From the time we start pre-school to the time we graduate, we are taught about bullying. We’re told how to detect it, how to prevent it, and what to do when it happens. We’re told it’s what you see when a kid pushes another one down on the playground. We’re told it’s what happens when kids get shoved into lockers on their first day of middle school. We’re told it’s what you read about others on the internet in high school. We’re taught to be tolerant, and respectful of others.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines tolerance as a willingness to accept feelings, habits, or beliefs that are different from your own.

Hays High does an outstanding job of being tolerant, in most cases. Almost every clique has a member who falls in-between with another clique, thus resulting the whole student body getting along in most cases. I’d say at least, until the internet comes into play.

According to DoSomething.Org, about 58 percent of kids admit someone has said mean or hurtful things to them online. More than 4 out 10 say it has happened more than once.

As of late, this has been a problem I’ve personally been exposed to while working on the Guidon. It seems daily we have a comment aimed towards one of our staff members that is meant to be harmful. It happens the most on our opinions page. This is where being tolerant normally comes into play, and I wish it did, but instead the comments page is being bombarded by students making a joke of us. Or, they’re turning it into something you’d see on a Comedy Central roast.

As well, about 75 percent of students admit they have visited a website bashing another student, and I’d believe it. On the Guidon, we delete the comments we find offensive or obscene. It hurts to be made fun of for practicing the right of voicing our opinions. It hurts even when one person is slamming us, let alone seven of their friends.

We want to keep our comment section open. We want the student body to be involved, but we can’t let it turn into a website where kids go to bash on each other. It’s not right, or fair.

As journalists, we respect a person’s right to voice an opinion, even if it’s different from our own. What is unacceptable is when a person resorts to name-calling or makes comments that are meant to belittle.

Right now, I am asking whoever is reading this to think about if you’ve ever done something to purposely hurt someone. I’m asking you to reevaluate if that comment was worth it. I’m asking you to please be tolerant of your peers, because no one knows what it takes to push someone over the edge.

We’re all unique. Let’s accept that, for our own sake.

17mcrees@usd489.com