Little John Defends The Blackshear Forest

My son, Benjamin Strait, dons his Little John Montoya outfit in preparation for his role in Young Robin Hood.

I don't like to do two political stories in a row.  But I feel like I have no choice.  My valiant, heroic son is being bullied for his political beliefs at his local middle school. Last week a large number of boys ganged up on him and told him that Obama was gay, that his children were adopted and the Michelle was really Michael.  They said Obama kills babies.  Benjamin was surprised when one of his closest friends started to join in the chanting and derision.

Yesterday it began again.  This time Obama was a terrorist who wanted to start a world war.  One boy told him that if Benjamin could find another person who would vote for Obama, he wouldn't kill him.  My son just tried to calmly ask where they got their information.  The kids said "Fox News".  Benjamin said that Fox News was controlled by the Republican Party.  The kids said it was a channel for both Democrats and Republicans.

This is not the only assault I've heard of.  They have occurred in both Pierce and Ware County.  If you are known to support Obama, you're going to be harassed.  My son is braver than I realized, and his courage and strength of character takes my breath away.  There are adults living in this area who support Obama and Democratic positions in general who are afraid to speak out, afraid it might her their job, their family, their standing in the community.

Pierce county will probably vote 85 to 90% for Romney in the coming election.  Those kind of super-majorities sometimes behave like those who believe the other way are pariahs.  There is a tendency in some churches here to condemn liberals from the pulpit.  You are made to feel that if you are a Democrat or progressive/liberal, that you are anti-Christian.  I'm about fed up to here with it.

Do I believe that Fox News declared Obama a terrorist?  Not EXPLICITLY,  no.    They have heavily implied that he is not a true American, that he is a socialist, that he may be foreign born, that he doesn't love this country.  But did these kids literally get what they were saying from Fox News?  I doubt it.  They got it from their parents, they got it from older children, they got it from their church and in some cases, yes, they got it from their teachers.

Should I tell the administration of the school?  I am not sure.  I can't have Benjamin known as a tattler.  That will just increase his harassment   I am a school Principal's kid myself, and I sympathize with their plight.  Parents calling to overprotect their kids can be a problem with trying to evenhandedly run a school.  On the other hand, there is still two weeks until the election.  And I know other kids are being harassed.  It's a tough call and I have not yet fully made up my mind.

I love politics.  I love political discussion, even in the schools.  But this is bullying, plain and simple.  And it needs to stop.

Our play, young Robin Hood, is about bullying as well.  About standing up for yourself against those that would intimidate you.  I am proud to be part of such an effort to contribute towards such a positive message, and I am proud of children like Benjamin, who stand up, sometimes alone, against the kind of awful bullying that goes on, whether it's about politics or physical size or being a nerd or being gay.

Let's stand up for our children.  Let's stand against the bullies.  Let's let kids like Benjamin know they are not alone.