I had a student last year being bullied. Of course, the bully was smart and was doing the bullying while unattended or saying mean things under their breath. They would also get other children to ostracize the student. My student was at her wits end. My support to her was walk with her to class. I would never let her eat lunch alone. We would have long conversations about standing up for yourself. Eventually, the student stood up to the bully publicly. It was not a fight or anything scary. My student just stood up and said “NO! I don’t have to give you stuff and listen to the mean things you say to me.” She moved to a table all by herself. Her classmates that also supported her applauded – I applauded. students got up and sat with her. That student is now one of the most popular students in the school. My fifth graders often ask her for help. If a student has allies they can trust, then things will change.

Qui Vindicet Ibit

“Qui Vindicet Ibit,” (its inscription reads) “The Avenger will come.” - Lee Travis (The Crimson Avenger)*

The year 1938, the wealthy philanthropist, Van Gilder, throws a costume party for the Chinese victims of WWII. Lee Travis, a wealthy newspaper owner, and Olympic athlete is in attendance dressed as a crook (his secretary’s idea). Travis is dressed in a crimson cloak, mask and fedora. During the party Lee and his trusted Chinese friend/assistant Wing How, are being interviewed by the new intrepid reporter Claudia Barker. The party is interrupted by real criminals seeking the collections from the philanthropy of the guests. Claudia fights to keep her golden lighter when she is shot and killed. Lee Travis and Wing, still dressed in their costumes chases the criminals. On the highway gunfire was exchanged but Lee and Wing were able to defeat and capture the criminals. Retrieving the stolen money and affects. Lee Travis found Claudia’s lighter. There was an inscription, Qui Vindicet Ibit, the avenger will come. After the police arrived Wing told the police a costumed avenger saved the day.

Qui Vindicet Ibit, the avenger will come. We often hope that is true. We hope that someone will come and save the day. Sometimes we are the “avenger”. Sometimes we have to stand up and do what is in front of us to do – we have to get the job done. Those of us that are parents, sisters, brothers, teachers and best friends sometimes need to be an avenger. We need to stand up and be an ally. In situations of bullying, bystanders just watch. Adult bystanders, only see kids being kids. For those of us who were bullied in school, we wished for avengers to save the day. We needed bystanders to become allies. An ally does not need to get into a fight to become an avenger, they just need to be a voice, “Stop!”, “I’m telling the teacher!”, “Come on Joe (victim) let’s get out of here!” We as avengers can teach or help the victims do their best to suit up, show up, stand up and scream. Teach them the best way to survive. Things will change.

The Crimson Avenger (Lee Travis)
First Appearance: Detective Comics, #20 (October 1938), DC Comics

Creator: Jim Chambers

* “The Dark Cross Conspiracy”, The Crimson Avenger, #1 of 4 miniseries, June 1988, DC Comics

Good Anti-Bullying Websites

The Trevor Project http://www.thetrevorproject.org/

Stop Bullying http://www.stopbullying.gov/

Teaching Tolerance http://www.tolerance.org/