A beef with bullies

PATRICK Carlyon’s own perception seems particularly pertinent in pointing out the label of bully “as a weapon lies in its perception” (“Less is more with bullies”, Opinion, ¼).

However, whether “power” is implicit in that label, or moreover, can be substantiated as “fact”, is not only a matter of semantic interpretation, but also I contend, depends on the status in society of those involved.

A supposedly powerful and respected person who is alleged as a bully is usually more “armed” to dismiss such an allegation as baseless, and be believed, especially if the person alleging it is in a less powerful and respected position.

In the 1950s and 60s, bullies were part of life, and one tried to ignore them.

If I’ve learned anything over my 70-plus years, it’s that there are far more decent and kind people across the social spectrum than bullies-though sometimes, it is difficult to discover them.