Feeling like a bully

I need to have a pep talk with myself.

I'm a nice person. Really, I am. I like to support worthwhile organizations, from Girl Scouts to the Humane Society to the random neighbor kid selling for his school fundraiser. I donate blood. I take in strays. I try to live a Christian lifestyle. I turn in lost items or try somehow to return them to their rightful owner. I would never intentionally hurt anyone or anything. In fact, I even go the extra mile to "gently place" irksome bugs outdoors rather than squash their guts.

And I just want to put up the disclaimer that no, I'm not trying to portray myself as a goody two-shoes by any means. Nor do I seek praise of any kind. No, I'm just trying to convince myself I'm not as mean as I've been feeling.

But I do believe in standing up for what is right.

Thinking back over the last couple of weeks, I've had to do some nasty things. I had to challenge an amusement park employee over a stuffed fish, argue with a professor over an unusual policy, and as of tonight, I am planning to attend the town council meeting to put in my two cents worth about a very sudden raise in electricity (with no prior warning) that caused our recent bill to skyrocket to almost $100 MORE than our typical bill.

It isn't just a matter of getting my way, but a matter of putting up a fight for what is right for the sake of others, as well. Several people hold the attitude that bitching will not do any good, but how democratic is it if everyone simply sits idly by and says nothing about the world around them that is influencing their futures?

And then there's the issue of my little sister's Biology teacher. She's not related to me, but rather my little sis through the local Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. Well, she happens to have this teacher that I had in high school--a man who has no business teaching whatsoever.

I left his classroom crying several days of my junior year. He told me I was wasting his time for being in his class and that I would never make it in college. His language was atrocious, which was intimidating enough. The day he called me an "asshole" I bawled for over an hour. I had done well in my previous Biology class, and I had no idea why I was doing so poorly in this AP (Advanced Placement) class. But I'm pretty sure it has to do with the fact he was too busy playing Solitaire to teach. I even went in early for help a time or two and he never showed up.

So now Ashley has him, and I'm really worried for her. He doesn't know she's my little sis--I urged her for both of our sakes not to mention my name. I called her a couple of nights ago to see how school was going, and what she told me was absolutely infuriating.

He cusses around these kids constantly, which, though teachers aren't perfect, he is in an influential position of authority who should act more professional. Many don't mind, but rather, they think it is cool. He has refused to let her make up a lab she missed, and he also denied her the opportunity to make up homework until her mother finally e-mailed him personally to demand her daughter's assignments. And he embarrassed her by yelling at her in front of everyone when she asked for help. She is an A/B student (like I was) and yet she is failing his class now. Not only that, but he has made several remarks to the kids that they have to be rich to enjoy life.

This all brought back a flood of memories. I remember telling my dad about the horrible days I had in this class and he begged me to let him go to the school and "have a talk" with this jerk. But back in the day, I was one of those people who thought it was better to stay quiet than cause a fuss, so I eventually quit telling my dad about the things this teacher said and did so he wouldn't go to the school and cause a scene.

But I'm on the other end, seeing that someone else is going through misery. Would anything have been done about him if I spoke up to someone 9 years ago? I don't know, but I am seriously considering going in and talking to her guidance counselor about him. I would do so semi-anonymously, of course, but then I'm also wondering if I should do anything at all. I mean, it is the parent's place to do that sorta thing, but I am having a hard time biting my tongue on this one. I think Ashley fears that if she mentions anything about him, he will only make things worse for her. I, on the other hand, have nothing to lose.

It is the same thing out here in the real world, though. If we don't speak out, don't object to the manner in which we are treated, then we will only be steamrolled by the powers that be.