bully
verb bul·ly
Simple Definition of bully
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: to frighten, hurt, or threaten (a smaller or weaker person) : to act like a bully toward (someone)
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: to cause (someone) to do something by making threats or insults or by using force
Synonym Discussion of bully
intimidate, cow, bulldoze, bully, browbeat mean to frighten into submission. intimidate implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another <intimidated by so many other bright freshmen>. cow implies reduction to a state where the spirit is broken or all courage is lost <not at all cowed by the odds against making it in show business>. bulldoze implies an intimidating or an overcoming of resistance usually by urging, demands, or threats <bulldozed the city council into approving the plan>. bully implies intimidation through threats, insults, or aggressive behavior <bullied into giving up their lunch money>. browbeat implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful, or contemptuous treatment <browbeat the witness into a contradiction>.
To follow up on another recent blog from someone I greatly admire and respect regarding fear, I wanted to write about one of the factors of fear. Bullying or Bullies. We’ve all known at least one or two. In this day where we now have to include “cyber bullying” that list is growing. I still worry however about the real life bullies.
We in the disabled community are at greater risk for being bullied. Many who are disabled, already feel they “don’t have a voice” or have lost their ability to fight back. They also have other fears these bullies prey on. Despicable you say? It most certainly is yet it happens all too frequently.
Worse than being bullied? Finally having the courage to reach out for help and having the bully themselves confront you. “Are you afraid of me?” they ask. What do you think that answer would be? How exactly do you think they would feel? Bullied yet again? You bet. Yet the Bully can walk away and proudly proclaim “I asked and they said they’re not afraid.”
Am I the only one who sees the problem in this scenario? My favorite? When their “team” decides to “handle” it. Bullied again? Oh yes. This time by a group.
We should have no tolerance for bullying. There is no need. As a society it does nothing to further our growth or benefit us. Our children need protection, our disabled community needs protection, everyone needs protection from bullying. everyone should also know that if they do muster the courage to ask for help, they will not in essence, be bullied again.
In the words of the late, great Nancy Regan, “Just say no!” This time to Bullying!
~Willow’s Mom
wilamenapants 
Excellent post – especially relevant in this election season, when some of our presidential wannabes seem
to form their entire campaigns around that very tactic. We must all set a better example for the children
and sadly the adults around us.
Give Willow a big smooch for me,
Beth Putman
Anchorage, AK
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Smooches delivered!
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Sending hugs and good wishes!
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Thank you!
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the only reason i can see why people bully is that the Bullies themselves received some false sense of importance….Perhaps it is them who are lacking….
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I think one of the saddest things about bullying is that so many people, who would never do it themselves, seem to enjoy watching someone else be a bully….and so many others are afraid to step in to stop it. We are frequently bystanders and not interrupters.
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Anybody who would bully a person who is disabled should be incapable of looking himself in the mirror that is so pathetic. The fact that a disabled person has to write something like this to expose these pathetic bullies makes me want to puke.
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Well, this blog entry couldn’t be more timely. Bullying is not strength – it is a show of weak character. You have nothing to fear from bullies – you have more character in your little finger!! One of the things I admire about you is your willingness to step up to the plate and put it out there. I think that’s what makes Willow so strong – she picks it up from you.
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Thank you Karen.
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