Prelude.
Looking back on the experiences of my youth, it used to require a certain set of characteristics to thrive as a bully. At the core it took face to face threat of Violence and an aggressive confrontational persona. But today the internet makes it simple for almost anyone to graduate from cowering weakling to kicking virtual sand in the face of friends and strangers in no time. All done in the comfortable anonymity of cyberspace.
But it was Jimmy Wong, a 24 year-old singer that showed me a great example of creativity that can be deployed with the same tools that the so-called cyber bullies are exploiting so freely. The 24 year-old singer, and up-and-coming YouTube sensation, wrote and recorded "The Asians in the Library Song" in response to Alexandra Wallace's video. Here's part of the chorus.
Looking back on the experiences of my youth, it used to require a certain set of characteristics to thrive as a bully. At the core it took face to face threat of Violence and an aggressive confrontational persona. But today the internet makes it simple for almost anyone to graduate from cowering weakling to kicking virtual sand in the face of friends and strangers in no time. All done in the comfortable anonymity of cyberspace.
But it was Jimmy Wong, a 24 year-old singer that showed me a great example of creativity that can be deployed with the same tools that the so-called cyber bullies are exploiting so freely. The 24 year-old singer, and up-and-coming YouTube sensation, wrote and recorded "The Asians in the Library Song" in response to Alexandra Wallace's video. Here's part of the chorus.
I pick up my phone and sing...
Ching Chong, it means I love you
Ling Long, I really want you
Ting Tong, I don't actually know what that means
Ching Chong, it means I love you
Ling Long, I really want you
Ting Tong, I don't actually know what that means
the lrics are funny and good-spirited, and effectively turn the tables on the original rant. And the song itself has a catchy hook, has been viewed about 800,000 times, and is now for sale on iTunes.
When I was a kid, here's one thing I never thought of saying to a bully who was about to pummel me:
"Hey, don't mess with me. I've got a quirky sense of humor, a great singing voice, and I know how to code!"
Jimmy Wong and many others are proving those types of creative skills could be a decent way to put up a defense.
I am a middle school counselor and in the weeks to come I am going to address (rant) on this most salient of school issues. One that parents complain about more than any other
When I was a kid, here's one thing I never thought of saying to a bully who was about to pummel me:
"Hey, don't mess with me. I've got a quirky sense of humor, a great singing voice, and I know how to code!"
Jimmy Wong and many others are proving those types of creative skills could be a decent way to put up a defense.
I am a middle school counselor and in the weeks to come I am going to address (rant) on this most salient of school issues. One that parents complain about more than any other
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