Real children # 6: Hey, you, leave me alone!

Sometimes I feel sorry for kids now , with all their lessons and activities, but a karate class I watched recently made me think.

School had just started, and the teacher talked a lot about that, and their new responsibilities. Then, he asked,
"What are you going to do if someone bothers you -- pushes you, or shoves you?"
He showed them.
They were going to step forward, stretch out one arm, forefinger pointed at the person, and shout:
"Hey, you! Leave me alone!"

They did it, each time becoming more confident. I wish I'd thought to take a picture: imagine twenty second and third graders, girls and boys, in white karate outfits, stepping forward and pointing. By the third time, they were all exactly in step (it's like yoga class for us, the group energy kind of builds) and shouting all together:
"Hey, you, leave me alone!"

It was exhilarating. It made it seem so easy.....and it made me think of all the tragedies that could, maybe, have been avoided if children had always been taught to do that.