Bullies - Jan 14 2023

 

Bullies

Jan 14 2023

There were bullies, back then.

There always are.

But we had no word for them.

It just seemed normal

out on the playground,

the natural order of things

that the strong would rule

the weak cower.

And the teachers

who recessed in the staff room

over coffee and cigarettes,

joking and chatting

and tossing-off catty remarks,

planning their weekend break;

who knew

they were actual regular people

outside of class?

Not neglectful,

just letting boys be boys,

the girls

queen bees and rivals

her loyal followers.

And parents, back then

who did not hover, fuss, interfere.

Who had other important concerns,

like earning a living

fixing the furnace

their own circle of friends;

a time

when it was understood

teachers were respected

kids seen and not heard.

And aside from that

parents deferred to the experts

for whatever went on

behind those institutional walls.

So we fought our fights

learned to survive.

Grew up to be plumbers

middle managers

social activists.

While the bullies

ended up in jail

on probation

doing manual labour.

Or became gun lobbyists

tax lawyers

politicians.

Still playing the system.

Still as belligerent

and insecure.

I don't remember ever hearing this word when we were kids. And don't remember supervised recess either. We were left on our own: learning to negotiate, problem-solve, navigate our social lives. The 60s, at least as I was raised, was certainly not the child-centred universe that seems prevalent these days.