a counselor will give them the unwanted blame of being a "tattletale." Bystanders need to realize that bullying is a serious problem, and the lack of action on their part will only give bullies more opportunities to torment their victims. By being in a bystander situation, bystanders need to put themselves in the victim’s shoes. Bullying can