Very young people who make fun of, or rather bully again, mercilessly, a victim just as they are called to attend the national preview of the film “The Boy with the Pink Pants”, a film based on the autobiographical novel by Teresa Manes, the mother of Andrea, 15 years old student of the Cavour high school in Rome, who in November 2012 took his own life under siege by his classmates. Again: a few days ago, tired of being bullied and blackmailed, Leonardo Calcina, 15 years old, killed himself in Senigallia.
The film against homophobia. At the premiere, boos and insults are unleashed for the schools
The Minister of Education and Merit, Giuseppe Valditara, deeply touched, announces important measures. A change of pace.
«I met Andrea’s mother and I was able to see how great the pain still is and how strong the determination is so that what her son and his family went through never happens again. What happened in Rome moved me and also outraged me because of the incivility, cowardice and squalor that emerges from behavior of this type. They happen as always in the dark (of the room, in this case), when the lights come on everyone is quiet.”
An increasingly widespread attitude. We can talk about an emergency.
«The bully strikes when he knows he can get away with it, his cowardice is expressed by always taking it out on a weak, fragile, sensitive subject who cannot or does not know how to react. He doesn’t have the courage to face someone stronger than him.”
How to stop all this?
«In the meantime, I asked the director of the regional school office Anna Paola Sabatini to take action to identify those responsible for the acts of vulgar incivility that occurred in the audience on Thursday. I want to meet them and look them in the eyes. I hope there are severe sanctions against them from the schools. I wonder how this inhumanity is possible, not even having the compassion to feel the pain of others, the pain of a mother, the pain of that poor boy.”
What exactly do you intend to promote?
«In the new law on conduct, those who have engaged in offensive behavior will have to delve deeper into why society considers it wrong and demonstrate that they have understood through documents. Then there are the mandatory solidarity citizenship activities, to learn the value of solidarity. With a 5 in conduct there is a failure, with a 6 you are postponed to September. As for the school, it must have the objective of eradicating this mentality, it must contribute to eradicating bullying.”
Come?
«School has a fundamental educational role, it must not only transmit knowledge of grammar, literature and mathematics. But being a place where mature, responsible citizens are trained, this is why I believe it is fundamental to include the theme of respect for others and individual responsibility in civic education. We have become accustomed to placing blame on society, instead of focusing on the responsibility of those who commit evil acts. Go back to distinguishing between good and bad behaviors, between “good” and “evil”. If we lose this ability to distinguish everything becomes somehow excusable. Unfortunately I see a widespread lack of responsibility.”
The school needs to pay more attention.
«Teachers have a strategic role. Over the years there has been an exponential increase in the phenomenon of bullying, it is no coincidence that the documents of the various international bodies over the last 15 years have highlighted the growing drama of the problem.”
Once upon a time we talked about violence by adults, now young people have to defend themselves from their peers. Can signals or alerts not collected be identified?
«I believe that social media also has a certainly negative role as it unleashes people’s most cowardly and ignoble impulses in anonymity. Behind a fake profile that you create for yourself, you can insult and mock anyone. I believe the time has come to regulate access to social media through clear identification with the obligation to provide an identity card, in addition to the ban under 16 years of age. It’s time to think about it, let’s see if there will be consensus. I am launching this proposal.”
And in real life. How to move?
«Insist on the culture of respect, with civic education, create anti-bullying workshops where the children themselves bear witness, recount their negative experiences, as victims and bullies, stimulated and guided by teachers».
How can we fail to remember Leonardo, harassed to the point of killing himself a few days ago in Senigallia.
«I will meet the parents in two weeks, they will come to the Ministry, there too I want to get to the bottom of it, so much so that I have asked the inspectors for a more in-depth report. This is a great battle that we must fight in defense of the weakest, gentlest and most fragile people. There is a widespread insensitivity that has reached incredible heights. Because of the sense of impunity, there is no longer a strong social condemnation, on the contrary, arrogance has been taken as a winning social model. We must rediscover the cultural roots of loving each other, school must be the place of smiles, of friendship, where we go with serenity.”
Is everyone therefore called to have a greater sense of responsibility?
«The phenomenon is broader: there is also a growing social indifference, those who are attacked on the street once always found someone who was ready to defend them, now too many turn the other way. Even rudeness is tolerated, as if it were an inevitable fact. We must put individual responsibility back at the centre, without always shifting the blame onto society.”
What social media and media convey doesn’t help.
«Unfortunately they are often vehicles of aggressive if not violent behavior. We lose the sense of reality, empathy, sensitivity, compassion. Let’s think about the beauty of the word companion, which derives from the Latin words cum and panis, the one with whom one shares bread, everyday life, a life path. The classmate, the classmate, was born from a wonderful idea of sharing and solidarity, let’s rediscover its noble meaning. Let’s say enough to bullying, enough to arrogance and arrogance. We say yes to respect for every person.”
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Ladies and gentlemen, gather ‘round! It’s time we delve into a topic that—ahem—shocks the conscience and makes us ponder, not just with our brows furrowed, but with a good old-fashioned sense of urgency. Let’s break it down!
We’ve got a somber scenario here, folks—a film premiere for “The Boy with the Pink Pants,” a poignant tale emanating from real tragedy and hardship. One might expect everyone to show a little civility, perhaps a few polite nods, but what do we get? Boos, insults—yes, so mature—it’s like throwing tomatoes at a Shakespearean play and calling it engaging theatre!
Imagine this: kids, who should know better—ones who have surely been schooled in the “How to Not Behave Like a Complete Neanderthal” curriculum—decide to unleash their venomous little comments just before watching a film that challenges homophobia. Seriously, how’s that for irony? It’s like going to a vegan cooking class and deciding to bring an extra-large pepperoni pizza for snacks.
The sad reality is we’ve seen tragic outcomes from this—two boys’ lives ended prematurely, Leo and Andrea—names from a painfully familiar script. And here comes the Minister of Education, Giuseppe Valditara, waving his hands like a magician trying to conjure up commonsense. He’s asking the right questions: “How on Earth do we stop this madness?”. It’s a complete tragedy, isn’t it? Like watching a comedy where the punchline is just too dark to even chuckle at!
Now, Valditara is promising changes, saying that he wants to look bullying right in the eye. I don’t know about you, but I’d be terrified of making eye contact with that gang of young bullies; they might nick my lunch money! Seriously though, he rightly identifies the issue as one of cowardice and cruelty—bullies pick on the weak ’cause confronting someone stronger? That’s a no-go zone for them.
The minister goes on to proclaim a radical new law, instructing a deep dive into why bad behavior is frowned upon—imagine that! Getting a “C” in civility, and instead of a little slap on the wrist, you’ve got to write an essay on why it’s bad to call someone names. Brilliant strategy! Next up, they’ll require students to hand in a book report on the epic journey of kindness!
And then there’s the school, a place supposed to be a nurturing ground for blossoming minds, not a Battle Royale where principles get dropped faster than my grandma’s fruitcake! He emphasizes that schools need to play a more active role in fighting bullying, which seems obvious unless you’ve been living under a rock.
But ah, hold your horses! It’s not just about school—a wicked social media age is at play where bullies can hide behind anonymous profiles like vampires in a twilight zone. It’s like Halloween every day—donning a mask to make nasty comments while sipping a pumpkin spice latte. Valditara proposes shaking things up a bit, wanting to regulate social media with a solution as creative as it is practical: ID verification! Who knew? If you wanna troll, better have your ID ready!
So, hitting the brakes here—what’s the endgame? Civic education? Anti-bullying workshops? Some social responsibility? Now we’re talking! Finally, taking responsibilities for our actions—no bailouts from “societal influence.” It’s about calling out the bullies, the indifferent bystanders, and—yes—those who simply scroll by, ignoring the call of duty!
If we’re serious about changing the narrative here, we all need to be onboard! Feeling a tad cheeky yet? Let’s reclaim our sense of community that’s wandered off like a lost puppy. Valditara sums it up beautifully—school should be a place of compassion, not cruelty. We need to be bold enough to speak up for respect, encouraging the vulnerable while tackling the bravado of bullies who think they’re the heavyweight champs when, truth be told, they’re just delinquent wannabes.
Finally—let’s stop the sensationalism! This is serious stuff, yet ironically, it feels a bit like the circus—clowns parading in a town that desperately needs serious reform. Let’s sort this mess out; it’s high time we exchanged curses for understanding and judgment for benevolence. Bullying? Let’s say a resounding “NO!” and start taking responsibility not just for our actions, but for each other.
In the wise words of my friend—who’s totally imaginary, but leans into the wisdom vibe—they always say, “Be the kind of friend you wished you had.” Now that’s a lesson worth taking to the bank!
So, if we want to change the world, folks, it starts with us. Together, we can swap the disdain for respect, the cruelty for kindness, and make sure our schools become sanctuaries, not battlegrounds. Let’s get on that ride!
Very young individuals, exhibiting merciless bullying behavior, targeted a victim shortly before the national premiere of “The Boy with the Pink Pants.” This poignant film is inspired by the autobiographical novel of Teresa Manes, who is the mother of Andrea, a 15-year-old student from Cavour high school in Rome. Tragically, in November 2012, Andrea took his own life after enduring relentless harassment from his peers. Recently, just days ago, similar circumstances led to the heartbreaking suicide of 15-year-old Leonardo Calcina in Senigallia, who succumbed to bullying and blackmail.
The film serves as a powerful statement against homophobia.
The Minister of Education and Merit, Giuseppe Valditara, profoundly affected by these events, announces decisive measures aimed at cultivating a cultural shift.
«I met Andrea’s mother, witnessing the immense pain she still bears alongside her unwavering determination to prevent future tragedies like her son’s from occurring. The heartbreaking events that unfolded in Rome not only moved me but also ignited feelings of outrage against the incivility, cowardice, and despair reflected in such behaviors. These events tend to take place in the shadows (as they did in this case), and once the lights go on, silence falls over the crowd.”
An increasingly pervasive issue; we are in a state of emergency.
«Bullies often strike when they believe they can act without consequences; their cowardice manifests as they target individuals who are weaker, more fragile, or sensitive, knowing they won’t retaliate. They lack the courage to confront anyone who poses a challenge to them.”
What strategies can effectively combat this issue?
«I have directed Anna Paola Sabatini, the regional school office director, to take immediate action to identify those responsible for the disgraceful incidents that transpired during the audience at Thursday’s event. I seek to meet these individuals face to face and convey the gravity of their actions. Severe consequences from educational institutions are imperative. I ponder how such inhumanity is permissible, with no regard for the suffering faced by others, the agony borne by a mother, and the despair of that young boy.”
What specific measures do you plan to implement?
«The new legislation regarding conduct mandates that those engaged in offensive behaviors must explore the societal reasons for their inappropriateness and substantiate their understanding through documentation. Furthermore, we will enforce mandatory civic engagement activities to instill the principle of solidarity. A student receiving a ‘5’ in conduct will face failure, and a ‘6’ will result in postponement to September. Schools must actively participate in eradicating this mentality and help dismantle the culture of bullying.”
How will this be achieved?
«The educational institution has a crucial role in shaping character; it is not merely a platform for sharing knowledge in grammar, literature, and math. We must cultivate a nurturing environment to foster mature, responsible citizens. Therefore, I strongly advocate for incorporating lessons on respect and individual responsibility into civic education. We have grown accustomed to attributing blame to society at large instead of holding accountable those who perpetrate wrongdoing. It is essential we differentiate clearly between morally right and wrong actions. A failure to do so renders all behaviors somewhat justifiable. Regrettably, I observe a troubling lack of responsibility.”
Schools must increase their vigilance.
«Teachers play a pivotal role in this context. Over the years, there has been an alarming rise in bullying, underscored by multiple international organizations reiterating the escalating crisis in their reports over the past 15 years.”
Once upon a time, we spoke of violence from adults, now our youth must shield themselves from their peers. Are there signals that have gone unheeded?
«Social media undeniably plays a detrimental role in amplifying individuals’ most cowardly and despicable tendencies under the veil of anonymity. Fake profiles enable users to unleash insults and mockery without consequence. It is high time to consider implementing regulations for social media access, necessitating clear identification through an ID, along with restrictions for individuals under 16 years of age. Let us evaluate the feasibility of this proposal; I believe consensus is necessary.”
And in our physical interactions. What are the next steps?
«We must champion a culture of respect through civic education, establish anti-bullying workshops where students can openly share their experiences, both as victims and aggressors, under the guidance of their teachers.”
We cannot overlook Leonardo, who faced such relentless harassment that it ultimately drove him to suicide just days ago in Senigallia.
«I intend to meet with his parents in two weeks at the Ministry, as I wish to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragedy. This represents a significant battle we must undertake in defense of those who are the most vulnerable and fragile. Insensitivity has reached alarming levels. The prevailing sense of impunity has stripped away any robust social condemnation, and arrogance is now mistaken for a successful social model. We must rekindle the cultural foundations of compassion and mutual respect, with schools embodying joy and friendship, acting as sanctuaries of serenity.”
Is it, therefore, of utmost importance for everyone to cultivate a stronger sense of responsibility?
«The situation is indeed broader; societal indifference is on the rise. Individuals who once rallied to defend those accosted in public have now begun to look the other way. Rudeness is being tolerated, as if it were an unavoidable aspect of life. It is critical that we reestablish individual accountability at the forefront of our collective conscience, rather than perpetually attributing fault to society.”
The content conveyed by social media and other media channels does little to help.
«Regrettably, they frequently serve as conduits for aggressive, if not violent, behavior. We risk losing our grasp on reality, empathy, sensitivity, and compassion. Consider the beautiful essence of the word ‘companion,’ which derives from Latin—’cum’ meaning with and ‘panis’ meaning bread—the one with whom we share our daily lives and challenges. The classmates we engage with should embody the spirit of camaraderie and support; we must revive this noble definition. We must firmly oppose bullying and arrogance, while wholeheartedly endorsing respect for every individual.”
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E vulnerable, gentle, and fragile. We are witnessing a shocking degree of insensitivity, exacerbated by a climate of impunity where social condemnation is lacking. Arrogance has unfortunately turned into a prevailing social model, and we must rekindle our cultural roots of compassion and solidarity. Schools should be environments filled with laughter and friendship, where children can learn and grow without fear.”
Is it then everyone’s responsibility to cultivate a greater sense of accountability?
«The issue extends beyond individual behavior; it reflects a growing societal indifference. In the past, individuals who were victimized could rely on someone coming to their defense, but nowadays, far too many choose to look away. Rudeness and aggressive behavior have become normalized. It is critical that we reaffirm individual responsibility, refraining from perpetually shifting blame onto society.”
The narratives propagated by social media and the media often exacerbate the problem.
«These platforms frequently serve as vehicles for aggressive and violent behavior. We are losing touch with reality, empathy, sensitivity, and compassion. Consider the essence of the word ‘companion,’ derived from the Latin ‘cum’ (with) and ‘panis’ (bread)—it signifies sharing life and experiences together. A classmate should emanate from a deep sense of shared journey and solidarity; we need to revive this noble sentiment. It’s time to declare an emphatic ‘no’ to bullying and arrogance, and to affirm a commitment to respecting every individual.”
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In light of the intense dialogue surrounding bullying, respect, and the urgent need for change, we must collectively engage in fostering a culture of kindness and understanding in our educational institutions and beyond. The time for action is now—let’s commit to creating a supportive community where every individual feels safe and valued, turning intentions into meaningful actions for a brighter future.
Sense of accountability?
“Absolutely. The problem is systemic; there’s also a noticeable rise in social indifference. In the past, passersby would often step up to defend someone being attacked. Now, many opt to turn a blind eye. Rudeness and bullying have become so commonplace that they’re almost tolerated as a part of life. It’s essential to reestablish individual accountability, moving away from the trend of blaming society for all wrongdoing.”
The role of social media and the media at large is concerning as well.
“Indeed, these platforms frequently amplify aggressive behaviors, creating an environment where empathy, sensitivity, and compassion can be easily lost. Consider the essence of the word ‘companion,’ derived from Latin—’cum’ meaning with and ‘panis’ meaning bread. A companion is someone with whom we share life. Classmates should embody solidarity and support; we must revitalize this noble concept. We must loudly proclaim our rejection of bullying and arrogance while affirming our commitment to respect for every individual.”
This summarizes a pressing conversation about bullying and societal responsibility, echoing the urgent need for systemic changes in our schools, media, and lives. It calls for everyone—parents, educators, policymakers, and youths—to unite against bullying and promote a culture of kindness and respect, ensuring that our collective communities thrive in empathy rather than devolve into insensitivity.
