Protectors Nation: Caution When Opening Doors When Josh Yandts father died, other students tormented him by tearing his father’s picture out of his locker. It upset him so badly that he and his mom moved to create a clean slate. At his new school, he started opening doors for his classmates, a gesture that first met with skepticism and later with amazing appreciation. Josh Yandt, through the viral video “Opening Doors,” brings to our nation a much needed example of social grace, hospitality and civility. He has opened many hearts by opening many doors. May his example spread throughout this great nation. And at the same time, it’s important that we put Josh’s redemption story in perspective: 1). Though inexcusable and cruel, his bullying experience pales when compared to what more than 160,000 students put up with everyday. Our children are having their psychological skin seared each day; some for years. 2). Yandt isn’t opening doors for his tormentors. They are at another school. I’m worried that parents across the country are going to put their heart before their head to tell their targeted child to do the same and to expect the same heart-touching response. I’m worried because though this sounds loving, kind and compassionate, it can end up putting targets in the crosshairs even more since bullies are adept at using most any gesture against your child—especially during the elementary and middle-school years. Like Miss USA, who when asked what she would say to global terrorists, said she would spread a message of “hope and love and peace,” such an approach is well-intentioned but also naive and dangerous. As we say at The Protectors, terrorists aren’t the only ones who terrorize. Bullies also wed power to fear, making them formidable. https://youtube/watch?v=PIHtuKc3Gjg
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 22:53:56 +0000
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