District on viral photo: 'It's not bullying - it's students having fun'
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NAMPA, Idaho (KBOI) -- When this photo showed up on a Facebook page, it made waves in cyberspace.
Is it really a photo of members of a high school wrestling team in Nampa bullying one of their own?
The photo was taken at Columbia High School in Nampa.
As soon as they found out about it, school district officials checked into the situation. They say it's not a case of bullying, but rather a case of high school kids goofing around.
"When that photo was brought to our attention we immediately investigated it," said Nampa School District spokeswoman Allison Westfall. "We talked to the students, the coach and the parents. It's not hazing, it's not bullying. It's students having fun."
Westfall says there's no disciplinary action being taken. In fact, she says it provided a teachable moment about the power and perception of social media.
"For the public, don't believe everything you see on social media. we thank those people who sent us the picture and asked is this true?," she said. "And the (lesson) for students and families is to have a conversation about what's being put out on the social media and how it could be perceived by people who weren't there and what they could think about."
A photograph can create an illusion. And in this day and age, that illusion can go viral.
Is it really a photo of members of a high school wrestling team in Nampa bullying one of their own?
The photo was taken at Columbia High School in Nampa.
As soon as they found out about it, school district officials checked into the situation. They say it's not a case of bullying, but rather a case of high school kids goofing around.
"When that photo was brought to our attention we immediately investigated it," said Nampa School District spokeswoman Allison Westfall. "We talked to the students, the coach and the parents. It's not hazing, it's not bullying. It's students having fun."
Westfall says there's no disciplinary action being taken. In fact, she says it provided a teachable moment about the power and perception of social media.
"For the public, don't believe everything you see on social media. we thank those people who sent us the picture and asked is this true?," she said. "And the (lesson) for students and families is to have a conversation about what's being put out on the social media and how it could be perceived by people who weren't there and what they could think about."
A photograph can create an illusion. And in this day and age, that illusion can go viral.
At this point, I would only believe a video of the victim there in the chair. If this was "fun" then why aren't there pics of the other kids tied up? Why is there a red mark on the stomach of the victim, and why are the faces blurred out if the school thought this was truly just for "fun" and nothing serious. Sure, if it was something say a video for health class that's anti-bullying, I've seen DOZENS and have participated in one myself. But this looks too legit, too much like a cover up. Where's the kid that was tied to that chair? In the pictures that aren't blurred, the face looks like actual pain. Real pain, and the look in the eyes of everyone around him is too frightening to just shrug off.
In my clinical opinion as a therapist, the student who is being restrained appears to be in distress. If this is just "students having fun," then why are their faces blurred in the photo here (and don't say "because they're minors.) And where are the other photos, before/after, etc., where it is clearly evident that this is "kids goofing around?" Why has Austin's Facebook page been taken down? Austin Tweeted the photo himself, and everyone has seen their faces (unblurred.) If you consider this to be a teachable moment, would you also describe some students "having fun" staging a rape scene as a teachable moment? Your school district is in serious need of outside investigation and evaluation. Your teaching methods are questionable at best, and your condescending attitude about the gravity of this incident is exactly why bullying continues. It is the responsibility of the adults, particularly those in the educational system, to stop the culture of bullying. I'm sure these boys' parents are trying to laugh it off as well. Any educator with a functioning brain cell knows that the victims of bullying are afraid to tell anyone for a multitude of reasons. Let's play a game, and pretend that these are just "boys being boys." In that case, these "little angels" are in no way mature enough to attend even the Idaho community colleges. Thanks to social media (including Google images,) people everywhere will be see and continue to watch this story. You may want to rethink that "no disciplinary action" stance you were so quick to decide.
It is not funny or silly. All the kids including the poster should be punished. These kids did something inappropriate and insensitive and made a joke out of something not funny. What's next for them pretending to rape a girl and posting it?
SO I've read tons of posts all over the internet from people screaming for justice or people defending the wrestlers that took the picture. I don't know what exactly happened, since I was not there. I think there are still some very important questions and answers looming about this whole thing. These wrestlers believed what they did was funny, and posted it without hesitation to their own social media accounts. So then why have we not heard from any of these individuals? I've seen supposed comments from the tied up kids mother. Also, from other students of Columbia HS. But when these guys took the photo AND posted it to the world....why can't they do the same with an explanation (or apology, if appropriate)? Instead we're left only with the words of ONE district spokesperson and the reporter from KBOI2...
Seeing as I found the photo on tumblr, I naturally decided to look for verification, and found this.
Instead of disproving the photo, it's made me certain that it's bullying.
The school's osik'la explanation just works against it. Saying they're 'just goofing around' translates pretty clearly into the 'boy will be boys' osik that gets tossed around whenever one kid gets too roughed up by his 'friends' and complains to a teacher or parent. It's not goofing around. It's shabla bullying, or at the very least, a highly unpleasant hazing ritual (which in my mind still counts as bullying).
Yes, social media blows osik out of proportion instantly; that much is true. But in this case? I think social media got it right.
The district's "explanation" is a primary element of the problem. If anyone can call something like this "kids just having fun/goofing around," they need an IQ check. This sort of behavior is NOT acceptable under any circumstances. I also agree with other comments that the bound child certainly does not seem to be "goofing around" or "having fun." WTF is the matter with these people? Are they putting testosterone and/or meth in the water in Idaho?
 @Elaine AlbertsonÂ
Oh Elaine, let it go. Â For "fun" as a 12 yr old we chased it each other around the neighborhood pelting each other with rock hard non ripe fruit. Â We went home covered in bruises, but happy.
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i remember the guys on the wrestling team holding down various members and ripping farts in someones' face. Â My boyfriend was the recipient of a shart. Â That made for a lovely night while he heaved for hours.
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Later i dated a football player and skateboarder.... all of them did stupid foul things in the name of "funny" and they were funny. Â To the immature teenage brain.
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Just watch Beavis & Butthead, Southpark and Family Guy for a clue in. Â FYI - I can't stand Family guy.
 @grey7399  @Elaine Albertson Grey: There's welt's on his stomach and they are pulling his hair. This is hardly funny. I was hazed as a kid. It was hardly funny. Just because it may have happened before makes very little difference.
Did they talk to the kid who was bound and gagged? And if they did, was he alone or in the group? In either case, he probably might've just said they were goofing around for fear of retaliation. So no matter what, all the kids in the photo (except the one who was bound and gagged) should be severely punished.
 @Dee Stoneham Or he may have been goofing off with them and acting. We don't know. If this has been investigated by the school and all of the kids and their parents are aware and agree, let it go. Not everything in life has a victim.
@Amy @Dee Stoneham I've seen the non-blurred photo and this kid was certainly not acting or goofing around with them. Those bruises and welts coupled with the expression on his face and tense body language show that he was held there against his consent and that he was certainly not approving of the actions being done to him.
The lesson here: don't assume. Sounds like someone assumed it was bullying and sent it to others claiming it was bullying. Crazy for people to suggest punishment for the students in the photo because other people jumped to an incorrect conclusion.
@Jason Rahall If you look at the originals and the back story of the investigation, this is clearly bullying and intimidation. One report said that boy claimed he was goofing around but it was dismissed because he was clearly being harassed into saying so. One of these jocks is on roll for a football scholarship and the school would probably not let this get in the way of that happening. The bruises he sustained and the expression on his face, coupled with the general body language clearly show that he was there against his will and was certainly NOT enjoying the treatment he received. Any defence is making excuses for this behaviour. Even if it was consensual, this should never have taken place and is extremely inappropriate behaviour.
I saw the pic on FB, and I saw the expression on the face of the young man who was trussed up like a turkey. Â It did NOT look like he was having fun . Â I was afraid that this would be swept under the rug because one of the other boys is a jock with a football scholarship. Â I don't trust the powers that be in Columbia High School to take care of business. Â This rates a legal inquiry.
http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/bullying-attack-leaves-11-old-coma-213221930--abc-news-topstories.htmlEven if this Columbia High photo is a joke, or the team members are having fun, 'messing around', this story is why it is still completely unacceptable to not have those students reprimanded.
Bullying Attack Leaves Boy in Coma by Ben Waldron, ABC News BlogLook it up.Â
Seriously our little ones in the younger grades get into trouble for playing "cowboys and indians"; "soldier"; or "hero" which are all things most of us used to play back in the day but is not allowed in todays schools. And this is ok...I don't get it...and I know they reported that this was just a game but do you think a kid being bullied will speak loud about it? He might be afraid to say anything. I think this is MORE unexceptable than the games kids play...take a better look at this. People in our society try to out do others with photos and behavior. If this is labled as acceptable what will kids in this district do next?????
This is not a teachable moment! Â If it does teach anything to kids, or parents for that matter, it is that bullying should be taken as a joke! Â It traveled all over facebook at rapid speeds, and no one I talked to about it thought it was a joke. Â They thought it was sick, and that something should happen to these kids for pulling such a prank. Â As the mother of a child that was bullied, I do not find it funny in the least bit! Â How dare the Nampa school district say something like this was all in fun!!! Â It makes my stomach turn!!! Â I have also heard it was a hazing incident. Â Why do you think most colleges have outlawed hazing? Â Because it can cause serious injury and even death!!! Â This gives others ideas, and harms children who have actually been bullied!!! Â Idaho has anti bullying laws, why doesn't the Nampa school district look into them!!! Â I am ashamed to say I even went to school in that district!!!
Are you kidding? They should get in trouble! Â I don't care if it didn't actually turn out to be bullying or hazing, they need to learn that you just don't post things like that on the internet! I am EXTREMELY disappointed in the district for just brushing it off as "having fun."Â
If you post a picture like that online, you might as well actually bully/haze a kid. Posting something like that is on par with supporting the act. It doesn't matter if it was meant for fun. It doesn't matter if they were all friends and no harm was meant. You just. Don't. Do that.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?