Go, Fight, Win! Beating Doesn't Break Boy Cheerleader's Spirit

If you or someone you know is a victim to bullies contact: www.PACER.org. I don't know much about that organization but I do know they help victims with problems of bullies. I heard the reason why people like to bully their victims is because they get great pleasure in seeing others hurt or in pain. I have been a victim of bullies myself and I still find it hard to understand how anyone can get pleasure in seeing others feel hurt or in pain. One thing is for sure, our society needs a change to put a stop to bullies.

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When I was in junior high, there was a new sport added to my school's intracurricular activities: soccer. We only had a "boys" team because it was considered too masculine and aggressive a sport for young ladies to play. After much cajoling and opposition from the boys and coaching staff, as well as a forced more-extensive tryout to prove I was 'just as good' as the boys, I was allowed on the team (but never allowed to play in competition). I was picked on, teased, assaulted both physically and verbally, called 'lesbian', 'dike', 'butch', etc. At the same time, a male classmate, and friend, opted to join the cheerleading squad. He, too, endured the harrassing comments and behavior of fellow students and teaching staff. Our choices were made because of what physical sport activities appealed to us as 'fun'. We both enjoyed our chosen sport, participated in something that kept us physically fit and in a social atmosphere. It was healthy and positive for us. Neither of us was "sexually corrupted", as some uneducated adults at that time had suggested we would be. And how many of you can tell me what's become one of the most-participated-in sports of our youths today, for boys and girls? Soccer.
This story is just another example of youths needing to be taught respect and tolerance for others. That is something which must begin at home, we all know, but, ultimately, is polished and rounded-off by the social community around them (i.e. school teachers & classmates, neighbors, coaches, etc.)
It's unfortunate to see that male cheerleading is viewed by these boys as a "sissy" activity. Perhaps they need to be more educated - and maybe urged to give it a try - themselves. We already are aware of what it takes for the girls, but how many are aware of the physical agility, strength, & stamina required to perform as a male cheerleader? Cheerleading is a physically strenuous athletic sport. It requires just as much training and conditioning as any other typically accepted sport, such as football, baseball, and basketball. It teaches physical fitness, strength training, focus & concentration, confidence and leadership. It should NOT be viewed as a gender-classified or sexually-oriented sport any more than soccer, baseball, basketball, or football are anymore. (How many of you are aware there's a women's semi-pro football league?) Cheering squads at universities and colleges around the nation are comprised of both males & females. Take a good look at the physiques of those so-called "sissy boys". (And, by the way, the young men do not don the short skirts and halter tops, as I am certain many will envision with humor.) Wake up and educate yourselves and your children, those of you who are under the influence of ignorance with the belief a child's choice of athletics, boy or girl, labels them as "sissy", "gay", "macho", whatever. It doesn't. It's just a choice of sports. Support the childrens' choices; Teach them to have the acceptance, confidence, and tolerance they will all need to become well-adjusted, respectable, productive adults.
As for Tyler Wilson, kudos to you, young man! Stick to your guns. Don't give up. Hopefully your arm will heal quickly and well enough to allow you to follow your heart into a sport that could use a bigger spotlight. To his mother, Kristy, what a wonderful way to show your love and dedication to your son than to stand by him with support and understanding, teaching him to stand up and make his own choices, without being overbearing.
Shame on the young boys who attacked another child for not sharing their views, for being taught to stereotype and discriminate, to act without concern for the consequences of their actions; To the parents who failed to care enough to teach them it's okay to choose to do something different, as long as it's healthy and positive. (How sad. I'm sure their parents now are on the defensive, no doubt feeling their boys are now the targets of unfair bullying and harrassment.); Finally, double shame to all those at Glenwood Middle School who knew of and failed to notify Tyler's mother about the harrassment and bullying, for having allowed it to escalate into such a volatile situation...and to any other 'responsible' adult who fails to see the need to or take the responsibility of teaching your children respect, honor, tolerance, dignity, and courtesy, and to educate themselves before they react.

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Sounds like a parent just trying to keep from being sued because they can not raise their kids correctly.

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I had a younger brother that had a lot of health issues and as a result he was not able to take part in a lot of activities at school or after school. I finally got fed up and followed about 20 feet behind him on the way home from school. It only took one day and abaout 3 min. to solve the problem, when he was knocked down and was being kicked I ran up and grabbed a couple of the knuckle heads by the neck and hit their heads together and tossed another into a thorn bush. That ended that and he was not bothered a gain. I also let it be loudly known that anyone that tried to bully anyone when I was around would pay for it by ddealing with me. The really funny thing is that at the time I was 15, 5 foot tall and about 98n pounds and GASP a girl. Oh my brother, has a couple of PHDs, fonded a couple of businesses that he went on to sell and retired at age 50. The bullies from school........well they are in jobs that will never go anyplace in a small town that is at deaths door. Makes one wonder at times..........

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Liar!!! You must be one of the kids parents. Being an honor student means nothing. Bullies come in all shapes & sizes. These kids must be stopped now or they will grow up to be bigger bullies, abusers & God knows what else. Curb you kids. Period!!!

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A black belt wouldn't hurt either.

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Mrs. Wilson,

Sue the school, the school board, the principal, and any teachers
involved. Bullying must be stopped.

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I guess you know firsthand??? You are an idiot mental midget!!!

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Let me tell you how we handled this back in my day. There was a little punk beating on one of my younger cousins. I came home early from high school one day and caught him in the act. I literally beat his face into the ground. When I was done with him, he was on his back covered in blood. His face still shows the effects decades later. The problem was solved very quickly.

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I like to note my exception to those the exempt verbal abuse. While this situation progressed to physical abuse, abuse of ANY kind on children must not be tolerated. One sanctuary that must exist for our children is school. Yes children say vicious things to one another; but that is, first, a learned trait and, second, unacceptable. The eating disorders, personality disorders, stress and physical and emotional toll it takes on our children inhibits or even prevents them from being all they can be. These children know not of sex and sexuality so the euphemistic "sissy" or more likely "homo" or "fag" is the adult collective "defamation" creating the negative connotations that fuel these slurs. I can guarantee you that if a child calls another a demeaning, racist, sexist or dis-empowering term it is because they have heard it first in their family or among their social network; including church, extended family and extracurricular activity. Remove the value of the slur through education AND confrontation and you re-empower the child; until that time protect them at all costs. Peace

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i see nothing wrong with him being a cheerleader. guys are stronger than girls are to do lifts catch people etc. maybe he did this to meet girls.

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Don't you stupid trolls have anything better to do then make up lies and act like idiots? What's funny is that in the real world people like you are such weenies you'd be too scared to say any of the dumb lies you're spouting here because you'd be afraid of people bullying you. Grow up you jerks.

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Truth, why don't you go to Germany and join the rest of the nazis since you think the same way they do? Wait, you can't. They were wiped off the map, just like you're going to be if you don't shut your racist, bigoted, mongoloid mouth and I hope to be one of the ones who'll do it.

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The mother should SUE the school district and the teens should be THROWN IN JAIL.

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Sue the bullies parents for damages (hit them where it hurts...the POCKETBOOK), let your son continue with the cheerleading and see if he also wants to try USA/ABF Boxing. He'll learn the basics, wear headgear during training and bouts, and he will only compete with boxers his same age and skill level!

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He joins Trent Lot, and Thad Cochran of Mississippi and the most famous of all George W. Bush! All cheerleaders!

This is America folks, stop the hate. Best cheerleader I ever saw was a boy. He was tormented in a southern red necked town.
When you start thinking you are above someone else, look up!

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One of these days, parents are going to take things into their own hands unless the bullying stops. I know how I would handle it.

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Hey Gerg - There are alot of Homosexuals in sports. You sound like a homo phobe so I thought I'd give you a heads up.

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Sue the School district? That's nuts, sue the parents. If parents are held responsible they will make sure their little bully plays nice!
Those children weren't born bigots, their parents taught them!

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