A call to action against bullying

 
During a panel discussion at “Bullying: A call for action conference,” community members discussed the action the community must take against bullying.
The panel included Southern University student and parent Daniel Banguel, McKinley Middle Magnet School dean of students Sean Joffrion, Baton Rouge family court judge Pamela Taylor Johnson, former city council member W.T. Winnfield, director of SU Counseling Center ValaRay Irvin and director of Southern University Alumni Affairs Robyn Merrick served as moderator.
“It seems that bullying rules with a sense of fear. We have adults who are afraid and young people afraid to go to adults to tell. No one wants to be a witness. Bullying is creating a dangerous circle of fear,” Merrick said.
Banguel a reformed bully discussed his childhood of bullying and how people had faith in his potential.
“In 12^th grade I realized bullying was a problem. People gave me chance after chance,” Banguel said.
Banguel a former bully pursued his education and as a father now, he has realized the impact of the bullying he was involved with.
“I want my son to know, I am an active parent and support him. I don’t want him to have the same experience as me. I had to climb a lot of mountains. I have reformed and hope to make a great progression in my years to come,” Banguel said.
Joffrion explained the types of encounters regarding bullying in his work as dean of students.
“One thing in my school that I see is bullying centered around the j word (jealousy). Of the visits to my office 95 percent of them are for bullying. It tends to boild down to lack of self esteem for those bullying and those being bullied,” Joffrion said.
While reflecting on his childhood, Joffrion described how he addresses those being bullied and those that are being bullies.
“I was lucky enough to have parents that assured me that I had everything that I needed to succeed. I had parents who inspired me to be the best at what I was good at doing. We work at building up those that are being bullied, for those doing the bullying we have group. To show the positives within themselves, and turn it around as if they were getting bullied,” Joffrion said.
Johnson addressed where bullying becomes a crime and the legal repercussions of bully behavior.
“Bullying doesn’t always happen in school. Kids get put out of school and are struggling to move on. While hard bullying in the community crimes are being committed,” Johnson said.
​Johnson shared audio of a plea she heard from a teen who was the victim of bullying and retaliated against the bully.
“It’s not a crisis it’s past a crisis or an issue. We must do something, we must do it soon, and we must do it well,” Johnson said.
Winnfield described the need for action in a story about his grandson whose life was changed as a result of being the victim of bullying.
“Let’s save our children. Bullying hurts. Bullying destroys,” Winnfield said.
Irvin described the psychological perspective of bullying on both sides of the action.
“We have to pay close attention. You have to be willing to discuss the discrepancies. We have to be willing to understand what is awful and alarming. We pretend something isn’t happening or hope that it would go away,” Irvin said.
Irvin urged conference participants to consider the ways that bullying is impacting the community and be willing to face it head on.
“We have to become more comfortable with coming to help and seeking help,” Irvin said.
Merrick concluded the panel opening the floor to questions from participants.
Questions ranged from policy to addressing bullying from varying perspectives and levels.
Panelists were selected by Barbara Carpenter, dean of Southern University International and Continuing Education.
Following the panel discussion participants were given the opportunity to discuss and write down things to be addressed in the community to fight against bullying.​​