Re: The Three Golliwogs
Posted: 04 Sep 2007, 01:14
I was just about to make another post when I read several more that had appeared and it made me aware there is much bitterness being nursed and the teacher-response quoted in one message is shocking. I can also see that I’ve been considerably misunderstood in many instances mainly because of members’ haste to paste up reactions. (A cool head is always wiser).
Many thanks to you all for your stimulating contributions because that’s what notice-boards are all about. I can’t answer all of the comments because some were difficult to follow due to the feelings interspersed with the words and I hope that “Julian” is mature enough to catch on to the fact that I would never insult him because I don’t like to do that at all. Sometimes people interpret Plain Speaking in an insulting kind of way. It’s almost as if they were dying to find someone whom they can pounce upon and ….…… insult?? I think I’ve given them a good opportunity and it can be very therapeutic to Get It All Out Of The System!
I also suspect a few remarks may have come from rather young people but that’s only a guess.
I will post my original and unaltered message and you will see at the end why I can’t go on further although I would like to because every entry deserves a reply (note the paragraphs).
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[Anita Bensoussane]: “I don't know anything about paragraphs in Arabic and I can't read or write the language, but it doesn't have hieroglyphics!”
It’s all “hieroglyphics” to me but then English is probably “hieroglyphics” to foreigners. I guess the “Semitic” word you used is a derivative of “Semite” and I believe they were around in biblical times but I was never too hot on history (Moonraker could supply any information needed). I’ve seen Arabic script and you’re right, it’s a nice-looking pattern but that’s about all it is to me and would still be after six university courses on how to read and print it. I have respect for people of that persuasion who go to the trouble to learn English so that we can understand what they have to say. English speakers are rather lazy as far as learning languages goes but I think that’s probably because English is so wide-spread and we don‘t have to bother. Just a day or so ago I saw that one contributor to this board said he or she knew French and English and maybe another language besides the native one. That’s wonderful.
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[Anita Bensoussane]: “I don't think it's as simple as that at all.”
Point noted, and that’s why the problem needs No.1 priority in the education system. The victims who have had the mark of bullying left on them and the “shattering of confidence and self esteem” were not taught how to handle it from the start.
As far as “systematic verbal bullying” goes a bully will gravitate towards those who are susceptible. “Physical” bullying is an extension of the problem but it shouldn’t have to come to that if children are instructed at an early age with a little basic (very basic) psychology. Like every other child in this world I wasn’t taught anything positive about how to confront a bullying situation and when, in my teens, I was attacked at school by a bigger boy I had to resort to the physical method of defence. Fortunately, being an exponent of wrestling and judo, I was able to get my assailant down on the ground and apply a hold which left him helpless. He attacked me again and I repeated the procedure. He then ran off with a parting remark: “I’ll get you another time!” We became good friends after that for reasons that don’t need much exploration. Looking back on it I know exactly how it could have been avoided but no teacher had imparted the simple modus operandi to me.
Most times bullies aren’t noticed and taken aside before the damage is done but if they are discovered then naturally they can be “put on the right path” as it were. It’s probably a matter of whether you want the ambulance at the top or at the bottom of the cliff - and now we are completely “Off Topic” so the Moderators had better do something “Fast!!” Incidentally, congratulations on becoming a Moderator. That “Global Moderator” tag looks very distinguishing and it has an atmosphere about it. The picture I get is of an Angel above the World spreading her arms out to “Moderate” although I’m not all that clear on what the work entails apart from making sure the message board is orderly.
Many thanks to you all for your stimulating contributions because that’s what notice-boards are all about. I can’t answer all of the comments because some were difficult to follow due to the feelings interspersed with the words and I hope that “Julian” is mature enough to catch on to the fact that I would never insult him because I don’t like to do that at all. Sometimes people interpret Plain Speaking in an insulting kind of way. It’s almost as if they were dying to find someone whom they can pounce upon and ….…… insult?? I think I’ve given them a good opportunity and it can be very therapeutic to Get It All Out Of The System!
I also suspect a few remarks may have come from rather young people but that’s only a guess.
I will post my original and unaltered message and you will see at the end why I can’t go on further although I would like to because every entry deserves a reply (note the paragraphs).
*****************************************************************
[Anita Bensoussane]: “I don't know anything about paragraphs in Arabic and I can't read or write the language, but it doesn't have hieroglyphics!”
It’s all “hieroglyphics” to me but then English is probably “hieroglyphics” to foreigners. I guess the “Semitic” word you used is a derivative of “Semite” and I believe they were around in biblical times but I was never too hot on history (Moonraker could supply any information needed). I’ve seen Arabic script and you’re right, it’s a nice-looking pattern but that’s about all it is to me and would still be after six university courses on how to read and print it. I have respect for people of that persuasion who go to the trouble to learn English so that we can understand what they have to say. English speakers are rather lazy as far as learning languages goes but I think that’s probably because English is so wide-spread and we don‘t have to bother. Just a day or so ago I saw that one contributor to this board said he or she knew French and English and maybe another language besides the native one. That’s wonderful.
**************************************************************
[Anita Bensoussane]: “I don't think it's as simple as that at all.”
Point noted, and that’s why the problem needs No.1 priority in the education system. The victims who have had the mark of bullying left on them and the “shattering of confidence and self esteem” were not taught how to handle it from the start.
As far as “systematic verbal bullying” goes a bully will gravitate towards those who are susceptible. “Physical” bullying is an extension of the problem but it shouldn’t have to come to that if children are instructed at an early age with a little basic (very basic) psychology. Like every other child in this world I wasn’t taught anything positive about how to confront a bullying situation and when, in my teens, I was attacked at school by a bigger boy I had to resort to the physical method of defence. Fortunately, being an exponent of wrestling and judo, I was able to get my assailant down on the ground and apply a hold which left him helpless. He attacked me again and I repeated the procedure. He then ran off with a parting remark: “I’ll get you another time!” We became good friends after that for reasons that don’t need much exploration. Looking back on it I know exactly how it could have been avoided but no teacher had imparted the simple modus operandi to me.
Most times bullies aren’t noticed and taken aside before the damage is done but if they are discovered then naturally they can be “put on the right path” as it were. It’s probably a matter of whether you want the ambulance at the top or at the bottom of the cliff - and now we are completely “Off Topic” so the Moderators had better do something “Fast!!” Incidentally, congratulations on becoming a Moderator. That “Global Moderator” tag looks very distinguishing and it has an atmosphere about it. The picture I get is of an Angel above the World spreading her arms out to “Moderate” although I’m not all that clear on what the work entails apart from making sure the message board is orderly.