Too many survivors use victimization as justification for wrongdoing. They feel that because they suffered, life owes them somehow. I have seen people mistreat others merely because of the bullying they suffered in the past and think that it’s the only way they can feel empowered again. Sadly, I was guilty of the same thing in high school. It isn’t something I’m proud of today.
Example: Some people may choose to rob a bank or burn down a corporate building because they grew up poor and felt like they didn’t get a fair shake in life. Again, they feel like the world owes them and that there’s justification for striking back against a system they believe screwed them over.
When the law finally catches up with them and hauls them off to jail, they become even more embittered because the perpetrators feel that being held responsible for what they did only further evidences that they aren’t getting a fair shake.
These criminals fail to realize that we’re all still responsible for our actions regardless of what happened to us in the past. Evil behavior always brings consequences. You reap what you sow.
Past victimization does not justify wrongdoing. Ever! A reason does not equal an excuse. We’re all responsible for our lives, whether or not we admit it.
I could have gone on bullying others because people bullied me in the past. But where would it have gotten me? Nowhere! That behavior would have only brought consequences and more misery.
Wouldn’t it be better to learn from adversity and take accountability for your life? To try and make your life better than it was in the past? Of course, it would.
I promise you. You will be so much better off.
❣
And it doesn’t help that certain political forces are basically allowing victimization as a reason to allow crimes to be committed…
Absolutely true. It’s scary because it’s setting a dangerous precedent.
I was bullied through my school years.
I hated that and I would never inflict on another human being.
This post reminds me of my mother who told us, “two wrongs don’t make a right”. That is true then and is still true today!
My heart goes out to you, Dwain. It’s true that two wrongs don’t make a right. But doing what you have to do to defend and protect yourself, even if you have to fight back, isn’t wrong. Self-defense is the right thing to do because you’re keeping yourself from being hurt. I so appreciate you sharing your bullying story. 🙂
I wish I knew then what I know now Cherie.