{"id":5010,"date":"2012-08-23T22:06:12","date_gmt":"2012-08-23T20:06:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/zaparents-blog\/?p=5010"},"modified":"2022-06-08T21:16:58","modified_gmt":"2022-06-08T19:16:58","slug":"review-of-bully-a-documentary-on-peer-to-peer-bullying-in-schools-across-america","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/lifestyle\/movie-reviews\/review-of-bully-a-documentary-on-peer-to-peer-bullying-in-schools-across-america\/","title":{"rendered":"Review of BULLY: A documentary on peer-to-peer bullying in schools across America"},"content":{"rendered":"

The film starts on a tight shot of a man’s face. His eyes look red and\u00a0watery. He’s talking about his son as a quiet, different kid, one who\u00a0had a target on his back from the start. A kid who got told by bullies
\nto hang himself.<\/p>\n

BULLY is not a feel-good documentary. It also doesn’t answer any\u00a0questions about how bullying can be eradicated. But it certainly\u00a0raises many questions.<\/p>\n

Here’s my suggestion about this movie.<\/p>\n

If you’re a parent, see the\u00a0film as soon as you can, with your spouse. You HAVE TO watch this\u00a0movie. When you’re done, set aside an hour or two away from your kids\u00a0to discuss the issues in the movie. Then come up with an action plan\u00a0about what you’re going to do with your kids. Because they really need\u00a0to watch this too. And you, as their parent, must have a plan of\u00a0action.<\/p>\n

Here are some of the questions your kids can ask themselves after watching BULLY.<\/h2>\n

1. Look in the mirror. Ask yourself: Am I a bully? Am I someone who gets bullied?<\/p>\n

2. Do I know anyone who is getting bullied?<\/p>\n

3. What can I do or say to make bullying stop?\"Bully<\/a><\/p>\n

4. What can I do or say to become someone’s hero EVERY day?<\/p>\n

5. Who can I tell?<\/p>\n

In my experience, bullies thrive on the power of silence. As long as\u00a0people say nothing, they keep going. You can easily become a hero by\u00a0simply standing up when someone is bullying another person and saying,\u00a0‘What you’re doing isn’t right. Please stop.’\u00a0This might make you the target of that bully. But not if you do it\u00a0right.<\/p>\n

Bullies like individual victims. They like loners with no\u00a0friends, no support structures. Kids whose friends turn their eyes\u00a0away. So, if you challenge a bully, do it WITH SOMEONE ELSE. Pair up\u00a0with a friend, and vow to take action next time you see bullying\u00a0happening.<\/p>\n

The bully is often just some sort of victim too. They’re not\u00a0necessarily bullying because they’re monsters. Maybe there’s something\u00a0awful going on at home. So when someone says ‘Stop!’, it interrupts a\u00a0system, a set of behaviours.\u00a0When you say, ‘What you’re doing isn’t right,’ the bully KNOWS you’re\u00a0telling the truth. When you say, ‘Please stop,’ you’re offering a way\u00a0out.<\/p>\n

All of these things are just my response to the movie. Your response\u00a0will probably be different. But I guarantee you’ll have a mixed set of emotions afterwards. And your kids will have a load of \u00a0ideas on how to deal with the problems they see.<\/p>\n

Please watch the movie. Your child’s life could depend on it.<\/p>\n

The movie is currently on circuit at Cinema Nouveau movie houses until August 31, 2012
\nClick here<\/a> to find out more about the Bully Project linked to this movie<\/p>\n

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