Where does the mistreatment of others, either physical or mental, start?
1. Children learn from their parents and family; 2. from their fellow students; 3. from the faculty and school administration; 4. from legislators (especially now with all the book banning and revision of curricula); and 5. from law enforcement, who now are just about the only ones reprimanded in any form.
Most people on this list only suffer what amounts to a slap on the wrist when caught, which is no punishment at all, so they just continue their behavior.
Punishment is only part of the cure. Bullies pick on others because they’re different and it’s so easy. People need to be educated about their views, the whys and wherefores, and learn why such hateful rhetoric is not only wrong, but very misguided and totally misinformed. So what if something makes you uneasy? If you learn why, you become more enlightened and that’s a good thing.
Stephanie Richardson, Park City
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