Internet Rescues Bullied First-Grade Girl

[Stevey M]

Hm... i don't understand...

What did the internet do... other than justhaving lots of people saying: Meh... do what you want to do?

I mean, yeah reinforcing someone who did nothing from, and helping him feeling better is nice and all, but how exactly did the 'net save her?

I was expecting something different. This doesn't really seem that "strong" to me.

The article this newspost links to explains that element a bit better. Basically, her mother set up a blog which got an overwhelming number of responses each day. Like, female Star Wars fans saying she was awesome, and that it's great she likes Star Wars...that sorta thing. Every day they'd sit together, read the comments, and from there she was motivated to start taking her flask but to school.

 

[Avayu]

This is just an awesome story.

At the same time, it's terrifying how some gender prejudices we hoped were rooted out long ago are still at work. A little girl defies an outdated gender role that girls only like things that are pink, cute or have something to do with horses and wants to have a Star Wars waterbottle. Because of that she is bullied by other children, pressing her back into that gender role so effectively that she would rather have a pink bottle. That's just sad.

All the better that some people of the internet are standing up and showing her that liking Star Wars (and other "un-girlish" things) is perfectly acceptable.

 

[mad825]

Interesting, but honestly I don't really get why there would be a perception that "Star Wars is for Boys".

you are thinking too hard.

it's just typical children discrimination, don't tell me that you have never done anything like this when you were a little child.

 

[UnmotivatedSlacker]

Hm... i don't understand...

What did the internet do... other than justhaving lots of people saying: Meh... do what you want to do?

I mean, yeah reinforcing someone who did nothing from, and helping him feeling better is nice and all, but how exactly did the 'net save her?

I was expecting something different. This doesn't really seem that "strong" to me.

I guess all the attention got the bullying to stop, otherwise yeah don't see what they did.

 

[MrMisfit]

It's stories like this that keeps my faith in humanity (in general) strong.

 

[s0m3th1ng]

Really? For teasing about a star wars cup? You want them ETHNIC CLEANSED? Holy Hyperbole batman.

I hate bullying as much as the next person but this ain't bullying. Now, I can't be sure as to the extent of what their teasing was so take that with a chunk of salt. The internet has a hair trigger these days.

Now this girl has learned that to get what she wants she must tell everyone every problem she has instead of dealing with it HERSELF. GOGO ME GENERATION.

 

[WanderingFool]

WAIT!? The Internet HELPED someone? Wow...

 

[Mumorpuger]

She's adorable!

 

[Ben Jackson]

This really did make my day. It is great to see these stories around. God, if I was a boy who was her age I'd be praising her for liking star wars, not making fun of her

 

[Evilsanta]

Awesome. Humanity isnt totally composed by assholes and idoits...

And good for her Star Wars if for both boys and girls.

 

[thenumberthirteen]

I too was teased for my Darth Maul lunch box and bottle. Where were you Internet?

 

[TheDoctor455]

D'aaaawwww.
Its nice to know that the internet is good for something other than watching videos of people being kicked in the balls.

 

[Irridium]

I really love how well this turned out. Good on you internet.

But still, why can't girls like Star Wars? Thats a pretty silly frame of mind to have. Then again they are children, but still.

 

[ProtoChimp]

This makes me just so damn happy. YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY

 

[Shihoudani]

+1 internet for all those who gave this girl the courage she needs to stand up for what she believes in, that being that Star Wars is awesome!

 

[Therumancer]

Interesting, but honestly I don't really get why there would be a perception that "Star Wars is for Boys".

you are thinking too hard.

it's just typical children discrimination, don't tell me that you have never done anything like this when you were a little child.

LIKE that, yes, I think we all did sadly.

The issue isn't the behavior itself, but the specifics of this case. Why it kind of surprises me is that when I was 11 playing Star Wars with other kids, including girls, was not uncommon. A more accurate argument would be "you have to be Princess Leia, girls can't be Jedi!" or something of the sort.

Some of my few memories of the time were things like Gym Teachers doing variations on "Bombardment" and "Dodge Ball" where instead he'd call it "Star Wars" to get people psyched up and have everyone running around throwing nerf balls at each other and swinging very oversized boffer weapons (think pillows) around.

Experiences vary, but I guess it's simply that I just can't see it. Oh sure, if I was that age she'd definatly be a pile of cooties waiting to happen, the whole boy/girl thing at that age is obvious, but when it comes to that specific avenue of bullying it gets me.

 

[RheynbowDash]

GODDAMMIT. That is the most awesome thing i've read on the net today.

May the Force be with you Katie.