Last year, this mom’s son received a five-day out-of-school suspension for beating up a bully – one that had been tormenting him for years. She posted the story on Facebook which quickly went viral, sparking a discussion on whether or not violence is ever the answer. (1)
Kid Gets Five Day Suspension for Beating Up A Bully
Last December, Allison Arnall Davis posted a photo of her son Drew, who had just received a five-day out-of-school suspension for beating up a bully at school. The post went viral, fast, and has now been shared 144,000 times, and has over 600 comments. (1)
In her posts, she explains that she is not upset with her son at all, rather, she is angry with the school. (1)
“Five days of OSS for beating up the kid that has been tormenting and bullying him since middle school. I know as a parent I’m supposed to be upset with him for resorting to violence or getting suspended, but I’m not. Not even a little bit.” she wrote in her post. (1)
She went on to explain that retaliating violently against the bully was not her son’s first instinct. This bully and his friends had, in fact, been tormenting her son, her son’s friends, and even now her son’s younger brother, for years. At first, Drew did go to the school, but nothing was done. (1)
“When this kid has constantly threatened to beat Drew up along with several of his friends, the school did nothing. When this kid followed Drew down the hall threatening him and making fun of him AND it was all captured on video, the school did nothing,” she wrote. “... other kids told teachers and administrators that this kid was threatening Drew, the school did nothing. When this kid took to social media, voicemails, and testing threats, the school did nothing. When this kid threatened Drew over and over in every class they have together. The school did nothing.” (1)
She explains that the school had both boys sign a “no contact” agreement, but that did not stop the bully from teasing and threatening her son. Drew stopped going to the adults because he knew nothing would come of it. (1)
Arnall Davis even sent the school a long email explaining what was going on, and still, nothing changed. (1)
The Final Straw
She said Drew remained remarkably strong throughout the years of bullying, however, when the student threatened his younger brother, he finally decided to end the situation once and for all. (1)
The angry mother explained that her son hit the bully three times, and that was enough to teach him a lesson. The bullying, from the student and his other friends, stopped immediately. Of course, Drew was in big trouble when the school found out. It appears as though the bully received no punishment. (1)
Internet Support
Most of the people were supportive of Drew’s decision to take matters into his own hands. Many had either been in a similar situation before or had children who experienced non-stop bullying, without help from the school at all. (1)
“Good for him. I would remind the school that Drew has the right to defend himself. I went through this with my son and we have had the same problem with my grandson.” wrote one commenter. (1)
“I don’t agree with violence but when no one helps you you gotta do what you gotta do to stop a bully. Kids that bully usually are whomps he got what he deserved. Shame on the school system for not doing something.” wrote another. (1)
Some commenters, however, pointed out that we only have one side of the story. They say that no matter the situation, resorting to violence should never be praised.
“I don’t condone bullying in any way, shape, or form, but you people understand that you’re getting one side to this story, correct? There is a lot of proof from other students, that this “victim” isn’t so innocent in the situation.” said one commenter. (1)
What do you think? If you’re beating up a bully, is violence okay? Or, is that just responding to bullying by becoming the bully yourself?
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