The Abstinence Clearinghouse Blog

In what we consider the “animal kingdom” we often see species of the same kind turn and attack one of their own that is weaker or perhaps a little different.  However, as human beings we are to be above such action.  After all, we have a highly developed brain that should help us know what is right and what is wrong; and a conscious and emotions that are suppose to help guide us.  If this is true, how have we sunk to lows that are truly animalistic such as the current case in Concord High School, Concord, New Hampshire?

This morning I was watching a news report and heard how four high school seniors (18, 19 and 20) had bullied a 14-year-old mentally challenged and emotionally vulnerable student for some time then decided to take their bullying to new heights.  They told him that if he would submit himself to allowing them to give him a tattoo on his buttocks, they wouldn’t pick on him anymore. 

Evidently, the older students administered the tattoo to this young boy with their own needles; the image of the tattoo was described as being “obscene” and included some derogatory words. 

How was all of this discovered?  To add insult to injury, photos were taken of the tattoo and were being circulated in the school.  One of the instructors intercepted the photos and took them to the administration.  I can not imagine the embarrassment this young 14-year-old was feeling to be mocked and degraded by his fellow students in this manner.

One of the mother’s of the older boys stated they hadn’t acted maliciously.  That they had told her about it and were joking about it; like it was something funny.  Can you imagine the mother of the victim thinking this was all done in “fun”?

This was an act of cruelty.  A pack of stronger teens ganging up on someone who just wanted to find a way to fit in at high school.  Such actions can never be condoned only condemned.

The tattoo can be surgically removed, and perhaps one of the punishments of those who gave the tattoo will be to pay for its removal.  But, what about the emotional scars to this young man and the humiliation his parents are going through for him as well. 

It is time we find a way to reverse how we perceive our actions toward our fellow man.  It is time that parents start talking to their children about acting with kindness and protecting others who are vulnerable.  We must teach them to abstain from peer pressure that leads to bullying or attacks on others because they are different. 

Let’s start with our 3, 4, and 5-year-olds teaching them about the ways of humanity so that when they are 18, 19, and 20-year-olds they will put the “human” back in human beings!