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Martin Eden

(14,888 posts)

7. Reminds me of a kid in sophomore swim class more than 50 years ago

Reply to PeaceWave (Original post)

Sat Sep 6, 2025, 10:56 AM

Sep 6

We all had to take a shower, and parade naked past the instructor. This kid was short, skinny, pale, and had no hair except on his head. He looked 12 years old amid 15 year-olds. The jocks laughed at him and gave him the nickname Sterl (as in sterile).

I felt so bad for the kid, and later a bit ashamed I didn't ask the jocks to leave him alone. I might have got my ass kicked in response, but I'll never know. I was thin myself, but deceptively strong and athletic (as some of the jocks learned in other PE classes). I was never really subjected to bullying, but can imagine what it felt like.

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A freshman in high school, my 14 year old grandnephew recently encountered his first bully... [View all] PeaceWave Sep 6 OP

A great read! All the way along, I was hoping it'd end the way it did! calimary Sep 6 #1

disdain for those kids who are not given preferential treatment is duly noted nt msongs Sep 6 #2

yeah. there's a considerable 'othering' and derogatory opinion to wade through ... stopdiggin Sep 6 #4

You two are cute. I was bullied in PE. No one, and I mean NO ONE ever taught this half-blind girl how to fight back. Hekate Sep 6 #5

you somehow came away from this with a 'defense of bullying' ..? stopdiggin Sep 6 #10

This message was self-deleted by its author Midwestern Democrat Sep 6 #9

Three cheers for your Grandnephew! blue-wave Sep 6 #3

I have never forgotten or forgiven those who bullied me in school, more than 60 years ago. Paladin Sep 6 #6

Reminds me of a kid in sophomore swim class more than 50 years ago Martin Eden Sep 6 #7

PeaseWave, regardless of age. Prairie_Seagull Sep 6 #8

Good Story ProfessorGAC Sep 6 #11

Cool story, bro! nt RandiFan1290 Sep 6 #12

I had a really mean teacher in high school womanofthehills Sep 6 #13

Fanciful Prairie Gates Sep 6 #14