A personal poem about how my daughter and granddaughters helped change school policy after a poor decision was made by the school board in regards to bullying.

BALLAD OF THE SCHOOL BOARD BULLIES
24-APR-2024

Have you ever pondered the relationship between yourself and others?
Do you express support, and build rapport? Or are you the one who smothers?

In a public meeting at a school tonight,
Lines were drawn between wrong and right.

You might be wondering what’s the issue.
I’ll wait a second, go get a tissue.

My four youngest girls made a stand,
With opinions only, they learned first-hand.

They’ve been bullied all along in school.
Is it because in truth, they’re nobody’s fool?

The school board planned an assembly, Featuring a famous actor.
All of a sudden, without any warning, it became an overnight disaster.

The talk was about bullying, and I will admit. The subject is close to my heart.
For my grandchildren and others, whose voices were smothered, it seemed like a wonderful start.

For a person of fame, to come to the school, (as someone who’s been bullied himself),
And talk about why, it’s no shame to cry, and how to be kind to oneself.

But the school board planned a decisive band, and with a unanimous vote,
Informed students and staff (in a major gaff), bullying is what they promote!

The assembly was canceled and with a show of their hands,
Insulted students and faculty straight-laced to trans.

The guest speaker himself was put on a shelf for the lifestyle choices he made.
And with vacillation, the adults in the room were fearful of what he portrayed.

A TV star and author, Maulik Pancholy, (who is admittedly gay),
Was shown great contempt, (by school board bullies) in a blatant act of foul play.

The backlash was strong, and a special meeting was called to confront the situation.
The teacher’s addresses and the students who spoke have earned my admiration.

My daughter spoke first with unrivaled swagger,
And confronted the board like a mad mother badger.

All three of her children were silenced with threats from bullying peers.
But bigotry on the school board prevented them from stopping the jeers.

She made special note of something heartbreaking, which I find particularly hair-raising.
When two of the three tried to end their life, they explicitly blamed bullying as the cause of their strife.

When Dova looked in the eye of each of each board member,
She relived the harassment of being transgender.

Dehumanized, harassed, and even assaulted,
The board members’ inaction made her feel faulted.
And she tried to end her life.

Her sync and emotional plea, of not if, but when, someone tries and succeeds,
Ended with bloody hands on the board, as if they did the deed.

The birthday wish for Lexi was having not to be there on April 24,
But that all changed when she saw the people there, all showing their support.

She spoke of hopes and dreams, not unlike everyone else,
But her dreams were shattered by bullying in the form of figurative belts.

The one who twice tried suicide said “I’ve learned my lesson and won’t do it again.”
Has asked the board to reconsider the messages that they send.

The message was clear when Isa spoke in words beyond her years.
Bullied every day so badly, that campus police interfered.

The board told her to be silent and they missed a good opportunity.
For silence is power, and she yielded her time with one question for the community.

She asked the room to stand with her, in silent solidarity for the staff and fellow students.
While the school board sat in silence, in quiet jurisprudence.

The board was called out with deep-felt humility,
And put in place for their unrespectful bigotry.

The vote was rescinded with a clear resolution.
And I stand in awe of everyone’s contribution.

They’ve reinstated the speaker, the assembly goes on!
Maulik Pancholy can address the school and remind them of the Golden Rule.