I learned young to not tolerate bullying, insults and threats of bodily harm. My first major lessons were as young as 11, when I was transferred to a new school. My first few days were a blurr of bullying by 7th and 8th graders who tried to intimidate me to respect their strength and status at the school. I never took well to threats or bullying and learned to stay silent when insulted or theatened until there was a real threat to my safety and I was attacked by three 8th graders. Because at my age I was already as tall or taller than most my age I was often insulted and intimidated In those days unlike today’s schools teachers were reluctant to interfer and saw these threats as a right of passage. If the kid didn’t fight back or did was often ignored. After my first fight with these three 8th graders which I was bruised, thrown to the ground and my coat was torn I reported it to my teacher who asked if I was hurt and I showed her my coat and a bruise on my arm. She being a cynical nun reported it but nothing was done.
That afternoon when I returned home I told my parents. They complained to the school the next day but, I decided I needed a way to protect myself and brought my baseball bat to school the next day under the guise of playing baseball at recess. When those three tried to attack me again I swung my bat and hit one on his arm and broke it. The second lundged at me and I broke his shoulder with my bat, the third ran away and cried out loud for a teacher. When the two I struck realized I wasn’t going to tollerate their threats again they limped off in tears and fear. I was disaplined that day and suspended pending a conversation with my parents. When I told them what had happened my father understood I did it in self defense. I was allowed back to school a few days later and was never bothered by anyone again. My reputation carried over through High School and I was elected to the Student Council in my sophmore and senior years. I learned the great lessons of Standing Silent, Standing Tall, and Standing Strong and few if any will dare challenge you and respect you.
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