The Ripple Effect of the Story about Charles Wu

One of my oldest friends ("oldest" in terms of the number of years we've known each other; NOT in terms of her physical age) posted a story in her blog about the 12-year-old Charles Wu being left-out or singled-out in her oldest son D's class. My friend, staged-named Submom, humbly labeled herself "the trouble maker" for having blown the whistle on this act of preference/prejudice/discrimination (and possibly racism?) among the children by sending an email message to the teacher. This "little" story sure struck a cord, for I was Charles Wu in part of my own youth, and I know just how much it hurts to feel like the whole world hates you and only you.

Kudos to Submom for informing the teacher. I would totally do the same thing. These things can so easily go unnoticed, and I'm sure the teacher appreciates a little help from the parents (I'm a teacher. I know).

Kids can be brutally cruel. We may never find out why Heather didn't invite Charles. For all we know, he could be stocky/fat, studious/nerdy, out-spoken/rude, confident/arrogant, or however Heather chooses to see him. Whatever it is, though, I sure hope it wasn't because he's Chinese. Racism.... it's so 1990.

So I had a talk with Bill about it. Bill also had experiences being picked on in school because he was smaller, thinner, nerdier, smarter.

K: "I wonder if Kai would ever be discriminated against for being who he is...."

B: "Well, we'll teach him one word. You know what that word is?"

Challenge accepted (think Barney in "How I Met Your Mother")! Just for an internal giggle, I thought to myself, "You bet your a-- I know what the h-- that f--ing word is. Take your pick. Tee-hee."

While I soaked in my self-assumed awesomeness, the answer was revealed, "Whatever!"

"Whatever." I thought of it, but I thought it couldn't be that simple.

"Yeah! When people make fun of you, you just smile and say, 'Whatever!' and let it slide right off of ya. If they come near you or want to hurt you, then you fight."

And there you have it. Words of wisdom from Bill baba (the Chinese word for dad). Keep that in mind, kids. You never know when it may come in handy.