A few weeks ago, I posted the It Gets Better video by the Chicago Cubs. Tonight Lawrence O'Donnell took a few minutes out of his show, The Last Word, to play Stephen Colbert's It Gets Better video.
I love this video. I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "Of course you do! You're a bleeding heart liberal and you LOVE Stephen Colbert." To that I'd say you're right. I am. And I do love Stephen Colbert.
BUT you've never seen Stephen Colbert like this. He's not in character. He's just himself. Genuine, authentic Stephen Colbert. Not comedian Stephen Colbert of The Colbert Report.
I love the story he shares with all kids who are getting teased for whatever reason. Words have power, but the power doesn't just belong to the bullies. We can disarm the bullies by not letting their words bother us, thus deflating them. When we do that, we take the power away from the bullies and things begin to get better immediately.
So watch Stephen Colbert. Because he's right. It does get better.
Actually, I both agree and disagree. It gets better, but NOT because people get nicer. Once you're out on your own, you have more control over who you spend your time with. Sure, some people grow up, and that helps, but a lot don't. But unlike school, you get to walk away and go hang out with people who are worth knowing.
ReplyDeleteCynthia,
ReplyDeleteI'll give you that point. I think people get nicer because we get to choose who we surround ourselves with. So if you're not nice and you find yourself constantly on the outside looking in, you're forced to change your behavior.
At my 20 year high school reunion 2 years ago, I ran into a woman who tormented me throughout junior high. I knew she was there, but had successfully avoided her most of the night. All those years later and the wounds still hurt.
In line for the ladies room, I ran into her and couldn't get away. She started the conversation with me and actually apologized for her behavior all those years ago. She told me about her life in junior high, which I won't go into here, but it was Hell, and asked for my forgiveness. I happily gave it and it gave us both closure.
I guess my point is that as kids, we don't know why the bullies are bullies and sometimes they do change. They don't always apologize to us for their hurtful behavior, but when they do, it can change everything.