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Bullies, Loneliness, And Self-Mutilation
WOUNDED BULLIES
“The first act of violence that patriarchy demands of males is not violence toward women. Instead patriarchy demands of all males that they engage in acts of psychic self-mutilation, that they kill off the emotional parts of themselves.”
-bell hooks
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In addition to our duty to protect those being bullied, we might also realize that every bully is internally wounded, for we cannot numb ourselves to the oppression of others without losing the capacity to feel the depths of our own hearts. Even if a bully wins all the tinsel trophies of the culture, those who cannot empathize with the suffering of others live out their days in the smallest prison cell of them all- a frozen heart.
— Jim Rigby
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“Patriarchy needs god to justify injustice.”
— Nawal El Saadawi
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…. When the authorities also are stupid (which may occur), they will tend to side with the stupid children, and acquiesce, at least tacitly, in rough treatment for those who show intelligence. In that case, a society will be produced in which all the important positions will be won by those whose stupidity enables them to please the herd.