Is it Really Possible?

..... to understand the human phenomena?

So this post is a bit overdue, but I couldn't quite find the right things to say. We, as a class, are all trying to delve into the human mind and understand just how we tick, why we pick on others, and how all this ties into the ASTI constitution. As a refresher (and reference) here’s the ASTI constitution:

1. Think before you speak or act
2. Include, don’t exclude
3. Accept others for who they are
4. Build mutual trust and respect
5. Assume positive intent
6. Speak up for yourself and others
7. Strive to understand where other people are coming from; be empathetic
8. Take responsibility for your actions and words
9. Make a positive impact on the people and environment around you
10. Resolve conflict peacefully

Chew on this; it’s a quote from my friend Susan Peevey’s Blog:

(…) For most of eighth grade I chose to laugh at these people. My friend and I made ourselves feel better by poking fun at them, telling ourselves that they were all idiots and that we were the ‘cool’ ones. But there was one boy that really got to my nerves, really made my teeth grind. At one point it became physical, and after that he left me alone for quite a while. But then he started bothering my friend and me again, talking to us when he knew we didn’t like him. (…)The worst part about it is that they only did these things for the same reason that my friend and I would poke fun at the bullies in our own grade- to make themselves feel better. They wanted security, a higher status, and we were just perfect targets to get what they wanted. It was almost as if we just stepped up to be their enemies. (…)

On the bully’s part, this represents item one of the constitution: Think before you speak or act. The bully had learned his lesson, he knew messing with them was a bad idea… but he kept at it, he wasn’t thinking… he was ignoring common sense (though I’m not sure if it’s common sense anymore these days). So kids, this is an example of what NOT to do.

On Susan’s part, this really represents item six, Speak up for yourself and others. She tried different method of getting this person out of her face, she spoke up, and in the end, the guy got the hint and went away, with a few bruises. I don’t support having to go all out an hit the guy, but you can understand the underlying matter, she stood up for herself and her friend.

And now, I’m going to go off into one of my side notes:

Bullying is something we consider ourselves to be “above”. Boy, are we being silly… we all try our best to not be bullies… but at some point we all bully someone, be it ourselves or our sibling. I guess I’m not makin’ much sense… I dunno, here’s a question for ya’ll to think about:

Can we truly understand ourselves? If we can, why don’t we? And if we can’t, how the heck do we function?