‘I’ve stood around too long’
September 14, 2007 1:22 PM Subscribe
Someone call John Hughes! Two students at Central Kings Rural High School fought back against bullying recently, unleashing a sea of pink after a new student was harassed and threatened when he showed up wearing a pink shirt.
I have nothing to add except my unrestrained glee.
posted by cowbellemoo at 1:29 PM on September 14, 2007 [3 favorites]
posted by cowbellemoo at 1:29 PM on September 14, 2007 [3 favorites]
the youtubes work for me
posted by cowbellemoo at 1:30 PM on September 14, 2007
posted by cowbellemoo at 1:30 PM on September 14, 2007
The YouTube link goes to "Slow Clap", which seems to have nothing to do with pink shirts?
Perhaps this is the first Markov FPP
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 1:35 PM on September 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
Perhaps this is the first Markov FPP
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 1:35 PM on September 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
[begin Richard Butler vocals]
"Isn't he so...pretty in pink?"
[end]
posted by jonp72 at 1:35 PM on September 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
"Isn't he so...pretty in pink?"
[end]
posted by jonp72 at 1:35 PM on September 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
I'm torn. On one hand, I fully support people's right to wear whatever they want, and it's cool when people fight back like this.
On the other hand, a pink shirt? I don't think it has anything to do with being gay or not, I just think it's hideous.
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 1:37 PM on September 14, 2007
On the other hand, a pink shirt? I don't think it has anything to do with being gay or not, I just think it's hideous.
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 1:37 PM on September 14, 2007
Right-on, for those two kids (and the rest of the students who joined-in.)
Not to be a downer, though, but, as I was reading the piece, I was expecting to come across the part where the school had the boys arrested and suspended. Happily, they weren't, apparently.
posted by Thorzdad at 1:38 PM on September 14, 2007
Not to be a downer, though, but, as I was reading the piece, I was expecting to come across the part where the school had the boys arrested and suspended. Happily, they weren't, apparently.
posted by Thorzdad at 1:38 PM on September 14, 2007
I was expecting to come across the part where the school had the boys arrested and suspended. Happily, they weren't, apparently.
That's because it happened in Canada.
posted by felix betachat at 1:40 PM on September 14, 2007 [7 favorites]
That's because it happened in Canada.
posted by felix betachat at 1:40 PM on September 14, 2007 [7 favorites]
Here's the golf clap, to which Blazecock Pileon referred.
posted by Poolio at 1:40 PM on September 14, 2007
posted by Poolio at 1:40 PM on September 14, 2007
Maybe it was a poor choice. The slow clap link was supposed to be another bit of 80's high school fim genre.
posted by Shanachie at 1:41 PM on September 14, 2007
posted by Shanachie at 1:41 PM on September 14, 2007
Canada isn't a place. It is just this world that we created from sitcoms from the 80's.
posted by ND¢ at 1:43 PM on September 14, 2007 [2 favorites]
posted by ND¢ at 1:43 PM on September 14, 2007 [2 favorites]
The only thing gayer than a pink shirt is a pink tank top.
posted by pardonyou? at 1:43 PM on September 14, 2007
posted by pardonyou? at 1:43 PM on September 14, 2007
And then the bullies went home and got beat up by their dads.
posted by billysumday at 1:44 PM on September 14, 2007 [5 favorites]
posted by billysumday at 1:44 PM on September 14, 2007 [5 favorites]
Maybe it was a poor choice. The slow clap link was supposed to be another bit of 80's high school fim genre.
I thought it was a great choice.
I took it as a show of appreciation for what the boys did. Nice warm bit of editorializing.
posted by Thorzdad at 1:44 PM on September 14, 2007
I thought it was a great choice.
I took it as a show of appreciation for what the boys did. Nice warm bit of editorializing.
posted by Thorzdad at 1:44 PM on September 14, 2007
In the middle of my sophomore year of high school, my parents decided to move us from a tony suburb in Connecticut to another slightly less tony but nonetheless snooty suburb in northeastern New Jersey. Two weeks into my stint at my new school, I was starting to routinely get flipped shit by at least a few of the football retards. Before class, in the hallway, at lunch, etc. Apparently, they found my mode of dress objectionable.
This being the 80s, and having grown up in Connecticut, it was pretty much de rigueur to wear button down oxford cloth shirts, which mostly came in light to pastel colors, and jeans or khakis. It was neither a cool thing, nor a dorky thing, nor really a rich thing or a poor thing, it was just one of the things that was considered pretty neutral and mainstream to wear.
Moving to New Jersey at that point, I didn't know this, but I came to learn that if you do wear pink button down oxford cloth shirts, it means you're gay and want to have sex with football players. Apparently. Plus ca change, I guess.
At any rate, long story short, one Thursday morning, first period in biology lab, one of these jerks (a little bigger than I) started again calling me names under his breath and playing to his friends in the calls. I confronted him verbally, and he puffed up his chest to tell me that he would meet me in the parking lot after school and we'd settle the matter then. I told him that was not good enough, that now seemed to me as good a time as any. So, I picked up a lab stool, threw it at him, knocked him off balance, then tackled him, and knees on his chest, punched him in the face several dozen times. Ok, really is was only about 4 or 5 times, but it seemed like a lot.
The (basketball coach) bio teacher apparently walked in just as this was going on, and managed to pull me off of the guy and throw me out in to the hallway. I then went to the principal's office where I was sternly lectured and than given 7 days in-school suspension.
I have to admit that later I felt a little badly for reacting so aggressively as I had never done so before (or since) in my life, but the truth of the matter was that no one ever bothered me again about anything I wore.
To this day though, I'm not sure if the trouble started because of the pink shirt, or because I knew what "de rigueur" meant.
True story.
posted by psmealey at 1:44 PM on September 14, 2007 [20 favorites]
This being the 80s, and having grown up in Connecticut, it was pretty much de rigueur to wear button down oxford cloth shirts, which mostly came in light to pastel colors, and jeans or khakis. It was neither a cool thing, nor a dorky thing, nor really a rich thing or a poor thing, it was just one of the things that was considered pretty neutral and mainstream to wear.
Moving to New Jersey at that point, I didn't know this, but I came to learn that if you do wear pink button down oxford cloth shirts, it means you're gay and want to have sex with football players. Apparently. Plus ca change, I guess.
At any rate, long story short, one Thursday morning, first period in biology lab, one of these jerks (a little bigger than I) started again calling me names under his breath and playing to his friends in the calls. I confronted him verbally, and he puffed up his chest to tell me that he would meet me in the parking lot after school and we'd settle the matter then. I told him that was not good enough, that now seemed to me as good a time as any. So, I picked up a lab stool, threw it at him, knocked him off balance, then tackled him, and knees on his chest, punched him in the face several dozen times. Ok, really is was only about 4 or 5 times, but it seemed like a lot.
The (basketball coach) bio teacher apparently walked in just as this was going on, and managed to pull me off of the guy and throw me out in to the hallway. I then went to the principal's office where I was sternly lectured and than given 7 days in-school suspension.
I have to admit that later I felt a little badly for reacting so aggressively as I had never done so before (or since) in my life, but the truth of the matter was that no one ever bothered me again about anything I wore.
To this day though, I'm not sure if the trouble started because of the pink shirt, or because I knew what "de rigueur" meant.
True story.
posted by psmealey at 1:44 PM on September 14, 2007 [20 favorites]
Since 1975 no other Notre Dame football player has been carried off the field... *wipes tears*
posted by phaedon at 1:44 PM on September 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by phaedon at 1:44 PM on September 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
That's pretty awesome. Good for the guys who planned it and all the people who participated.
posted by arcticwoman at 1:46 PM on September 14, 2007
posted by arcticwoman at 1:46 PM on September 14, 2007
Saw this on Fark, considered posting, couldn't think of any filler links.
Good story.
posted by lazaruslong at 1:49 PM on September 14, 2007
Good story.
posted by lazaruslong at 1:49 PM on September 14, 2007
Since 1975 no other Notre Dame football player has been carried off the field... *wipes tears*
Out of curiosity: did anyone else chant "Roo-dee, roo-dee, roo-dee," when Samwise carried Frodo up the mountain in Lord of the Rings?
posted by billysumday at 1:50 PM on September 14, 2007
Out of curiosity: did anyone else chant "Roo-dee, roo-dee, roo-dee," when Samwise carried Frodo up the mountain in Lord of the Rings?
posted by billysumday at 1:50 PM on September 14, 2007
"The bullies got angry," said Travis. "One guy was throwing chairs (in the cafeteria). We’re glad we got the response we wanted."Jeez, are the students at Central Kings Rural High School all from Central Casting? I have this picture of laugh tracks being piped in through the PA system, and everyone freezing in place when the final bell rings, while the audience applauds and the credits roll.
David said one of the bullies angrily asked him whether he knew pink on a male was a symbol of homosexuality.
He told the bully that didn’t matter to him and shouldn’t to anyone.
***
When the bullied student put on his pink shirt Friday and saw all the other pink in the lobby, "he was all smiles. It was like a big weight had been lifted off is shoulder,"
(snark aside, cool story)
posted by pardonyou? at 1:50 PM on September 14, 2007 [2 favorites]
Seems like it would have been cheaper and easier just to egg the bullies' cars.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 1:50 PM on September 14, 2007
posted by BitterOldPunk at 1:50 PM on September 14, 2007
Especially prescient was the senior's comment that what the wear to school should be the "last thing on their minds". I wish more people looked at high school as the important educational and maturation process that it is instead of a fashion contest.
Granted, I wore the same Metallica T-Shirt for like 2 years back in the day and never really got made fun of for it.
posted by lazaruslong at 1:51 PM on September 14, 2007
Granted, I wore the same Metallica T-Shirt for like 2 years back in the day and never really got made fun of for it.
posted by lazaruslong at 1:51 PM on September 14, 2007
the *students* wear
posted by lazaruslong at 1:52 PM on September 14, 2007
posted by lazaruslong at 1:52 PM on September 14, 2007
I wish more people looked at high school as the important educational and maturation process that it is ...
I read that as "masturbation process." Which, in my case, was probably more accurate.
posted by pardonyou? at 1:53 PM on September 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
I read that as "masturbation process." Which, in my case, was probably more accurate.
posted by pardonyou? at 1:53 PM on September 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
Seems like it would have been cheaper and easier just to egg the bullies' cars.
Huh? That would just egg them on. Having half the school population scorn them is far far more impactful than any act of violence or punishment could ever be.
posted by lastobelus at 1:55 PM on September 14, 2007
Huh? That would just egg them on. Having half the school population scorn them is far far more impactful than any act of violence or punishment could ever be.
posted by lastobelus at 1:55 PM on September 14, 2007
I wore the same Metallica T-Shirt for like 2 years back in the day and never really got made fun of for it
Shut up, Beavis.
posted by psmealey at 1:56 PM on September 14, 2007
Shut up, Beavis.
posted by psmealey at 1:56 PM on September 14, 2007
Huh huh, huh huh....bewbs, Butthead. Bewbs.
posted by lazaruslong at 1:57 PM on September 14, 2007
posted by lazaruslong at 1:57 PM on September 14, 2007
I think it's great that preppy types are standing up for themselves.
posted by jouke at 1:57 PM on September 14, 2007
posted by jouke at 1:57 PM on September 14, 2007
75 tank tops? I wish I could have afforded to spend that kind of money in high school.
posted by blue_beetle at 1:58 PM on September 14, 2007 [3 favorites]
posted by blue_beetle at 1:58 PM on September 14, 2007 [3 favorites]
Jeez, are the students at Central Kings Rural High School all from Central Casting?
WWSSZD? = What would Screech, Slater and Zack have done in this situation?
posted by ericb at 1:58 PM on September 14, 2007
WWSSZD? = What would Screech, Slater and Zack have done in this situation?
posted by ericb at 1:58 PM on September 14, 2007
This is absolutely lovely. Those two boys are going to go far if this is how they always approach life.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 1:59 PM on September 14, 2007
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 1:59 PM on September 14, 2007
I think it's great that preppy types are standing up for themselves.
No, this is a fatal error in the hipster incubation process.
posted by phaedon at 1:59 PM on September 14, 2007 [7 favorites]
No, this is a fatal error in the hipster incubation process.
posted by phaedon at 1:59 PM on September 14, 2007 [7 favorites]
Do these guys look preppy to you? If so, we have different definitions.
posted by ND¢ at 2:06 PM on September 14, 2007
posted by ND¢ at 2:06 PM on September 14, 2007
Do these guys look preppy to you? If so, we have different definitions.
psmealey described "preppy" in his comment above. Now this is preppy.
posted by ericb at 2:10 PM on September 14, 2007
psmealey described "preppy" in his comment above. Now this is preppy.
posted by ericb at 2:10 PM on September 14, 2007
Reminds of a case that happened at my high school, in Canada, where a straight-identified student was harassed so much that he complained to the (now defunct) BC Human Rights Commission.
The commission ruled that "it was irrelevant what his sexual orientation was or that his harassers believed he was homosexual," and IMO, the commission was right.
I'm not sure what the orientation of the new student in the Central Kings Rural High School was, but it doesn't matter. I know people who dropped out of high school because of homophobia directed at them.
But it's not the student's job to make a safe school environment. And as much as the reaction of the Central Kings kids was heartening, it's administrators who should have the primary resourses/will to deal with bullying.
posted by radiocontrolled at 2:13 PM on September 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
The commission ruled that "it was irrelevant what his sexual orientation was or that his harassers believed he was homosexual," and IMO, the commission was right.
I'm not sure what the orientation of the new student in the Central Kings Rural High School was, but it doesn't matter. I know people who dropped out of high school because of homophobia directed at them.
But it's not the student's job to make a safe school environment. And as much as the reaction of the Central Kings kids was heartening, it's administrators who should have the primary resourses/will to deal with bullying.
posted by radiocontrolled at 2:13 PM on September 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
I also have nothing to add but sincere and heartfelt joy over this. Those kids are my new heroes.
posted by shmegegge at 2:19 PM on September 14, 2007
posted by shmegegge at 2:19 PM on September 14, 2007
I love reading things like this, what a great story.
Now I'm like, all smiles. Thanks!
posted by gummi at 2:21 PM on September 14, 2007
Now I'm like, all smiles. Thanks!
posted by gummi at 2:21 PM on September 14, 2007
I was expecting to come across the part where the school had the boys arrested and suspended. Happily, they weren't, apparently.
That's because it happened in Canada.
Totally--they're the America we should have become.
posted by amberglow at 2:24 PM on September 14, 2007
Totally--they're the America we should have become.
Bland food, frigid weather, endless curling, and the mediocre shows that pass for entertainment on the CBC? No thank you.
Just because The Melting Pot comes with sides of Homophobia and Craptacular President A La Mode doesn't mean you have to eat them.
posted by dw at 2:34 PM on September 14, 2007 [5 favorites]
Bland food, frigid weather, endless curling, and the mediocre shows that pass for entertainment on the CBC? No thank you.
Just because The Melting Pot comes with sides of Homophobia and Craptacular President A La Mode doesn't mean you have to eat them.
posted by dw at 2:34 PM on September 14, 2007 [5 favorites]
What dirtynumbangelboy and shmegegge said. I admire the hell out of those kids.
posted by GrammarMoses at 2:36 PM on September 14, 2007
posted by GrammarMoses at 2:36 PM on September 14, 2007
Hell of a statement. I'll point this out next time some GIT OFF MAH LAWN type starts going on about Kids These Days.
posted by dw at 2:40 PM on September 14, 2007
posted by dw at 2:40 PM on September 14, 2007
Bland food?
Susur Lee, Michael Stadtlander, Donna Dooher, Lynn Crawford, Mark McEwan, David Adjee, Rob Feenie and tens of thousands of other chefs--professional and amateur-- across the country would like a word with you.
Frigid weather?
Yeah, some of our country is cold in the fucking winter, you jackass.
Endless curling?
That's somehow worse than the endless war-porn/football/shrieking heads on your TV?
Mediocre shows on CBC?
Okay, you've kind of got me there.
Of course, we've also got socialized healthcare (boo! hiss! what an awful thing to do, having everyone contribute to everyone's health!), lower crime rates--more importantly, lower violent crime rates, liberal culture, real family values (as in, love and caring and looking after your fellow human beings), vibrant and engaging arts, a culture that doesn't sneer at the very idea of being 'intellectual', and a political system that, while it has its faults, has not completely spread its legs for corporate interests.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 2:42 PM on September 14, 2007 [3 favorites]
Susur Lee, Michael Stadtlander, Donna Dooher, Lynn Crawford, Mark McEwan, David Adjee, Rob Feenie and tens of thousands of other chefs--professional and amateur-- across the country would like a word with you.
Frigid weather?
Yeah, some of our country is cold in the fucking winter, you jackass.
Endless curling?
That's somehow worse than the endless war-porn/football/shrieking heads on your TV?
Mediocre shows on CBC?
Okay, you've kind of got me there.
Of course, we've also got socialized healthcare (boo! hiss! what an awful thing to do, having everyone contribute to everyone's health!), lower crime rates--more importantly, lower violent crime rates, liberal culture, real family values (as in, love and caring and looking after your fellow human beings), vibrant and engaging arts, a culture that doesn't sneer at the very idea of being 'intellectual', and a political system that, while it has its faults, has not completely spread its legs for corporate interests.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 2:42 PM on September 14, 2007 [3 favorites]
Jeez, are the students at Central Kings Rural High School all from Central Casting?
Nope, just rural Nova Scotia. My parents used to live just on the other side of the Minas Basin from there, in the comparatively cosmopolitan Annapolis Valley. The part of the county this school's in hasn't got a single town that's much more than a crossroads. Country living, most of it very poor and quite conservative by Canadian standards.
Also, if this corner of Kings County is at all like the rest of Kings County demographically - I'm pretty sure it is, though I've never done much but use it as a shortcut - then it's hardcore Baptist country. Like Footloose-style dancing-is-the-devil's-work Baptist, only with a Nova Scotia accent. And the non-Baptist parts are likely rife with extras from the set of Trailer Park Boys whose tolerance for weirdness is minimal.
All of which I mention just to underscore how much courage it must've taken the kids who organized this thing. Good on 'em.
Cripes, between this and Jessamyn's impending Antigonish visit, it's like a Stan Rogers concert around here today. . .
posted by gompa at 2:43 PM on September 14, 2007
Nope, just rural Nova Scotia. My parents used to live just on the other side of the Minas Basin from there, in the comparatively cosmopolitan Annapolis Valley. The part of the county this school's in hasn't got a single town that's much more than a crossroads. Country living, most of it very poor and quite conservative by Canadian standards.
Also, if this corner of Kings County is at all like the rest of Kings County demographically - I'm pretty sure it is, though I've never done much but use it as a shortcut - then it's hardcore Baptist country. Like Footloose-style dancing-is-the-devil's-work Baptist, only with a Nova Scotia accent. And the non-Baptist parts are likely rife with extras from the set of Trailer Park Boys whose tolerance for weirdness is minimal.
All of which I mention just to underscore how much courage it must've taken the kids who organized this thing. Good on 'em.
Cripes, between this and Jessamyn's impending Antigonish visit, it's like a Stan Rogers concert around here today. . .
posted by gompa at 2:43 PM on September 14, 2007
Ha!Seems like it would have been cheaper and easier just to egg the bullies' cars.Huh? That would just egg them on.
posted by JDHarper at 2:45 PM on September 14, 2007
Yeah, but you only see this kind of thing in America on TV.
posted by Maias at 2:47 PM on September 14, 2007
posted by Maias at 2:47 PM on September 14, 2007
Newsflash: Pink is teh new "skater kool" in Madison, CT. Seriously.
And good for David and Travis. (I was going to say "bully for David and Travis," but, you know...)
posted by ZenMasterThis at 2:51 PM on September 14, 2007
And good for David and Travis. (I was going to say "bully for David and Travis," but, you know...)
posted by ZenMasterThis at 2:51 PM on September 14, 2007
Also, my fellow Canadians, I implore you not to further devolve this thread into a long wheezing defense of Canada's greatness in response to the trolling dw. Dude lives in Seattle and has the gall to criticize someone else's weather. That says it all right there.
posted by gompa at 2:51 PM on September 14, 2007 [3 favorites]
posted by gompa at 2:51 PM on September 14, 2007 [3 favorites]
In related "pink news" --
Prisoners in Pink: Deterrent or Scarlet Mark of Danger?
posted by ericb at 2:52 PM on September 14, 2007
Prisoners in Pink: Deterrent or Scarlet Mark of Danger?
posted by ericb at 2:52 PM on September 14, 2007
Sorry, lastobelus. The "sarcasm" tag doesn't work in Safari.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 2:54 PM on September 14, 2007
posted by BitterOldPunk at 2:54 PM on September 14, 2007
I think there is way too much pink-wearing douchery going on these days, but what those kids did was pretty awesome.
posted by mds35 at 3:04 PM on September 14, 2007
posted by mds35 at 3:04 PM on September 14, 2007
Hey, #1. Can we get a pink treatment for this page? It'd be like we're wearing pink with them. Just a little more douchery here won't hurt.
posted by mds35 at 3:05 PM on September 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by mds35 at 3:05 PM on September 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
gompa is right; this took more than the usual amount of courage. Those kids have my utmost appreciation, even more so that they refused to name the frosh who was picked on.
posted by bonehead at 3:13 PM on September 14, 2007
posted by bonehead at 3:13 PM on September 14, 2007
Great story—thanks for the post!
posted by languagehat at 3:14 PM on September 14, 2007
posted by languagehat at 3:14 PM on September 14, 2007
Snyder: "This is pretty fucking metal. Seriously."
Metal like Rob Halford.
posted by symbioid at 3:28 PM on September 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
Metal like Rob Halford.
posted by symbioid at 3:28 PM on September 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
David said one of the bullies angrily asked him whether he knew pink on a male was a symbol of homosexuality.
And it bet he phrased it just like that. Which, actually now that I think about it, would be pretty funny;
Bully: (raging at the pink shirts) This is simply absurd (throws notebook), I mean, it's as if the other students want to appear effeminate (sweeps lunches from table). Surely this can not be the case (hurls chair into wall) I mean, it's as if they don't understand that pink is a symbol of male homosexuality (flips table over) This entire situation is an affront to my sensibilities.
Bully 2: Quite so.
posted by quin at 3:33 PM on September 14, 2007 [20 favorites]
And it bet he phrased it just like that. Which, actually now that I think about it, would be pretty funny;
Bully: (raging at the pink shirts) This is simply absurd (throws notebook), I mean, it's as if the other students want to appear effeminate (sweeps lunches from table). Surely this can not be the case (hurls chair into wall) I mean, it's as if they don't understand that pink is a symbol of male homosexuality (flips table over) This entire situation is an affront to my sensibilities.
Bully 2: Quite so.
posted by quin at 3:33 PM on September 14, 2007 [20 favorites]
Can't watch the video yet, since I'm at work, but may I suggest for all celebrations and crises, calling forth not John Hughes, but problem-solver and party-starter extraordinare John Waters?
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 3:34 PM on September 14, 2007
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 3:34 PM on September 14, 2007
Clearly the bully is a giant closet case. I hope he works out his issues, or he's going to make a lot of people very unhappy, including himself.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 3:35 PM on September 14, 2007
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 3:35 PM on September 14, 2007
I'll just chime in and attest to Gompa's assessment of rural Nova Scotia. Don't let the fancy Latin name fool you; it can be really, really rough. These kids have balls.
posted by Reggie Digest at 3:50 PM on September 14, 2007
posted by Reggie Digest at 3:50 PM on September 14, 2007
Great story. Good for David and Travis.
posted by oneirodynia at 4:15 PM on September 14, 2007
posted by oneirodynia at 4:15 PM on September 14, 2007
I get so depressed about the human race sometimes, and then I read a story like this. David and Travis, you are going to be some damn fine men.
posted by orange swan at 4:29 PM on September 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by orange swan at 4:29 PM on September 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
School uniforms work.
posted by chuckdarwin at 4:43 PM on September 14, 2007
posted by chuckdarwin at 4:43 PM on September 14, 2007
Yeah, some of our country is cold in the fucking winter, you jackass.
There's that Kids in the Hall routine when Scott Thompson as Buddy was going off on Americans' perceptions of Canada, and says "I love it when Americans come here with skis ... in July."
Years ago my first trip to Canada (Saskatchewan to be specific) was in late June and early July. My friends took me to a big Canada Day picnic and fireworks show, and it was hot and humid, and there were mosquitoes the size of fucking sparrows who proceeded to suck all the blood out of my left leg.
I felt right at home!
Oh, and getting back to David and Travis ... they're awesome. In fact, some of my friends are trying to think of something nice to do for them from afar. I hope other kids follow their example.
posted by chuq at 5:13 PM on September 14, 2007
There's that Kids in the Hall routine when Scott Thompson as Buddy was going off on Americans' perceptions of Canada, and says "I love it when Americans come here with skis ... in July."
Years ago my first trip to Canada (Saskatchewan to be specific) was in late June and early July. My friends took me to a big Canada Day picnic and fireworks show, and it was hot and humid, and there were mosquitoes the size of fucking sparrows who proceeded to suck all the blood out of my left leg.
I felt right at home!
Oh, and getting back to David and Travis ... they're awesome. In fact, some of my friends are trying to think of something nice to do for them from afar. I hope other kids follow their example.
posted by chuq at 5:13 PM on September 14, 2007
"I love it when Americans come here with skis ... in July."
That is funny, but no shit, in my life I have been to Calgary, Alberta twice. Both times were in August and both times it snowed.
posted by psmealey at 5:38 PM on September 14, 2007
That is funny, but no shit, in my life I have been to Calgary, Alberta twice. Both times were in August and both times it snowed.
posted by psmealey at 5:38 PM on September 14, 2007
I regard the last photographic evidence of my preppy past to have been taken in the summer of 1990 in which I can be seen wearing a pink polo shirt. Unlike psmealy's experience, this sort of think was considered perfectly stylish in the northern NJ high school I attended. Thankfully, this was the era before popped collars became trendy, otherwise the embarassment would be too much for me to bear. But what is it about us northeastern preppies that makes us think that pastels are nice looking?
Also, that youtube link was the perfect accessory to the FPP link.
posted by deanc at 5:49 PM on September 14, 2007
But it's not the student's job to make a safe school environment. And as much as the reaction of the Central Kings kids was heartening, it's administrators who should have the primary resourses/will to deal with bullying.
You know, I kind of remember school. You sound like somebody's parent...don't you remember that "school administrators" and teachers can't do shit against bullying? It tends not to happen in front of them, and kids with half a brain tend not to complain to them.
posted by Edgewise at 6:02 PM on September 14, 2007
You know, I kind of remember school. You sound like somebody's parent...don't you remember that "school administrators" and teachers can't do shit against bullying? It tends not to happen in front of them, and kids with half a brain tend not to complain to them.
posted by Edgewise at 6:02 PM on September 14, 2007
I pity the poor son of a bitch who has to show up at school in one of those Brooks Brothers outfits.
posted by small_ruminant at 6:20 PM on September 14, 2007
posted by small_ruminant at 6:20 PM on September 14, 2007
You sound like somebody's parent...don't you remember that "school administrators" and teachers can't do shit against bullying?
Amen, brother. Not to put too fine a point on it, but that is exactly what I was trying to relate when I posted my own somewhat similar story above. I was trying to present it in a tongue-in-cheek and humorous fashion, but I still remember the terror, pain and humiliation like it was yesterday. As I was new in the school I didn't have friends, and I felt like I couldn't go to anyone, not my parents, not to school administrators (which I still believe would have made matters worse).
When the moment presented itself, I felt like I had to take a stand, fucking DO something at risk of expulsion or even arrest, but I could not tolerate any longer what the situation had become. Fortunately, and very much to my surprise, I kicked the guy's ass, and I got a slap on the wrist for it, but it could easily have gone the other way.
I admire what these kids up north did, and I'm a little jealous that I didn't have similar support in my situation. But, I'm still glad things worked out for me the way they did.
posted by psmealey at 6:24 PM on September 14, 2007
Amen, brother. Not to put too fine a point on it, but that is exactly what I was trying to relate when I posted my own somewhat similar story above. I was trying to present it in a tongue-in-cheek and humorous fashion, but I still remember the terror, pain and humiliation like it was yesterday. As I was new in the school I didn't have friends, and I felt like I couldn't go to anyone, not my parents, not to school administrators (which I still believe would have made matters worse).
When the moment presented itself, I felt like I had to take a stand, fucking DO something at risk of expulsion or even arrest, but I could not tolerate any longer what the situation had become. Fortunately, and very much to my surprise, I kicked the guy's ass, and I got a slap on the wrist for it, but it could easily have gone the other way.
I admire what these kids up north did, and I'm a little jealous that I didn't have similar support in my situation. But, I'm still glad things worked out for me the way they did.
posted by psmealey at 6:24 PM on September 14, 2007
Please let it be this shirt that started the ruckus.
(Because then the joke's on everybody.)
posted by pokermonk at 6:29 PM on September 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
(Because then the joke's on everybody.)
posted by pokermonk at 6:29 PM on September 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
Good for all those guys standing up to bullies. This is very cool.
When I was a kid, I used to do puppet shows for birthday parties. It was silly fun for me, but my parents were charging people for me to show up, right? So we started actually making money, and they had to formally make me a company with a name and everything so we were legit. So we decided to call it "Rainbow Puppets." The shirt was blue though. I had a cool blue shirt with the words "Rainbow Puppets" in big gaudy letters. Loved that shirt. Got blood on that shirt. Somewhere in that crowd that gathered to watch bullies beat me up, there were closet gays who, thanks to me, knew which people in junior high to avoid. To the entire homosexual community of the world: you're welcome.
posted by ZachsMind at 6:31 PM on September 14, 2007
When I was a kid, I used to do puppet shows for birthday parties. It was silly fun for me, but my parents were charging people for me to show up, right? So we started actually making money, and they had to formally make me a company with a name and everything so we were legit. So we decided to call it "Rainbow Puppets." The shirt was blue though. I had a cool blue shirt with the words "Rainbow Puppets" in big gaudy letters. Loved that shirt. Got blood on that shirt. Somewhere in that crowd that gathered to watch bullies beat me up, there were closet gays who, thanks to me, knew which people in junior high to avoid. To the entire homosexual community of the world: you're welcome.
posted by ZachsMind at 6:31 PM on September 14, 2007
Actually, there is a lot that parents, administrators and teachers can do about bullying. In the worst schools, a tone is set in which the teachers, admins, etc. tacitly approve of hazing and bullying-- and sometimes actually join in. Not always explicitly, but there is a sense that the adults think the bullies are cool and the "losers" deserve to be beaten. There is no respite from the rejection.
They look the other way and set up a climate, basically. Every high school in which there was a school shooting which has been studied has turned out to have this kind of atmosphere. These are often schools at which athletic performance is seen as the pinnacle of success.
Alternatively, there are schools that work explicitly to create community and send a message that bullying will not be tolerated. This doesn't eliminate it, of course-- but it does give kids a "safe haven" so that they know the whole atmosphere won't be relentlessly oppressive. And often, that sense of breathing room makes the unbearable at least bearable.
posted by Maias at 6:41 PM on September 14, 2007 [2 favorites]
They look the other way and set up a climate, basically. Every high school in which there was a school shooting which has been studied has turned out to have this kind of atmosphere. These are often schools at which athletic performance is seen as the pinnacle of success.
Alternatively, there are schools that work explicitly to create community and send a message that bullying will not be tolerated. This doesn't eliminate it, of course-- but it does give kids a "safe haven" so that they know the whole atmosphere won't be relentlessly oppressive. And often, that sense of breathing room makes the unbearable at least bearable.
posted by Maias at 6:41 PM on September 14, 2007 [2 favorites]
The "big man on campus" - you know the guy, not exactly athletic but is rich enough to hang with the jocks, does all kinds of "school spirit" stuff but picks on people, used to throw fruit at me and my high school pals. Luckily, his mommy cut it into little pieces for him, so it was more of a nuisance than anything.
One day, though, he started picking on Joe, the stutter. Now, Joe couldn't get more than two words of his own thoughts out without a hiccup, but he could read Shakespeare like you wouldn't believe. But Big Man had to start giving Joe a lot of trouble. After the third time hearing "what's wrong with you, can't talk right?" I went up to the Big Man, (who was, admittedly, about four inches taller and 50 pounds heavier than myself,) and told him that he was not to say one word, nice or mean, to Joe for the rest of their lives. If he did, I went into great detail how I would emotionally, mentally, and physically destroy the Big Man, and send him back to his mommy in enough ziploc bags to clear an entire Target of its stock. I'm still unsure where, exactly, this rage and tirade came from.
For the rest of senior year, when he saw either of us in the hall, the Big Man would get the hell out of our way. It was kinda nice.
(nowadays, of course, I've have been sent to counselling)
posted by notsnot at 7:29 PM on September 14, 2007
One day, though, he started picking on Joe, the stutter. Now, Joe couldn't get more than two words of his own thoughts out without a hiccup, but he could read Shakespeare like you wouldn't believe. But Big Man had to start giving Joe a lot of trouble. After the third time hearing "what's wrong with you, can't talk right?" I went up to the Big Man, (who was, admittedly, about four inches taller and 50 pounds heavier than myself,) and told him that he was not to say one word, nice or mean, to Joe for the rest of their lives. If he did, I went into great detail how I would emotionally, mentally, and physically destroy the Big Man, and send him back to his mommy in enough ziploc bags to clear an entire Target of its stock. I'm still unsure where, exactly, this rage and tirade came from.
For the rest of senior year, when he saw either of us in the hall, the Big Man would get the hell out of our way. It was kinda nice.
(nowadays, of course, I've have been sent to counselling)
posted by notsnot at 7:29 PM on September 14, 2007
I'm pretty sure that's the school my uncle was principal of before he retired.
Damn, Nova Scotia is small.
Cool story.
posted by joannemerriam at 7:40 PM on September 14, 2007
Damn, Nova Scotia is small.
Cool story.
posted by joannemerriam at 7:40 PM on September 14, 2007
If you have a good time in high school, you have a shitty life. And as it turns out, vice versa.
In the end, the only thing I remember about high school is it sucks, and I quit, and (eventually) went to Berkeley.
Believe me, at this point, high school is about as memorable as a fart.
posted by humannaire at 7:45 PM on September 14, 2007
In the end, the only thing I remember about high school is it sucks, and I quit, and (eventually) went to Berkeley.
Believe me, at this point, high school is about as memorable as a fart.
posted by humannaire at 7:45 PM on September 14, 2007
I didn't have a good time in high school, and I'm not having all that great a time now, so your theory, HumanNaire, is moot in my reality. Back to the drawing board with ya, I say.
posted by ZachsMind at 7:49 PM on September 14, 2007
posted by ZachsMind at 7:49 PM on September 14, 2007
Nova Scotia isn't so much small as under populated. And any population that is there is in Halifax.
Still, a cool story.
posted by SpannerX at 7:59 PM on September 14, 2007
Still, a cool story.
posted by SpannerX at 7:59 PM on September 14, 2007
To share a similar story I heard: I was friends with this short bisexual emo (real emo, not the weak Hot Topic kind or what have you) guy in high school, a real nice kid. The other character is the biggest asshole jock in the school. There weren't really actual beatings going on in this place - the most that went on was overly macho guys would meet at an agreed upon place for a big hyped up "fight" that really amounted to nothing. But this asshole kid would pick on everybody and so on. At this point it's pretty well known about my friends bisexual emo nature and this kid is ragging on him a lot. So one day, with no one else around, the kid is calling my friend a faggot and so on. My friend just went and kissed him full on the lips, and apparently the asshole just left and never ever said another word to my friend. My friend took it as an example of his theory that people who are ragging on the gays might just be afraid of their own homosexual feelings.
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 8:15 PM on September 14, 2007
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 8:15 PM on September 14, 2007
TheOnlyCoolTim:
Now that's hawt!
(or, a Republican congressman is born...)
posted by maryh at 8:24 PM on September 14, 2007
Now that's hawt!
(or, a Republican congressman is born...)
posted by maryh at 8:24 PM on September 14, 2007
My friend took it as an example of his theory that people who are ragging on the gays might just be afraid of their own homosexual feelings.
HE WHO DOETH PROTEST TOO MUCH -- Roy Cohn, Larry Craig, Terry Dolan, David Dreier, James Guckert (aka Jeff Gannon), Arthur J. Finkelstein, Mark Foley, Ken Mehlman, Matt Sanchez and Armstrong Williams -- and that's just the short-list.
posted by ericb at 8:26 PM on September 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
HE WHO DOETH PROTEST TOO MUCH -- Roy Cohn, Larry Craig, Terry Dolan, David Dreier, James Guckert (aka Jeff Gannon), Arthur J. Finkelstein, Mark Foley, Ken Mehlman, Matt Sanchez and Armstrong Williams -- and that's just the short-list.
posted by ericb at 8:26 PM on September 14, 2007 [1 favorite]
I liked this part best from the article: David said one of the bullies angrily asked him whether he knew pink on a male was a symbol of homosexuality.
He told the bully that didn’t matter to him and shouldn’t to anyone.
What a great story. This must have made an absolute world of difference to the kid who had originally been bullied. I agree that to prevent/reduce bullying, an atmosphere has to be created in the school that says, "This shit will not be tolerated," and in this case it was done by 400 students, all wearing pink. Awesome.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 9:29 PM on September 14, 2007
He told the bully that didn’t matter to him and shouldn’t to anyone.
What a great story. This must have made an absolute world of difference to the kid who had originally been bullied. I agree that to prevent/reduce bullying, an atmosphere has to be created in the school that says, "This shit will not be tolerated," and in this case it was done by 400 students, all wearing pink. Awesome.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 9:29 PM on September 14, 2007
Both times were in August and both times it snowed.
That's because Canada knew you were coming. Heh.
posted by bwg at 4:37 AM on September 15, 2007
That's because Canada knew you were coming. Heh.
posted by bwg at 4:37 AM on September 15, 2007
If you have a good time in high school, you have a shitty life.
You sound like someone who feels cheated by their high school experience and now wants to wear the memory like some kind of merit badge. People who say that type of thing also say shit like "Guys who drive Porsches have little dicks." Just makes you sound like a hater.
posted by autodidact at 10:36 AM on September 15, 2007
You sound like someone who feels cheated by their high school experience and now wants to wear the memory like some kind of merit badge. People who say that type of thing also say shit like "Guys who drive Porsches have little dicks." Just makes you sound like a hater.
posted by autodidact at 10:36 AM on September 15, 2007
Awesome story, cool post. Looks like one of our own has some serious competition up north.
posted by allkindsoftime at 10:44 AM on September 15, 2007
posted by allkindsoftime at 10:44 AM on September 15, 2007
Looks like one of our own has some serious competition up north. Haaaaaaa.
If you have a good time in high school, you have a shitty life. And as it turns out, vice versa.
Here's the truth: If you stake your entire life on what happened back when you were a child, you may never grow up. Whether it was good or bad or whatever is irrelevant.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 1:17 PM on September 15, 2007 [2 favorites]
If you have a good time in high school, you have a shitty life. And as it turns out, vice versa.
Here's the truth: If you stake your entire life on what happened back when you were a child, you may never grow up. Whether it was good or bad or whatever is irrelevant.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 1:17 PM on September 15, 2007 [2 favorites]
The most impressive part to me about the article (and there's quite a lot of celebreate) is that at a school of 830 students, the paper couldn't find anyone who would give up the name of the original kid who was bullied.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 1:50 PM on September 15, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 1:50 PM on September 15, 2007 [1 favorite]
School uniforms work
So do prisons. Oh wait a minute, they don't ... wait another minute, what did we want to do again?
They should just make all the kids go naked. Then the only bullying would be based on size and attractiveness of genitalia. Ah, what a wonderful world that would be.
posted by mrgrimm at 6:02 PM on September 15, 2007
So do prisons. Oh wait a minute, they don't ... wait another minute, what did we want to do again?
They should just make all the kids go naked. Then the only bullying would be based on size and attractiveness of genitalia. Ah, what a wonderful world that would be.
posted by mrgrimm at 6:02 PM on September 15, 2007
That gives me hope. It is so hard when you are a kid and need ( even when you say you don't )to fit in-to stand up for what is right and protect somehow, those who can't protect themselves.
I was bullied badly at school and the thought of anything like that happening to my daughter makes me sick to my stomach. I'll come down like old testament wrath upon the school if it does though, something I never had.
Good for these boys. No, brilliant for these boys.
posted by pywacket at 8:06 PM on September 15, 2007
I was bullied badly at school and the thought of anything like that happening to my daughter makes me sick to my stomach. I'll come down like old testament wrath upon the school if it does though, something I never had.
Good for these boys. No, brilliant for these boys.
posted by pywacket at 8:06 PM on September 15, 2007
Also, my fellow Canadians, I implore you not to further devolve this thread into a long wheezing defense of Canada's greatness in response to the trolling dw. Dude lives in Seattle and has the gall to criticize someone else's weather. That says it all right there.
I mock because I love.
posted by dw at 11:50 PM on September 15, 2007
I mock because I love.
posted by dw at 11:50 PM on September 15, 2007
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