The Wounded Spirit by Frank Peretti may be one of the most important books you'll ever read...
Bullies are the bane of everyone's existence. Frank Peretti's small book amply demonstrates how many adults were victimized by bullies as they grew up. And yes, there are plenty of adult bullies around. Most of us know at least one.
But, as adults, most us of have learned how to cope with them whether we encounter them socially, or in the workplace. Unfortunately, our youngsters haven't learned those coping skills, yet. What they have learned, because they've heard it so often, is that being bullied is part of growing up.
Excuse me? Being a victim is not part of growing up! And, learning how to handle a bully, without adult support - especially in an adult-controlled environment such as school - is a daunting, nearly impossible task.
When you're the target of abuse, especially if you've done nothing to earn it (i.e. you're not a bully yourself), the adults in your world usually advise you to avoid your tormentors. Don't give them a chance to go after you, etc. But what are you to do when, "...the authorities do nothing to stop those who are verbally, physically, or emotionally abusing you. What's a person to do?"
Some victims don't know what else to do, so our children die at places such as Columbine, or Santana. It has to stop!
Frank Peretti says, "If we're going to deal with this problem, it's going to require a change in attitude, not just on the part of the bullies, but also the victims, the schools, society, the powers-that-be, you name it. We've had the wrong attitude about this for too long, and it's time to change it."
And then he explains how this can be done. It's blindingly obvious when you read his solution. He doesn't offer a utopian response to bullies. It's down-to-earth. It can be done, but we all need to pitch in. We've got to get the word out to others, and then we have to be part of the solution by reinforcing the "new" approach by supporting our school leaders when they no longer tolerate bullying in their schools.
Background notes
Frank Peretti is the author of numerous works of fiction for children and adults. His book, The Oath, received the ECPA Gold Medallion Award for best fiction in 1996. He's sold over 9 million copies of his books.
This is his first non-fiction work. It was written because of an unexpected, but overwhelming response to a speech he made after the killings at Columbine High School.
On May 22, 1999, after the killings at Littleton, Colorado, Frank Peretti gave a speech to 5500 teenagers and their families at a Life on the Edge conference. This was the first time, as a speaker or author, that he discussed the subject of bullies and their victims.
At first, he thought that his speech had been a flop. Then he discovered that his story of juvenile despair was not uncommon. In October 1999, his speech, which had been taped, was broadcast by the Focus on the Family radio show. The reaction to his speech was so great that it was rebroadcast in December 1999. Frank Peretti's speech had "touched a nerve." The Wounded Spirit grew from that speech.
Frank Peretti knew, from his own first-hand experiences, the anguish and sense of helplessness many kids must cope with on a day-to-day basis. He was born with a medical problem, cystic hygroma. Unfortunately, his medical problems also stunted his growth and development, and impaired his speech. As a result, he was unmercifully taunted at school.
If he had been a six-footer by the time he entered Junior High, with big, bad, muscles and an attitude, do you really think anyone would have dared comment on his scars, etc., much less bullied him?
Frank Peretti spent his childhood enduring the agonizing emotional pain inflicted on him by bullies. He was safe at home, but not at school. No matter how well-loved he was by his family, in public, and especially in school, he was an "Instant target!" Ironically, it was the concern of a teacher who cared enough that helped him survive at school.
Frank Peretti knows how some victims feel. He knows why many kids get away with being a bully. He knows how that can be changed. Read his book and find out how you can help yourself, your loved ones, and others.
Final notes
Frank Peretti's The Wounded Spirit is available as:
* a hardback of 220 pages (Dimensions [in inches]: 0.79 x 7.74 x 5.28 ), published by Word Books November 2000, ISBN: 0849916739, list price no greater than $15.95 US
If you simply can't afford to buy a copy of The Wounded Spirit, please, please get a copy at your local library. It should be in the Adult, non-fiction section at 302.3 PER (Dewey Decimal Classification) or BF637.B85 P47 2000 (LCCN).
* an abridged audio cassette published by Word Books December 2000; ISBN: 0849963206, list price no greater than $10.99 US
* a video VHS (NTSC) plus the book published by Word Publishing in February 2001, ISBN: 084999974X, list price no greater than $79.99 US
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