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The nonviolent things people use to hurt others
Rumors & Gossip
Not generally considered violence, these tactics can be extremely harmful. The emotional scars often last a lifetime. Why people seem to take pleasure in being cruel to others is mystifying - but it is never more prevalent than in high school. Maybe it is because everyone is in such tight social surroundings in high school, that there appears an increased need to display dominance in the form of popularity. Some people see only one way to achieve popularity - do something, say something, to make you seem better than others. If a really juicy piece of gossip comes to one person they may spread it around, not to be malicious, but as a fast track ticket to popularity. The fact that somebody gets hurt in the process may never cross their minds. Then there are the people who are mean just for meanness sake. These people are usually already popular, so what is their motive? Simple, to keep the crown. Sometimes you can get so wrapped up in your popularity that all you see is what life is like with out it - and in a fear response, you do whatever it takes, say what you have to, to keep somebody "below" you.
In my case, I was warned that this person was gonna ruin my life! He even e-mailed other ppl in my family and told them, warned them, he was gonna ruin my life. "Emotional Blackmail", the killer of dreams! They go away for awhile, then, somehow, they come back with a vengeance. Usually more outlandish than the last rumor. I don't know why really, maybe he needs the attention, maybe it makes him feel big, or maybe it makes him feel he has more friends...either way...he has tried to destroy my life.
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His ticket to fame and Popularity
Although some types of gossip may help a persons reputation, which in his case I'm sure it did, the overwhelming majority of the "shock talk" people indulge in is harmful and mean spirited. To add to the sinister nature of this tactic, it is most often done behind the target's back. Of course he would never tell these things to my face. He is a chicken shit. And to make it worse, when he is confronted with it, he lies about it. He is very manipulating and caniving. The boy has told so many lies, (and folks not only about me...I went with him for several months so believe me, I've heard some pretty tall tales, lots of them about many of you....) I don't think he knows the difference between fact and fiction! He lives in a world created by him....I never could understand how many of you believed the shit this boy has spread....but many of you have....maybe because you are glad it is not you. I have people tell me things he has said to them about me....then when I need them to step forward, to confront him with what he has done, you back down, you cower like a whipped pup! I think many of you are scared of him....afraid it may be you next time and not me!
Rumors, gossip, and Little White Lies
Gossip gets carried away because talking about other people's crazy, made-up lives is sometimes more fun than talking about reality. But the thing is that it isn't real and it makes people's lives miserable. And once gossip starts there's no stopping it. Gossip and rumors will grow and grow until everybody is talking about everybody else and no one is safe. Maybe one reason ppl have given this gossip monger the time of day...think about it....why? It's just a matter of time before each of you possibly could be on the other end of his tall tales.
Real life is crazy enough without having people make stuff up about you, and vice-versa. There has to be a better way for people to socialize without making up lies. Is my life that much more interesting than your own? And another thing, jees I'm 13 years old, do you reeeeeeeeally think I could do all these things. It sounds like some of the stuff he has watched on his Porno movies.
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