Rant for Blogophilia Week 13.6

Juli a few years ago. Typical teen

Meet Julianna. She’s sixteen going on thirty, gorgeous, intelligent and to be with her is a a joy.

Normally her theme would be An Ode to Joy. But lately she’s more likely to sing the lyrics from Pink’s Trouble.

I’m trouble

Yeah trouble now

I’m trouble y’all

I got trouble in my town

She’s a person with eclectic interests from vampire novels, poetry writing, drama and one of her favourite films is an old 60s film with John Wayne, El Dorado.

But this post is called a rant. And you want to know why? What is there to rant about?

Why is this lovely young woman singing about trouble?

That’s where the rant comes in.

Apparently a boy at school threatened her with a knife.

No she does not go to a public school in a bad area. Her school is a separate school (Catholic School Board funded publically) in one of the better areas of town.

Juli had become depressed lately, couldn’t sleep, suffered from headaches and, more worriedly, didn’t want to go to school. She loved school and is an A student. Her dad couldn’t understand what was going on.

Until she told him about the boy and the knife.

Oh yes, her parents visited the principal. Deeply concerned. Now I haven’t spoken to her father so did not get his point of view. He and my husband have talked. I gather the school and the principal are afraid of the boy. Yep, the principal is afraid of one of the students. A student in the third year of high school. Apparently the boy is big and burly, does one handed push ups, has many tats and wears his hat in class.

In the old days the separate schools here were known for a high degree of discipline. Not any more.

So what did the school do? They took away the boy’s knife. That’s it.

I learned that he sits next to her in a class. I asked if at least his seat was changed. My husband does not know. I asked if the police were called. Did they request a restraining order? A shrug from the husband. He did not know. It appears the police were not notified of the incident.

All he knows is that Juli’s doctor prescribed anti-depressants, with sometime in the future, the possibility of seeing a psychologist.

Now here it comes – the huge rant…

The school, the system and her parents are teaching this 16 year old lovely young lady that if people fear someone no action will be taken and you will be the victim with no means of closure.

Here take your pills smile, be quiet and don’t complain.

I hate to think what the medication will do to her. She is not depressed. She is frightened and I’m angry.

I’m furious.

I know Juli. I know what inappropriate meds can do to a person. I know what happens when a traumatic life experience doesn’t include closure.

I’ve spoken to people I know about this incident.. And yes the schools have a no tolerance policy for bullying. Yeah I guess as long as they’re not afraid of the bully who not only threatens my young friend but whose threats are strong enough to protect himself from the principal, her parents and the school board.

So her parents are teaching her and the school is teaching her that if someone is a bully and big and scary then they can get away with anything they please. Even though the incident was not Juli’s fault she is still the victim. And with medication she will feel even more victimized.

So the school is being compliant and allowing the boy to do what he pleases.

What do you think? Will Juli be able to put this incident behind her?

Juli last year

You could say Juli is a pretty pink flower whose soft dainty petals are being plucked one by one.

wirtten for

Blogophilia Week 13.6 Topic: Ode to Joy

Bonus Points:

(Hard, 2 pts): Include El Dorado in your blog

(Easy, 1 pt): Incorporate your favorite song lyric