The Sage Publication is the student news site of Sage Creek High School in Carlsbad, CA

The Sage

The Sage Publication is the student news site of Sage Creek High School in Carlsbad, CA

The Sage

The Sage Publication is the student news site of Sage Creek High School in Carlsbad, CA

The Sage

‘No Place for Hate’ Campaign Falls Short of What We Really Need

No+Place+for+Hate+team+lines+up+for+a+photo+in+their+new+shirts+while+holding+up+words+of+kindness.
Makenna Manti
No Place for Hate team lines up for a photo in their new shirts while holding up words of kindness.

Bullying is a silent, invisible disease that plagues our school. Some even believe it doesn’t happen anymore or doesn’t exist. When someone does something to harass or degrade another person, they don’t do it in front of other people for fear of getting caught. In the rare cases there is a ‘witness,’  people don’t know how to recognize what is happening as what it truly is: bullying. While I appreciate and understand the intentions of the “No Place for Hate” campaign, I am skeptical of the new campaign on our campus. I’m not convinced that it will be able to live up to its intentions.

The “No Place for Hate” campaign was  introduced to our school in the end of October by the school climate committee. It originates from the Anti-Defamation League, a non profit organization that’s mission is “to secure justice and fair treatment to all,” specializing in anti-Semitism, the bias against the Jewish people.

One of the most glaring nuances of the campaign is that there must be a teacher witness of the bullying happening for any student to be punished. It comes down to a more legal protection than a pretentious rule. When a student is suspended or expelled, which can be considered a goal, it can be a legal matter that goes to a court to decide. It is, essentially, a student’s education at stake.

One of the teachers on the school climate committee is math department chair Jeff Simon. He explained that it’s really tough for school staff to provide consequences to students who are accused of “bullying” without a staff member seeing the incident.

It doesn’t really stand up [in court] unless an adult actually witnessed the behavior,” Simon said, “you can’t actually bust somebody unless there’s [evidence].

— Jeff Simon

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There are laws, including the First Amendment, that protect the right to say certain negative things and the right to hate speech. Although, California has some laws that protect students from such harassment in specific circumstances, which can result in suspension or expulsion.

On the other hand, not all teachers have the ear for what is a nasty comment, a slur or a dig at another student. I’ve seen a few times when a student took a dig at another student right in front of a teacher and the teacher either dismissed it as nothing or didn’t recognize it was a dig at all. But the face of the student on the other end of the comment shows that it just didn’t feel good to hear that kind of comment. Even if a teacher does realize something fishy is going on, how do they recognize when to intervene and when they are blowing a playful exchange out of proportion?

After hearing of some complaints about the fact that a teacher must witness a behavior, the climate committee is looking into ways of tracking the behaviors and offenders of jokes, slurs, comments and “microaggressions.”

“We are looking into this ‘Speak Up’ app that allows students to report anonymously,” Simon said, “so we can target offenders and start to reduce [the behaviors].”

On Wednesday, several advisory classes reported to the gym for what was called the largest advisory lesson ever. Simon led the lesson about the No Place for Hate campaign and highlighted the impacts of microaggressions and how seemingly “nothing” comments can be harmful to people. Although the lesson brought up an important aspect of bullying that is pressing, so much emphasis was put on these microaggressions that it had the effect of minimizing the message to the student body. As if these tiny, albeit harmful, comments are the only way students are bullied at school. The lesson had only scratched the surface of the issue and I hope that advisory lessons will cover more in the future.

Overall, making a plan to “stop” or “reduce” bullying is easy. The programs and techniques are out there, published on websites even. But executing the plan and actually having a substantial impact is where it gets complicated. The disease of bullying has many friends: bullies that hide it make it hard to see, misinterpretation of comments make it invisible and the law makes it silent. Bullying feeds off the weakness of our system and manifests itself in students at our school. Just because we can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s a myth. We need a treatment that works so kids will treat each other better. We need teachers that are armored with the knowledge of how to combat and recognize  bullying. We need students who come into the problem with an open mind and kind words. That is our solution.

View Comments (16)

Comments (16)

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  • K

    Kylie ValencyMar 21, 2018 at 8:45 pm

    Reply
  • L

    Liam DonohueDec 14, 2017 at 9:52 am

    Unfortunately recognizing and discussing the issues with a teacher won’t fix anything. If anything it’s hurting to issue, Kids need to learn the valuable skill of dealing with real world problems or else all of us are screwed, it’s just part of growing as a person. Instead of teaching kids to run away from the problem just teach them to confront the person or teach them the skill of not caring. We need to learn to stop caring what other people think and go on with their lives. Bullies thrive off of people who are weak. I think it’s great that people are trying to create a better environment at our school but that’s just not how life works. You’re going to have to deal with people that suck and we can’t neglect the reality of that.

    Reply
  • D

    David FosmanDec 13, 2017 at 1:28 pm

    “Bullying feeds off the weakness of our system.”

    WRONG. Bullying and bullies feed off the weakness of our students. Although it is a virtuous goal, it is simply impossible to get rid of all bullying. I believe that encouraging students not to be A-holes is a positive endeavor that could mitigate the effects of bullying, but I also believe that given the premise that the bullying will never cease to exist, we need to focus our efforts on giving students the tools necessary to effectively handle situations in which they are being bullied. I do believe that bullies should be punished (I don’t think anyone disagrees.), but by putting so much emphasis on the bully and punishing him or her, you are telling students that it is okay to continue being weak and incapable of handling conflicts, because sooner or later bullies will change their behavior and the weak won’t have to deal with them any longer. This strategy, in essence, relies on bullies to solve the bullying problem. Bullies are the last people we should rely on anything for. The best strategy is not to point out every possible way that someone can bully, it is to point out every possible way a student can effectively handle and overcome being bullied.

    “Just because we can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s a myth.”

    Here I believe you are anticipating/addressing an argument that I don’t think anyone has ever made. Nobody believes that bullying doesn’t exist.

    “We need teachers that are armored with the knowledge of how to combat and recognize bullying.”

    It is not the teachers that are being bullied. We need STUDENTS that are armored with the knowledge of how to combat and recognize bullying.

    Reply
  • J

    Jeff SimonDec 13, 2017 at 11:32 am

    Cool article, Ari – thanks for moving the conversation forward. The only point I really had contention with was your misassumption that suspending or expelling students could be considered a goal. As you later stated, you’ve observed teachers do nothing in response to bullying being witnessed. So what the School Climate Committee is working on as one way to address students’ needs is to try to respond more consistently and effectively to those incidents that are observed by a staff member – which I believe is a meritable and long overdue effort. However, it is by no means anybody’s goal to bust students.

    Aside from that piece, I think you’re spot on with your call for “needing teachers that are armored with the knowledge of how to combat and recognize bullying.” And, even more so, “needing students who come into the problem with an open mind and kind words.”
    I believe we all share these same solutions – Conversation, consideration, mutual respect and understanding are the goals.

    Reply
  • A

    Andrew CovielloDec 13, 2017 at 10:55 am

    There needs to be more research & citation on the First Amendment and the California anti-bullying laws, because all I saw was that tiny paragraph detailing the amendment and laws which may be true or perjury, or also outdated to California’s harassment-deterring code. However it’s more likely true as this state is prone to anti-bullying sheltering, and everyone in this comment section is a genius in their thoughts, opinions and ideas all to their own. It’s like communicating with prophets and philosophers in a big room.

    Basically all I’m saying is

    [citation needed]

    Reply
  • J

    Jake NipperDec 11, 2017 at 8:23 pm

    Okay. Here’s my issue with the campaign that nobody seems to be talking about.
    We are in High School. Many of us are adults or close to being adults, and the rest of us are preparing to be adults.

    In the real world, does anyone intervene when someone “bullies” you? Do you have a teacher or admin or mom or dad to run to?
    The answer is no, and this brings me to my point. Kids in our generation are being over-sheltered and are not being taught to handle their issues with others by themselves. This is a recipe for disaster.

    I’m not saying racism or any form of overt discrimination is okay, because we all know it’s not. What I AM saying is that developing adults need to develop thicker skin and learn to settle their own disputes, and our generation clearly is not being encouraged to do so.

    When a group of students butts me out of their social sphere or makes fun of me behind my back or looks down on me, I don’t run to a teacher or administrator to make them make those students include me, because I’m not six years old anymore. I just stop associating myself with those students. I’ve done it plenty of times. It’s that easy.

    Someone says something mean on Instagram? Block them. In a class? Politely ask the teacher for a new seat. At the lunch table? Find a new table with real friends.

    The answer is NOT to run away crying to a faculty member, because they won’t be in your life for much longer.

    Reply
    • G

      Grant HughesDec 12, 2017 at 8:17 am

      Jake I couldn’t agree more, very well put. I would comment something myself but it would probably be to vulgar for these snowflakes to hear.

      Reply
      • C

        Callum FurmanDec 12, 2017 at 9:11 am

        Savagery

        Reply
        • A

          Andrew CovielloDec 13, 2017 at 10:53 am

          200% SAVAGE

          Reply
    • C

      Carter PetersonDec 12, 2017 at 10:51 am

      Very well put, Jake. This generation is soft and full of whiners. And I think we’re being washed into the idea of “hate speech”. But it’s freedom of speech, not freedom to only say nice things to people. The first Amendment in the Constitution protects my right to say what I want to say and protects others to offend me. I’m not gonna dial myself down for some baby.
      Nice argument overall. Thanks for not complaining:)

      Reply
    • A

      Alex BarattiDec 12, 2017 at 2:31 pm

      Couldn’t agree more Jake. Well put and maturely written.

      Reply
    • B

      Brittney MillerDec 15, 2017 at 11:26 am

      Jake, I see where you are coming from, and it is a common viewpoint of many people, especially previous generations, but this argument has a few critical flaws.
      Primarily, aggressions, even ones considered “micro,” do not build a “thicker skin.” Psychologically speaking, these things only make kids more insecure, more anxious, and weaker emotionally. This is not a new thing: for a long time now the kids who were constantly belittled only felt more and more like those comments were true, and they did not get stronger for it. You cannot make someone stronger by tearing them down, it’s like trying to build a house on a cracking foundation. Discrimination is not a tool for strength, and a “thicker skin” won’t be built through it.
      But you want to talk about the “real world.” Okay, let’s talk about that. Life after high school is no walk in the park, for sure, but most people in a professional workplace act professionally. They don’t say, as I have heard boys say here, “You’re so gay, you’re in a Prius with another guy, so gay.” They don’t come in to work and chant with their buddies “build a wall, build a wall.” They don’t make rape jokes casually and loudly as if everyone finds them funny. These are childish, these are the aggressions you think are justified, things people should just “develop thicker skin” to block. You won’t see these in a workplace, because people in the “real world” usually have basic respect for one another, and if they don’t, then they are the ones who are hard-pressed to find jobs because they can’t work well with others.
      Your argument is flawed because it’s the same as telling girls not to wear short skirts so that boys aren’t distracted. It’s not a person’s fault for not having a thicker skin, it’s a person’s fault for being rude.
      Some biases are raised-in, pre-set by a family, and in these cases it is this person’s job to recognize their bias and check themselves, to grow out of how they were raised. It is not a person’s responsibility to adapt to racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism.
      People who think that “developing a thicker skin” is a solution are part of the problem. Stop blaming the victims.

      Reply
      • D

        DariusDec 16, 2017 at 4:56 pm

        Brittney you are wrong. IT completely relies on a persons adaptability to the modern world to be successful in both a social and political atmosphere. If having a political opinion is an aggression that in itself is a fundamental flaw as it is right given to us citizens of the United states to have one. IT doesn’t matter if you are Nazi or Communist you are protected underneath the constitution and first amendment to do so. Second, never have I ever heard another dude seriously call another dude gay for being in the car with his homie. You need you realise that within context that it was probably a joke and you shouldn’t have gotten offended in a conversation you never were in the first place. There will always be bullies and giving them attention like this and using your silly “microagressions” only spurs them on more. I’ve been called a Sand Person and a terrorist In both a serious and joking way, did I ever get mad? Yeah but I didn’t cry to mommy or daddy, I stood up for myself or laughed at myself whenever the joke or insult would come up. I adapted and learned to deal with people like that, just show them that they are wrong. Your words mean nothing to them, only your actions do. It’s all about being the better man in these situations and that is your fundamental flaw when discussing this topic. That our generation is coddled and relies too much on a society that could care less, so next time you see someone getting “bullied” or you are getting micoragressed stand up and fight back with dignity and honor. Using silly little terms won’t do anything. If you are talking about white privilege that is just wrong . Why do I have to check myself? Bias is not inherent, believing that in itself is you admitting your own bias. Stop blaming muh whitey or muh straight people for the problems in the world. People have different kinds of humor and if you can’t understand that literally don’t listen. The entire purpose of No Place for Hate at Sage especially was to promote RESPECTFUL CONVERSATION not telling people to check their privilege and to get out of your safe space. The world is based on conflicting ideas and the discourse that follows, so build that thick skin and be ready to defend what you believe in

        Reply
      • D

        David FosmanDec 18, 2017 at 7:01 pm

        Brittney, with all due respect, you completely misunderstood the point that Jake “Sexyboi” Nipper was making. If his argument was that any sort of aggressions are justified because they give the victim thicker skin, I would be on your side 110%, but that is not the case. If you read my previous comment on this article, you should be able to see that what Jake and I are calling for is the strengthening of those that do not have the tools to cope with bullying effectively. Neither of us think that this strengthening should come from more bullying, because both Jake and I agree with your point in your first paragraph, saying that bullying takes a psychological toll. Where you and I part ways in ideology is when it comes to what we believe is a better solution for bullying. From “Stop blaming the victim,” I can take that your approach to solving the problem of bullying roots itself in punishing bullies and teaching students not to bully in order to prevent more bullying. I, too, believe that bullies should be punished and that we should teach students not to bully. However, my solution, which I can assume is also Jake’s solution, views the eradication of bullying as a utopian dream, so we take what I believe is your solution a step farther by also focusing on the steps a victim can take to learn the tools necessary to effectively handle a situation in which they are being bullied. I call it the “Bully-Victim” approach, an approach that mitigates the effects of the bully side, while also empowering the victim side. Like I stated in my previous comment, solely focusing on the bully side of the problem will certainly mitigate some adverse effects of bullying, however by also fostering an environment in which students know how to effectively handle bullying on their own, we can truly minimize the effects of bullying. Focusing on the bully only goes so far.

        I am actually glad you replied to Jake, Brittney. While writing this, I have found that you, me, and Jake share a lot more common ground than probably any of us would have previously thought. We all want bullying and its effects minimized. Since I believe the topic is an important one, I would also entertain the idea of further discussing this issue with you on SagePol, only if you, Darius, and Jake are okay with it of course. I believe this could bring us to a meaningful consensus while also bringing this important discussion to the student body.

        Reply
  • S

    Sam BodnarDec 11, 2017 at 8:17 pm

    Amazing article, Ariana! Arguably one of the best opinion pieces written this year. From 2,000+ miles away and hearing what was occurring at SCHS, I actually had some of these same thoughts.

    Reply
    • D

      Darius RahmanianDec 12, 2017 at 11:18 am

      Sam I am hurt how could you do this to me.

      Reply