Anger from Kick a Ginger Day

Okay, now that I have calmed down a bit I think I can write about this. On Friday, November 20 people in Canada decided to follow the lead from a stupid character on the Southpark show that stated "All Gingers are stupid and should be kicked out". Some stupid people started a "National Kick a Ginger Day" on Facebook and - poof - somehow it started in America.

So Thursday (the day before) Devon came home afraid to go to school on Friday. He said kids had already approached him expecting to be allowed to kick him on Friday since he has red hair. We researched it on Google - and sure enough it was a there and on You Tube.

I emailed all Devon's teachers and his guidance counselor to "keep an eye out for people kicking him." Some wrote back - others didn't, but that was okay.

Friday came and went - all day I wondered about Devon while I was working at the middle school (where there was no sign of kids kicking red heads). Devon walked over to the middle school for a ride home. As soon as he got in the car he said he had been kicked over 80 times that day. 80 TIMES

Needless to say, this mom was furious! I (amazing myself) calmly called the school to speak to an administrator. He listened and asked me to provide him with names. I spent the next hour trying to convince Devon why it was important to tell me the events of the day including the names of the people that kicked him.

Well, Devon gave me the names of over 30 individuals - estimates that he was kicked over 80 times, starting before school and continuing before and after each class, including some times during class. I am sickened by the thought of this. At times it was a single person attacking him, while at other times there were as many as five boys kicking him repeatedly at the same time. Some boys were "friends" taking advantage of a "excuse of a day" while others were vicious - in either case I found it completely unacceptable and worthy of disciplinary action. He even ended up with some bruising on his legs.

All weekend long I had a sick feeling that the school wasn't going to do anything about it. I felt they would consider it "typical boy bantering." On Monday, I was working at Devon's school, so I quickly found out my answer. I was right. I shared my perspective, expressed my disappointment and tried my best to continue to act in a Christ-like manner.

To my surprise, the principal asked me to join her for a meeting (only 30 minutes into the day). I met with her and the other vice principals. They wanted to hear what I had to say. I explained that I realized some of the kids were "joking" around - as I said "taking advantage of an excuse to inflict pain" but that it was different than "friendly bantering". First, friendly bantering is mutual and based upon a repour and respect for each other. It's a term of enderment (boys are so wierd). This wasn't anything like that. This was only one way, and unwelcome. Some kicks came from behind, some were from people he didn't even know. Some surrounded him and didn't let up. I didn't want revenge....but I did want to have the opportunity to teach these boys that that is not acceptable.

It may have been "funny" to them, but it wasn't funny to Devon (nor me). The school took the matter very seriously and apologized for their earlier "lack of action". I was so happy!

Watch out for 11/20 next year if you have red hair!