About a month ago, my daughter Ann saw a 10th grader named Angie trying to get a 7th grader to smoke pot, right here in San Ramon. Being the moral child that she is, one with a strong value around protecting innocence, she intervened. I was proud- here was a girl making a positive difference in the world!
Little did we know the nightmares awaiting us from that single act.
Ann went about her business, but the other girl became fixed on a new enemy. Angelica started bullying her. Angie threatened her with violence and told her that she wasn't allowed to go to the local parks to play. She and her friends began spreading rumors about Ann, stole things from her at school (shoes, money, headphones).
As a parent, I tried everything I could to end it. I spoke with Angie's mother- who was completely useless in solving anything. I coached Ann to avoid all these kids and not speak to them, not have eye contact- just to protect herself. I spoke with the school on several occasions about the bullying, especially as the threats of violence continued. No action was taken by the school no matter what this girl and her friend Malana did to Ann.
Ann is not alone. Bullying and threats of violence are in every school and could affect any child. The effect of it is damaging. These kids don't feel safe. They don't want to go to school. The grades fall as the stress effects the ability to concentrate.
48 states have laws against bullying. Having laws and enforcing them are two different things. It is not just one or two crazy kids that make this happen either. It is well-documented that bullying usually happens with one or two aggressors and a whole bunch of bystanders who watch.
Fast forward to today. Ann is walking home from school and is attacked. Pushed to the ground and punched- right here in San Ramon. A group of kids surrounded her, taking video and watching the assault. No one stopped it.
My 15 year old girl- who is sweet and introverted and gentle- was beaten. While her peers watched. When dozens of kids had talked about the fight all day, unbeknownst to Ann.
Bullying must stop. And in order to make it stop, we the community must get involved.
Please stand with me. Call the school. Call the police department. Make your voice heard that this community does not allow bullying.
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