Everyday, thousands of children are forced to contend with bullying in various forms. Sometimes it can attack their self-esteem and confidence, sometimes it can make them scared to go to school. In some cases, children can even be driven to suicide as a way of escaping the trauma.
Allison Arnall Davis of Springfield, Missouri, recently went viral after passionately defending her son Drew, who received an out-of-school suspension for “beating up the kid that has been tormenting and bullying him since middle school.”
According to the mom, her son had suffered bullying from the unidentified student for years. In December 2019, Drew felt that enough was enough and took the matter into his own hands.
Allison’s Facebook begins like this:
”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.
For years, the school has failed Drew.
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.
When 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 texting threats, the school did nothing.
When this kid threatened Drew over and over in every class they have together, the school did nothing.
Not once has the school ever punished the kid that has threatened and bullied Drew over and over.
In middle school, Drew was afraid to walk down the halls because a swarm of this kid and his minions would make fun of and threaten Drew.
He quit talking to the adults about it because they never disciplined the bully and it just made the situation worse.
I sent the school a lengthy email at the beginning of the year begging them to do something because Drew refused to talk to adults at school about it because he knew it would do him no good.
Drew had four classes with this kid and he would not leave Drew alone.
Their solution and response was to have him and his bully sign a ‘no contact’ contract.
Seriously?
I’m pretty sure I rolled my eyes.
And, like Drew, I gave up on trying to get the school to actually do something that would stop this kid from bullying Drew.
So…
When this kid threatened Drew (while on the bus) and then moved on to making fun of his dad and then threatening Jackson, his 11-year-old brother, Drew decided he would quit relying on the school and the adults who are supposed to protect him.
He decided HE would do something.
Three punches and his bully screamed like a baby, his minion friends shut up, and this morning the bully wouldn’t even look at him.
Problem solved.
As a parent, I know I’m supposed to be upset with him for resorting to violence or getting suspended, but I’m not.
Not even a little bit.”
Not long after posting the powerful text, Allison’s post exploded on Facebook – maybe because it was new take on such an important issue for parents everywhere. Her post got 260,000 reactions, 145,000 shares, and hundreds of comments.
“I don’t agree with violence,” one commenter wrote, “but when no one helps you you gotta do what you gotta do to stop a bully… Shame on the school system for not doing something.”
I’m so sorry your son had to go through this and the adults that are supposed to protect him failed! However, kudos to him for sticking up for himself and his family. Drew you are brave and an overcomer❤️
Despite the fierce opposition to it, bullying remains a serious problem in schools the world over. We all know it can have catastrophic effects on kids’ lives, and school’s really do need to take responsibility and protect all their students. Make sure you share this article on Facebook if you agree!
