The old saying that “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never harm me” is cold comfort to children and teenagers who have been tormented or picked on by their peers. In recent years, the problem has escalated, as bullies now hide behind the anonymity of social media and texting. Of course, bullying doesn’t only affect kids; adults can also be targeted, especially in the workplace. Bullying can take many forms: name-calling, spreading rumors, making threats, ostracism or physical violence. And it occurs for any number of reasons, including race, gender, religious affiliation, sexual orientation or physical appearance.
This e-single, a selection of news stories and opinion pieces from The New York Times, offers a broad picture of the issue, told from many perspectives. In one very personal account called “The Bleakness of the Bullied” (Oct. 15, 2011), Times columnist Charles M. Blow wrote of his own painful experience being bullied as a child: “Bullying isn’t just a harmless game. It can be a deadly one, and we need to be reminded of that constantly. You never know how your words are affecting another person.”
This e-single, a selection of news stories and opinion pieces from The New York Times, offers a broad picture of the issue, told from many perspectives. In one very personal account called “The Bleakness of the Bullied” (Oct. 15, 2011), Times columnist Charles M. Blow wrote of his own painful experience being bullied as a child: “Bullying isn’t just a harmless game. It can be a deadly one, and we need to be reminded of that constantly. You never know how your words are affecting another person.”
