topic Re: I'm Afraid This Is Only The Beginning in Community Chat

I'm Afraid This Is Only The Beginning

Marp2 — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 14:50:23 GMT

(CNN) -- Fears over Ebola have made the jump from pundits to the playground.

On Friday, a group of students attacked two of their peers at I.S. 318 in the Bronx while yelling "Ebola" at the brothers who had recently returned from Senegal, the boys' father told CNN Newsroom Tuesday.

The New York Department of Education confirms the incident occurred, saying the boys were pushed and shoved.

Ousmane Drame, the boys' father, said the boys felt so upset by their experience that they want to go back to Africa.

"They were made fun of by the children (who) started yelling, 'Ebola. Ebola. Ebola. Africa. Africa," Drame said his sons told him.

Charles Cooper of the African Advisory Council, a local advocacy group, said that during lunch, one of the boys was jumped by the students who had been calling him "Ebola." When his older brother intervened, the brother also was assaulted.

Drame said classmates refused to play with his sons in gym.

"We're done playing with you. You have Ebola," he said one of the bullies told his sons. "You sit down. ... They don't want to play with them. Nobody is close to them."

http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/28/us/ebola----...S%3A+Top+Stories%29

Re: I'm Afraid This Is Only The Beginning

pommom — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 14:51:05 GMT

so, so sad

Re: I'm Afraid This Is Only The Beginning

Melania — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 14:53:53 GMT

It is heartbreaking.

Re: I'm Afraid This Is Only The Beginning

GrettaGarbled — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 14:55:39 GMT

I can understand this happening with children. They learn it from their ignorant, low information parents.

Re: I'm Afraid This Is Only The Beginning

kdgn — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 14:56:22 GMT

The adults spread the fears, the children pay for them.

Re: I'm Afraid This Is Only The Beginning

QueenDanceALot — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 15:01:34 GMT

Dreadful.

It's one thing to be concerned when our system for handling those who have been exposed to this disease seems to be less than adequate, it's quite another to spread unfounded fears to children.

What is wrong with people?

Now I understand why some posters were afraid that people from West Africa would be treated like early AIDS patients were.

I lose faith in people more and more every day.

Re: I'm Afraid This Is Only The Beginning

Lipstickdiva — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 15:02:10 GMT

On 10/29/2014 kdgn said:
The adults spread the fears, the children pay for them.

This is along the lines of what I was going to say. Adults aren't bothering to get educated about this so they just spread the fear down.

I know a guy who is supposed to fly to another state for his job. One of his kids told him that he shouldn't go because he could catch ebola from being on a plane with someone.

He and his wife were both so proud of their daughter for being aware of current events like this and knowing what is going on. Instead of the parents educating themselves about this, they both told her if Americans were still being infected, he'd forego the trip. SMH

Re: I'm Afraid This Is Only The Beginning

dooBdoo — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 15:05:02 GMT

On 10/29/2014 KittyLouWhoToo said:
Dreadful.

It's one thing to be concerned when our system for handling those who have been exposed to this disease seems to be less than adequate, it's quite another to spread unfounded fears to children.

What is wrong with people?

Now I understand why some posters were afraid that people from West Africa would be treated like early AIDS patients were.

I lose faith in people more and more every day.

Thanks, Kitty. Many of us were mocked for expressing that worry.

I'm so sad, so upset to see our worries turned to reality.

Re: I'm Afraid This Is Only The Beginning

brii — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 15:06:15 GMT

There is no excuse to be uninformed today.

People should be ashamed of themselves. Kids repeat what they hear.

Re: I'm Afraid This Is Only The Beginning

millieshops — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 15:19:22 GMT

Very sad, not surprised.

People generally are upset about ebola and ignoring facts. That translates into homes and easily reaches down to children, some of whom act as bullies.

So sad for the child as well as for the bullies who just have no idea about the realities of ebola in this country.

BTW- 72 cheers for our medical personnel - those who've volunteered to go to the source, those who've cared for the victims here, and those who have themselves recovered and gone on to donate their blood with all its healing power. That's how a country with an evolved medical system conquers disease.

Re: I'm Afraid This Is Only The Beginning

Preds — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 15:25:12 GMT

On 10/29/2014 KittyLouWhoToo said:
Dreadful.

It's one thing to be concerned when our system for handling those who have been exposed to this disease seems to be less than adequate, it's quite another to spread unfounded fears to children.

What is wrong with people?

Now I understand why some posters were afraid that people from West Africa would be treated like early AIDS patients were.

I lose faith in people more and more every day.

I agree. I just want to kick the parents behinds for allowing/teaching their children to do this to other children.

Re: I'm Afraid This Is Only The Beginning

apple1964 — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 15:26:22 GMT

Society has changed and not for the better. This is horrible and hateful.

Re: I'm Afraid This Is Only The Beginning

DowntonAbbey — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 15:26:49 GMT

Such a shame. We live in a world that likes to bully. Such a shame.

Re: I'm Afraid This Is Only The Beginning

Say Nay — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 15:31:43 GMT

I posted about the growing prejudice African immigrants are facing days ago and no one responded. Children are being pulled from schools because they are African and cough, panicking teachers and administrators.

Where is the ACLU?

Re: I'm Afraid This Is Only The Beginning

Remee — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 15:33:08 GMT

Ignorance. Begins with the parents. ""Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it."" -Proverbs 22:6

Re: I'm Afraid This Is Only The Beginning

scotttie — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 15:34:30 GMT

This is terrible, but kids will find any reason to bully someone. Kids are just vicious at times this is nothing new. Had a recent bad personal experience and there was no ebola involved.

Re: I'm Afraid This Is Only The Beginning

Remee — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 15:43:26 GMT

Scottie, so sorry you had a personal experience with bullying yourself. Hopefully one day this will not be a problem any longer.

I posted also because I wanted to compliment you on your tag line. Been a while since I have seen or read it and it brings back pleasant memories !!

Love Mr. Burns' ! Began reading him with my mother as a child. She's been gone a very, very long time now. Thanks for the wonderful memories !!

Blessings.

Re: I'm Afraid This Is Only The Beginning

Free2be — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 15:50:55 GMT

It stems from adults who can't be bothered to use their common sense, to take any time to hear what is real and accept it and have an attraction to drama. They wait to be told what to think by others and if it strikes some emotional cord, then it sounds right to them.

Too often the emotional cord struck taps their ego strength and/or fear so they lash out or ridicule. The children learn from this but they're also listening to the misinformation with their parents.

This is so with many critically important issues.

Consider your news sources and be careful that you aren't part of the problem.

Re: I'm Afraid This Is Only The Beginning

chrystaltree — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 15:51:34 GMT

That's unfortunate and terrible for the children but it's to be expected. The general public isn't as informed as we would like them to be and kids hear snipets here and there. They pick up information and attitudes from their parents. Look, teasing and bullying has always existed in schools and on playgrounds. Kids who are "different" are always the victims and it's no different with this Ebola situation.

Re: I'm Afraid This Is Only The Beginning

Jig Saw — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 15:53:19 GMT

Bullies have been around since the beginning of time.