Tuesday, February 9, 2010
In Our Opinion: The blame game
by Daily Hampshire Gazette
In Our Opinion: The blame game
by Daily Hampshire Gazette
Role models they are not. After a teen's suicide in South Hadley Jan. 14, some people picked up the same electronic tools that extend the reach of bullies to rail anonymously against girls they believe responsible for hounding Phoebe Prince to death.
Thanks to the Internet and social media like Facebook, bullies can now invade a victim's world around the clock. The mob never sleeps. And now, a new mob is targeting area young people believed to have mistreated Prince, a 15-year-old freshman newly arrived from Ireland. Their names, addresses and photos have been posted on the Internet in a new round of cyber-stalking.
People engaged in the new online threats may feel they possess a courage lacking in officials preoccupied with due process, fairness and long-term learning. It is hardly courage. Their words, like those of bullies anywhere, only seek to exert power over another person. We hope young people see this and recoil from it as much as they do mean comments heaped upon Phoebe Prince in person and online in the weeks before her death.
Americans are angry about a lot of things these days. Many believe their institutions have failed them. In the case of Prince's death, the school system stands in. In well-attended public meetings after Prince's death, some called for immediate action against students suspected of harassing Prince. Because this case involved minors, confidentiality issues and schools, it was guaranteed to proceed more slowly than people wanted.
But action did come last week, when Superintendent Gus Sayer announced that officials will summon several students to hearings over what he termed "very serious infractions" related to bullying. The students face the possibility of suspensions or expulsions. Further, their actions may be referred to police.
We believe the school system moved swiftly to track down facts about this case. After just three weeks, while probes by South Hadley police and the Northwestern district attorney's office continue, Principal Dan Smith was able last week to offer his initial findings, even as the school's work to hold people accountable continues.
It is against this picture of earnest but temperate inquiry that the new online mob's posturing would seem ridiculous - if it wasn't downright dangerous. Here is a sampling of the vulgarity-laced online posts that vow physical violence against anyone who taunted Prince: "If you can find them, I'm in." "I got an idea. BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM." "These girls need to be put in their place." "How we playing this? Facebook abuse or actual real scale chaos with a plan?" You can see why parents were alarmed and called police.
Once upon a time, before instant, two-way global communication, a community's grief was its own. Today, the South Hadley story is attracting the interest of Internet nomads, people who, in their posts, admit they are trolling the Web looking for "lulz," an online shorthand for the ability to laugh at other people.
Several of the worst online posts suggest the authors would have a hard time finding South Hadley on a map. "Lucky for these girls I'm in Texas," one wrote. "Do we have someone on the ground in that area? If you can locate the targets, I'm in," another wrote.
Yes, they do tend to sound like people who staggered away from an episode of "24" after chugging Red Bulls. And then decided to save America.
It is one thing to feel for a victim and want to prevent bad things from happening again - the stance of most of those who have turned out in the hundreds at public meetings in South Hadley over the past few weeks. It is another to adopt a "shoot first, ask questions later" mentality that lets people at their computers believe they have what it takes.
What they may have is trouble with the law. South Hadley Police Chief David LaBrie is pursuing the source of threatening online comments directed at students. The chief said last week he is seeking a subpoena for Facebook records. While he's unlikely to rein in such comments, we are glad he is pushing back.
By the time a new anti-bullying task force gets to work Feb. 23, the online vigilantes will be feeding off another community's misfortune. People who really care about solutions to bullying in the South Hadley school district will not have turned away.
When that session comes to order, it will be led by people who understand the difference between finding solutions and taking potshots.
They will get back to work - together in a room, not at their computers - on a problem that needs thought, patience and a willingness to reach out with a peaceful mind.
Thanks to the Internet and social media like Facebook, bullies can now invade a victim's world around the clock. The mob never sleeps. And now, a new mob is targeting area young people believed to have mistreated Prince, a 15-year-old freshman newly arrived from Ireland. Their names, addresses and photos have been posted on the Internet in a new round of cyber-stalking.
People engaged in the new online threats may feel they possess a courage lacking in officials preoccupied with due process, fairness and long-term learning. It is hardly courage. Their words, like those of bullies anywhere, only seek to exert power over another person. We hope young people see this and recoil from it as much as they do mean comments heaped upon Phoebe Prince in person and online in the weeks before her death.
Americans are angry about a lot of things these days. Many believe their institutions have failed them. In the case of Prince's death, the school system stands in. In well-attended public meetings after Prince's death, some called for immediate action against students suspected of harassing Prince. Because this case involved minors, confidentiality issues and schools, it was guaranteed to proceed more slowly than people wanted.
But action did come last week, when Superintendent Gus Sayer announced that officials will summon several students to hearings over what he termed "very serious infractions" related to bullying. The students face the possibility of suspensions or expulsions. Further, their actions may be referred to police.
We believe the school system moved swiftly to track down facts about this case. After just three weeks, while probes by South Hadley police and the Northwestern district attorney's office continue, Principal Dan Smith was able last week to offer his initial findings, even as the school's work to hold people accountable continues.
It is against this picture of earnest but temperate inquiry that the new online mob's posturing would seem ridiculous - if it wasn't downright dangerous. Here is a sampling of the vulgarity-laced online posts that vow physical violence against anyone who taunted Prince: "If you can find them, I'm in." "I got an idea. BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM." "These girls need to be put in their place." "How we playing this? Facebook abuse or actual real scale chaos with a plan?" You can see why parents were alarmed and called police.
Once upon a time, before instant, two-way global communication, a community's grief was its own. Today, the South Hadley story is attracting the interest of Internet nomads, people who, in their posts, admit they are trolling the Web looking for "lulz," an online shorthand for the ability to laugh at other people.
Several of the worst online posts suggest the authors would have a hard time finding South Hadley on a map. "Lucky for these girls I'm in Texas," one wrote. "Do we have someone on the ground in that area? If you can locate the targets, I'm in," another wrote.
Yes, they do tend to sound like people who staggered away from an episode of "24" after chugging Red Bulls. And then decided to save America.
It is one thing to feel for a victim and want to prevent bad things from happening again - the stance of most of those who have turned out in the hundreds at public meetings in South Hadley over the past few weeks. It is another to adopt a "shoot first, ask questions later" mentality that lets people at their computers believe they have what it takes.
What they may have is trouble with the law. South Hadley Police Chief David LaBrie is pursuing the source of threatening online comments directed at students. The chief said last week he is seeking a subpoena for Facebook records. While he's unlikely to rein in such comments, we are glad he is pushing back.
By the time a new anti-bullying task force gets to work Feb. 23, the online vigilantes will be feeding off another community's misfortune. People who really care about solutions to bullying in the South Hadley school district will not have turned away.
When that session comes to order, it will be led by people who understand the difference between finding solutions and taking potshots.
They will get back to work - together in a room, not at their computers - on a problem that needs thought, patience and a willingness to reach out with a peaceful mind.
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