The recent news concerning the bullying behavior experienced by actress, Kim Novak, while she was a host at the Oscar's, started a plethora of thoughts invading my head! As I tried to slow the thought process down to decipher which came first, the chicken or the egg, I viewed this story in several lights. One, I feel for Ms. Novak in that she had to experience such hurtful remarks by grown adults and in such a venue is despicable. Secondly, the fact that Ms. Novak had not experienced such behavior until she was Eighty-one years old is, in my opinion, a miracle and she should consider herself quite lucky! According to an interview with Ms. Novak, she stated, "It really did throw me into a tailspin and it hit me hard…For days, I didn't leave the house, and it got to me like it gets kids and teenagers." (https://movies.yahoo.com/news/kim-novak-speaks-against-oscar-night-bullies-000542620.html) Now, Ms. Novak states, "I realized that I had to stand up not only for myself but for other people that don't have the courage to do so,…I feel like I have a mission." You go, girl!
While this was an eye opening experience for the 81 year-old, I say, welcome to the real world of the thousands of children that have to endure this type of behavior on a daily basis and without the feeling that they have any recourse. This occurs to hundreds of adults in the workplace as well as in their personal lives every single day. Bullying by the likes of Donald Trump, "Trump tweeted during the Oscars that Novak should "sue her plastic surgeon;"….a supposed man of prestige simply goes to show you that money cannot buy class or respect. Yet, where children are concerned, it is by both their peers and some adults that they must suffer the indignities and humiliation of bullying behavior that will affect them for the rest of their lives. Without the proper emotional tools, instilled self-esteem and, the knowledge that the behavior is not about them but about their aggressor, our children will continue to be affected by the pervasive bullying epidemic in our society.
If the subject of bullying only receives the proper attention due to a Hollywood story, so be it! Whatever will help bring our society into better awareness to effect positive change is always a good thing. Parents, it is one of your responsibilities to listen to your children and take action to safeguard both their physical and emotional well-being. Provide them the emotional tools they will need in order to navigate through their journey of life.
While this was an eye opening experience for the 81 year-old, I say, welcome to the real world of the thousands of children that have to endure this type of behavior on a daily basis and without the feeling that they have any recourse. This occurs to hundreds of adults in the workplace as well as in their personal lives every single day. Bullying by the likes of Donald Trump, "Trump tweeted during the Oscars that Novak should "sue her plastic surgeon;"….a supposed man of prestige simply goes to show you that money cannot buy class or respect. Yet, where children are concerned, it is by both their peers and some adults that they must suffer the indignities and humiliation of bullying behavior that will affect them for the rest of their lives. Without the proper emotional tools, instilled self-esteem and, the knowledge that the behavior is not about them but about their aggressor, our children will continue to be affected by the pervasive bullying epidemic in our society.
If the subject of bullying only receives the proper attention due to a Hollywood story, so be it! Whatever will help bring our society into better awareness to effect positive change is always a good thing. Parents, it is one of your responsibilities to listen to your children and take action to safeguard both their physical and emotional well-being. Provide them the emotional tools they will need in order to navigate through their journey of life.