Class act

I was taught early in life (by my father of course, I didn't learn much in school), that we are here to provide and protect those who are weaker than us and challenge the stronger who may want to prey. The natural instinct of the powerful is to take advantage of the weak; after all, the first class cabin in the plane is a subtle reminder to those in the economy that even within the same environment, there is class distinction.

Couched in subjective definition are our characters and traits depending sometimes on our perspectives. Let's start from the elementary; bullying is a major part of the school curriculum activities here in the United States. It has become so etched in the system that some states make budgetary provision for it's eradication or reduction-whichever comes first. Sadly, this act of the perceived stronger lording it over the weaker using threats, coercion and intimidation in schools is a stark reflection of the realities in the bigger society.  

The causes are as rampant as the bullies themselves and they are easily set off by inane issues like colour of your skin, superior intelligence  (you must be dumb, inferior or both to be a bully anyway) differences of social class, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, appearance, behavior, body language, personality, reputation, lineage, strength, size, or ability. The truth is that. in the absence of intellectual engagement, violence ensues. To complete the bullish cycle, there must be the bystanders who watch hopelessly as the bully rolls their victims.

In the comity of Nations, there are bullish nations that profit immensely from weaker nations.So,the United Nations assembled  some 193 willing countries that is ironically set up to promote international cooperation and maintain international peace to fit in as a bystander . And overseeing the highest level of administration are the five most industrialized nations who together are granted the special status of Permanent Member States at the Security Council, along with a special voting power known as the "right to veto" or “bully” on any substantive resolution.

Interestingly and under the pretext of humanitarian activities, the same permanent member countries that are at the security council are also the most indebted nations of the world, on papers! Though in reality, the chasm between extreme affluence of the first countries and the abject poverty of the third world is engulfing. And that is why migration seems to be one way. Again, it is bullying up by a notch up but using different strategies.

From Machaivellism to narcissm to psychopathy to religion, no strategy is spared when it comes to the stronger nations interfering with the internal workings of the weaker countries to gain advantage. It is worth noting that none of the  nations that introduced us to their religions- Christianity and Islam- believed nor practiced it with the same piety as us any longer. It is bullying.

Though,some have argued that bullying can teach life lessons and instill strength in the victims. Helene Guldberg, a child development academic, sparked controversy when she argued that being a target of bullying can teach a child "how to manage disputes and boost their ability to interact with others", and that teachers should not intervene, but leave children to respond. Whether this is achievable at a higher level remains largely debateable.

And so while the weaker nations pray for better future, the bullying nations continue to prey by simply working to improve on the future we are someday hoping to achieve.This is ….I don't know!