[July 16, 2023] He was an obnoxious, arrogant, self-centered, spiteful bully with a streak of hate running through his black heart. Our family had just moved to a new town, and I was academically transferred to my new Junior High, just a few miles from where I grew up but, in actuality, an entire world away. I hated my new school, with its “colossal” school buildings, and very easy to get lost in the corridors and where every class meant changing rooms. But it was the school bully that put terror into me. Like any new kid, I was about to be tested, and the result would not be pretty.
Harry was his name, his gruff looks and scowl on his lips were like saying, “Punk! I will beat the crap out of you, so be really scared.” And his three skinny cronies, who circled him like mad dogs, were icing on the cake. I would eventually have to face him and his sidekicks; being the school newbie, it was my destiny to do so, and a conflict could not be denied. The first week passed without incident.
The following Monday, I was confronted near the teachers’ parking lot after school. I was about to get on the school bus to take me home when Harry grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and pulled me down to the ground. If I was going to survive this encounter, I knew I had to do something unexpected, do it quickly and decisively, and do it now. My brain locked up, but I instinctively lashed out with my foot, striking him in his balls and dropping Harry to the ground like a sack of potatoes. I knew I was in real trouble and would get a savage beating. “Fanny, get us outta here!” Our school bus driver was Fanny, originally from the big city of New Orleans. Thank you, Fanny. Fanny gave us hell on the school bus daily for talking too loud and acting up, much like normal kids do. Not this day. We were all eerily quiet.
Was I scared? Sure, I was so scared I could barely walk or talk. But I drove home my foot to exactly the sweet spoke, temporarily disabling my attacker. As Fanny drove the school bus away, the occupants – all of us little school kids – sat transfixed for several moments, then broke into cheers. I felt damn good. I’d extracted retribution. I’d brought justice to a single point in time. Although I did the right thing, I did not act morally as I had been taught. Years later, I would understand better. Sometimes doing the right thing is not doing the moral thing.
I would attend three Junior Highs in three different states in three different school years. There was no getting used to any town. All of us kids just learned to deal with it. Losing friends is not good for a kid; it makes you emotionally numb and hardens you in unexpected ways. The school teachers did for us, my brother and sister, what they could do, given their limited resources. Bullying was just accepted in those days; kids were expected to deal with it on their own. Maybe that is the right way. Maybe not. In those days, kids, especially boys, were taught to be strong and to take a beating if needed. Today, kids are taught to be victims and report bullying to their teachers. We teach weakness and victimhood, and that will not work out well in our future as these kids become young adults.
I was surprised that Harry never bothered me again, even if his cronies occasionally ran into me in the crowded school hallways. And I thought that was tough going.
Then I went to High School.
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NOTE: For all letters to my granddaughter, go to this link here.
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As I go back in time to read these “letters to my granddaughter,” I continue to be impressed with the experiences that helped make Gen. Satterfield who is became and the many obstacles he overcame.
Excellent article on bully. I faced that growing up in high school. I unlike you avoided the bully by crossing the street when we cross paths. You were right to fight back because you life depend on it. He could have hurt you. Fighting back something is all can do. Bully are being taught in the environment the bully is raised in. It is worse now 😫 Praying for the bully to have stop this.
Hi Eddie, yes, we all did so differently. I found facing the bully the most long-term effective strategy. Short term, this strategy can be hard on the face. 😉
Sir, you are correct.
… this is exactly the opposite of what we teach kids in school today. Too bad the bureaucrats who run public primary schools don’t have the real world experience to know that.
Gen. Satterfield, I know that there are others here that recommended you continue with and expand on this series, and I just want to add my voice to those who ask for it. I am appreciative of the idea itself and the content. The reason I appreciate the content is that it gives me (and others too) some insight into you as a senior leader, what developed you, and your thinking and how it was molded as a young boy. Keep this series going. I’m sure your oldest granddaughter will greatly appreciate your letters to her.
I agree, Willie. I want to thank Gen. Satterfield too.
Yep, excellent.
❤❤❤❤❤
I would attend three Junior Highs in three different states in three different school years.
Hard on kids.
lucky granddaughter
🙏 Best letter to your granddaughter yet. Gen. Satterfield, please keep this series going. And now, because of you as an example, I’ll be writing letters to my future grandchildren.
Yes, Reverend. Let us all be aware that we can help those generations after us.
Gen. Satterfield, just a note to say that I continue to read your website everyday because I take great joy in what you have to say. But, I must admit that there is another reason, and perhaps more important, in that I learn about your thinking and decision making process that helps me help myself by learning from someone who has succeeded. Keep up the great works you are doing here on your site and also for helping veterans. Loving it all the way.
“Losing friends is not good for a kid; it makes you emotionally numb and hardens you in unexpected ways. ” — written by Gen. Satterfield. A truer statement has not been made. Be careful with your kids. They are not disposable items to be interchanged like some doll you purchase at Walmart.
Exactly. Well said, Willie. Great to hear from you again.
God Bless General Satterfield.
Wow, great job, Gen. S. 👀👀👀👀👀
Yes, and another minin-series that, in this case, I hope becomes a book. Speaking of books, please consider getting yourself a copy of Gen. Satterfield’s books. Get the paperback version because that way you can mark it up and page tag your favorite spots. And, if you are a real rebel (ha ha), get extra copies and give them away to your favorite family member.
Got my copies, and I agree with you Pink Cloud. 😀
Great comments today!!!!!
Thank you, Gen. Satterfield for putting the effort into continuing this important series. And, we are learning much about you at the same time.
Just LOVE LOVE LOVE your letters to your granddaughter.
Thank you, Laughing Monkey. My pleasure.
Thank you, sir for reading our comments. You have a wonderful website, please keep posting. We are also praying for your continued good health.
… and thank you!