tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1756274743506832019.post6152650693587928981..comments2023-10-15T05:24:45.163-04:00Comments on Row House 14: It's Only a GameHeidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16399278722730145545noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1756274743506832019.post-11622435850784310212012-09-10T18:58:08.774-04:002012-09-10T18:58:08.774-04:00I think you entirely missed the point of my post. ...I think you entirely missed the point of my post. No matter what your team affiliation, bullying should not be a problem. It is ridiculous to feel bullied in any situation, especially over something as mundane as sports. Your statement about me wearing a Steelers jersey to work is only making a false assumption-- that I purposely wear the jersey to tick people off. Sorry, but that's not the type of game I like to play. If it ever seems that way, perhaps it is because I am defending myself from the barrage of verbal assault I receive from students and staff. After last night's Steelers loss to the Broncos, I literally felt sick to my stomach thinking about the trash talk I would endure ALL DAY LONG. It's hateful and spiteful and I don't care to hear it no matter which team you're affiliated with.<br /><br />Secondly, you make a remark that basically states it is my fault that I get bullied because of what I wear. That is an awful thing to say to anyone no matter the situation. Would you tell a student that it's their fault they are getting bullied because they are wearing a particular article of clothing when they're getting bullied and being called a nerd by their classmates? I think not-- at least I would hope so assuming that you are a well-rounded individual. <br /><br />Thirdly, I don't buy into the rivalry which is why I called it a "so-called rivalry" in my post. There are teams I feel much more "hatred" (if I could even call it that) toward than the Ravens. To be honest, I still don't really care if the Ravens win or lose or if they beat the Steelers. At the end of the day, it's only sports and it's only meant to be fun. And if I ever root for the Ravens to lose it's just so that I'll finally hear silence from Ravens fans.<br /><br />Your last statement about Pittsburgh fans is just as horrendous. I personally believe that bullying Steelers fans just because "they do it to us" is the worst reason ever to bully someone. Step up and be an adult and put your foot down by saying, "I'm going to stop doing this and be the bigger, better person." Doing something awful just because others are doing it doesn't make your actions any less awful. In fact, that makes your actions even worse as you are actively doing something that you've already determined to be a bad thing on a firsthand experience. Put yourself in my shoes for a minute. Whatever you've experienced firsthand from Pittsburgh fans-- think about if you were subjected to it non-stop for four months out of the year for 6 years straight. I am pretty sure you wouldn't stop supporting your team, but I'm also pretty sure you'd get sick of the treatment.<br /><br />Finally, I must say that it seems entirely cowardly of you to comment such assumptions on my blog in an anonymous manner. If you felt that this was open to fair discussion, you should have made your name known. It also makes it appear as if you yourself are trying to "stir the pot" which is what you just accused me of doing.Heidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16399278722730145545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1756274743506832019.post-27611918174392806842012-09-10T06:16:51.548-04:002012-09-10T06:16:51.548-04:00A lot of what you write about is totally uncalled ...A lot of what you write about is totally uncalled for and should never be tolerated. Being shoved, being taunted, cursed at -- that's terrible. But the work stuff doesn't ring as true. I mean, you wear a Steelers jersey on Purple Friday? Knowing that the two teams are each other's chief rivals (you act surprised that this is the *only* team that they do it to)? And it seems like the co-workers are just doing good-natured digging. You didn't present any evidence about what happens at work except memes, so maybe there is more -- but it does seem like you intentionally rattle folks by wearing your rival jersey. That's fine, of course (co-workers do that at our school, too, and it's in good fun), but you shouldn't do it if it brings you discomfort when there is nudging from the other side.<br /><br />Pittsburgh fans are exactly the same way on their hometurf, by the way. I've experienced it firsthand.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1756274743506832019.post-52073933002165573492012-09-07T12:01:36.854-04:002012-09-07T12:01:36.854-04:00This is so true. I come from a place where most pe...This is so true. I come from a place where most people view football as a life or death matter. In fact, I've seen relationships fall apart and people become deeply hurt over their team losing. I'ts sad and it's wrong. We're all people and honestly football in the long-term is not important at all. It's fun and entertaining but I completely agree with you, bullying is not okay in any realm and especially this one!<br /><br />From~<br />morgan-alexandra.blogspot.com Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08794819479977605633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1756274743506832019.post-13377293730868531542012-09-04T19:32:48.658-04:002012-09-04T19:32:48.658-04:00i remember you writing about a similar situation l...i remember you writing about a similar situation last season... where people at a bar were harassing you because of your jersey. It's ridiculous to treat anyone in this way, especially over football. I come from a pretty deep college rivalry state, and we definitely have things to say about the other school in a general non-friendly way. But that being said, we have best friends and parents and brothers who attended that school... and it always ends up in fun and game bickering on both sides. I am very guilty of not attending the yearly rivalry game because I didn't want to deal with the team's fans. It's so unfortunate that's what it has come down too<br />I think the only other sport that experiences this issue is English soccer... but that league has suspended teams before for a whole season just because of fan behavior.. maybe nfl should take a hint!Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14182795514335102550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1756274743506832019.post-66042050419673319392012-09-04T13:29:32.650-04:002012-09-04T13:29:32.650-04:00There is NO excuse for violence like that. That...There is NO excuse for violence like that. That's not just bullying, that's assault, and no one should get away with that. Team spirit is about support and community, not exclusion, regardless of whether it's football or a book club. <br /><br />That being said, I was raised to avoid conflict, so I'm sure I would have reacted by apologizing for existing and daring to be different (which is what happened when, at 24, I was bullied out of my college dorm for not being Christian). <br /><br />However, I'd say you're well within rights to snap a camera phone pic of the offending folks and take it to a security guard in the stadium and lodge a formal police complaint. People think they can get away with anything, especially with the support of a posse, until someone higher up the food chain tells them that they can't.Beth Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01898921671895123053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1756274743506832019.post-32509934799448266842012-09-04T08:58:31.748-04:002012-09-04T08:58:31.748-04:00That's just horrible. I didn't realize you...That's just horrible. I didn't realize you were harassed so regularly. Nobody should have to put up with that, especially over something as meaningless as football.<br /><br />It's funny that you mention most of your bullies are middle-aged men. It could be that the generation gap has something to do with how they treat you (and perhaps women in general). Hopefully none of them have children of their own to "teach" but that's probably wishful thinking. And really, how sad is it that they get SO involved in a game? They obviously don't have much else to be excited about.<br /><br />Anyway, I love football and while I consider myself a Bears fan, I also own items repping other teams--including Packer's stock. (Oh, the horror!) I would never be so rabid about a game that it stops me from enjoying other teams, or makes the experience suck for another fan.Paige @ Little Nostalgiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11978050087934003216noreply@blogger.com