By: Frank Pierce
The Random House Dictionary of the English Language states that upperclassman means "a junior or senior in a secondary school or college". Notice that nowhere in this definition do you find the words to say that upperclassmen should disrespect and abuse the underclassmen. However, it seems as though the seniors, juniors, and, yes, even the sophomores must constantly feel powerful and, therefore, mistreat those younger than themselves.
But, what exactly is it that makes them feel like they have to act the way that they do? Believe it or not, parents have a very big part in all of this. For example, if your parents were victims (people that were picked on) in high school, then more than likely, they will teach their child or children not to pick on others. If your parents suffered from Upperclassmen Syndrome (a disease in which upperclassmen contract when they believe that they are better than everybody younger than themselves), then more than likely, they will teach their children to bully the younger students whether they realize that they are doing it or not.
How much sense does this make? "Um, because you're younger than me, you need to worship the ground I walk on. If I tell you to hop on one leg, you don't question my authority, you just do it." To me, this makes no sense at all. I have no respect for a person who constantly degrades people for the simple fact that these people are of a younger age. I cannot stand to even be near a person who ridicules and mocks every move that an underclassman makes. In my opinion, if you are so feeble-minded as to believe that the only way that you will succeed in life is to knock others down, than I will pray to God to give you a brain that functions properly.
*On a side note, this is for all those people that have been picked on in years past. Just because you get knocked down doesn't mean that you are out of the game. I encourage you to keep working in spite of those people that thrive on tearing you apart. When it comes to the end, when all is said and done, the more successful person will indeed be you. Always remember that that person that picks or picked on you will someday have to answer to a far higher power. He will have to answer to God.
