In response an op-ed piece written by Andrew Walker’s in the Jan 3 issue of the Courier-Journal. In his oped, Mr. Walker suggests that the proposed anti-bullying legislation was “tyranny.” The proposed legisation calls for specific protections for certain categories of youth based on religion, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity, and disability. Below is the letter to the editor co-written by MensWork’s Rus Funk, and Marta Miranda of the Center for Women and Families.
We take strong issue with the position Mr. Walker takes on the proposed legislation to more fully protect our youth from bullying, harassment and violence. Both MensWork and the Center for Women and Families do extensive work throughout Kentuckiana to combat bullying and harassment – and thus we are the “anti-bullying crusaders” that Mr. Walker mentions in his op-ed. We provide education and leadership development with youth, train teachers, coaches and other adults on how they can work to effectively combat bullying, and work with administrators on how they can create environments that promote respect and prevent bullying.
We believe that the proposed legislation is vital to our efforts, and those of others, to combat bullying throughout the state. Generic efforts to promote respect do not go far enough and do not provide the strategies, initiatives or skills necessary to combat the kinds of bullying that some people within certain targeted groups (or who are assumed to be of those targeted groups) experience.
It seems important to point out that the Family Foundation does not offer any bullying prevention programs, does not offer any kind of training for staff, adults or youth about how to recognize or prevent bullying, does not offer or recommend any curricula regarding the prevention of bullying. In fact, they do nothing to combat bullying.
We see and work to counter every day, the kinds of bullying that girls, smaller-stature boys, children who are perceived to be gay or lesbian, children with disabilities, or those who are not Christian experience. They deserve to be protected, and it is the responsibility, nay our moral obligation, to ensure that ALL of children experience the right to be safe in their educational settings. We would like to challenge Mr. Walker and the Family Foundation to get behind this legislation in order to insure that ALL Kentucky children are safe.
Marta Miranda, President and CEO of the Center for Women and Families
Rus Ervin Funk, Executive Director of MensWork: eliminating violence against women, inc.
No comments yet.