October 1, 2013
Recently discovered one of the neighborhood High Schools had a group of teens involved in hazing. A friend's son went to the party, not realizing what was going on in the crowd. Horrible behavior, bullying the Freshman, humiliating acts that encouraged bystanders to be included. How to teach the youth that, if they are in the group, they are a part of the problem. Not stepping in, at least talking about it in their own club, they are guilty by association. If no one has the courage to disrupt the pattern, it will perpetuate the poor judgment and lead others astray. The Principal sent out an all-encompassing email to the parents to let them know of the party and hazing activities. It is a community issue and needs a community effort to address underlying fault.
I discussed this situation with several friends. We talked about peer pressure, how most people do not have the courage to step up and speak to the consequence. Not many have the chance to experience being leaders, especially successful ones. Most slide along behind or group like sheep in the middle, fearing the front of the line. So exposed, a vulnerable place for the majority. The ones lagging behind cannot fault the leaders since they do not share the same air nor the risk.
How to redirect a challenging circumstance that effects so many. What will it take to change the way people deal with conflict and uncertainty, be brave and speak up. The youth are like a herd of wild animals, skiddish and suspecting. We need to find the voice, the grace, example, share our stories to help them to see how being the 100th monkey can alter their world. Change the consciousness to include people versus scare them into submission.
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