COMMENTARY | Christian Helms, the Columbine-style shooter and school terrorist, was given six years on charges of attempted murder and carrying pipe bombs to his school in Socastee, S.C. 15-year-old Helms says bullying made him do it.
Helms was 14 when he shot and injured a school police officer and brought homemade bombs to school. The youth was charged as an adult. As per his writings, Helms idolized Columbine shooters Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris and Virginia Tech gunman Seung-Hui Cho. Helms also posted videos of homemade bombs and detonation devices on Youtube. According to officials, Helms had a hit list with about 20 names.
Helms claims that he was extensively bullied at school, because he had red hair. Doctors reports show a depressed young man with ADHD (Attention-Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder) and conduct (acting out, behavioral) issues. While it's difficult to gauge just how much bullying Helms actually experienced, his claims don't justify his actions.
Teasing isn't always bullying. Bullying has elements of exploitation, gang mentality, emotional abuse, physical oppression and violence. To make comments red hair, while ignorant and annoying, is not necessarily bullying.
Lots of kids watch the television show "South Park." It makes jokes about "ginger kids" (red-haired students). Is that bullying or just puerile humor? "South Park" is tacky, sarcastic and criticized by many adults. That is precisely why kids love it.
Bullying is a very real problem in schools. However, not every child that claims to be teased is being bullied. The bullying card is an easy one to play, especially those who are looking to blame someone else for their problems. If you say you are bullied, people may feel sorry for you and excuse your acting-out behavior. It can also be difficult to pinpoint bullying, and so it becomes the unprovable claim.
I have been a teacher for many years. I have seen supposedly "bullied" kids bait other students. They protest loudly and dramatically and the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Unfortunately, these students aren't always held responsible for their own actions. They use their bullying claims as justification and even leverage over other students and staff.
These students typically have parents that enable behavior problems. Parents cry foul and exaggerate every little incident, even inventing some, while ignoring the huge problems within themselves and their children. These kids have grown up thinking the rules don't apply to them. They project their own bullying tendencies onto others. The bullied kid becomes the bully.
This makes it difficult for to address real issues of bullying. Because some students cry wolf, it's hard to sort out the real bullying problems from the self-made ones. It also desensitizes us to bullying; kids who need help don't get it because it's being wasted on trumped-up issues.
Helms may have been bullied. Given his behavior issues, the fact that he blames his violence on others and his lack of personal accountability, he seems to be the bully, instead of the other way around. No matter what Helms faced at school, it doesn't excuse his behavior.
Marilisa Kinney Sachteleben writes from 22 years parenting four children and 25 years teaching K-8, special needs, emotionally impaired students, adult education and homeschool.
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