Zero Tolerance for Bullying

Let's keep it simple when it comes to the bullying of students at school. It's wrong. It's dangerous. And it must be confronted aggressively.

Whether another state, or even federal, law would really make much of a difference in stopping school bullies from tormenting their victims is an open question. What's clearly needed, however, inside each school are principals, teachers, staff and parents who make it absolutely clear that they won't tolerate bullying for any reason.

Working together, the adults in charge need to create a culture where it's not the victims but the bullies who are singled out, put on notice and removed if problems persist.

That's not an easy task, of course. Bullies have been around for a long time, and no realistic amount of vigilance will stop them altogether. But schools — and the community at large — can resolve to create safe places for children where appearance, ethnic or racial background, religion, disabilities or sexual orientation isn't treated as fodder for caustic comments and physical violence.

A federal lawsuit filed by the mother of a young victim has focused fresh attention on bullying at schools.

Jamarcus Bell was a 14-year-old freshman at Hamilton Southeastern High School in Indianapolis when he committed suicide in October of last year. According to the lawsuit, Jamarcus was the target of frequent bullying and harassment at the school. The suit contends that administrators knew or should have known about the bullying, but didn't take sufficient steps to stop it.

Let's leave it to the courts to decide the merits of that particular case. But let's also acknowledge that no child should have to suffer the insults and physical intimidation that Jamarcus apparently suffered.

A clear rule needs to be set and enforced for every school, sports team or community organization where children interact: No bullying of any kind or for any reason will be tolerated.

REPRINTED FROM THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR

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