Great topic, Pixarfan91! I was thinking of posting this but was not sure if it was appropriate for this family-friendly forum. I have removed the link to the actual video out of concern for younger members here (for Richard’s use of the F-bomb at one point), but hey, you guys are free to search this on Youtube, if you want…
Anyway, this has been a pretty huge news in Australia, and especially since I live in Sydney myself, this is of huge interest to me. Two things to take note, here. Firstly, the two interviews are from rival TV networks, Channel 7’s Today Tonight and Channel 9’s A Current Affair. Naturally, one of them has to take the side of the bully and present ‘his side’.
Secondly, Richard doesn’t come off as very convincing for his apology. He exhibits classic signs of sociopathic behaviour such as ‘fake remorse’ while he was listening to his mum’s phone call (No tears, no whimpering, no chest heaving or furrowed eyebrows, or curled bottom lip). Watch his micro-expressions, you can see him smile at some points when he’s explaining his version. Towards the end of the interview, he is asked whether he feels sorry. He hesitates, says “No”, before correcting with a “Yes”. He appears insincere, unequivocal, and unrepentant. The most telling sign is with his parting answer to whether he will bully again. “Most probably not,” instead of a direct “No, I won’t.”
Compare this with Casey’s earnest expressions, how he describes his bullying experiences in detail as opposed to Richard’s rather vague attempt at justifying his actions (I think he’s lying about bullied himself). And look carefully at the end, when he tears up as he describes the support of people who share similar experiences with him. If he was indeed a bully, he would be showing a ‘serial killer grin’ (a smile commonly used by megalomaniac or narcissistic felons when their crimes are read in court).
I know all this from reading several body-language books, watching shows like ‘Lie to Me’ and ‘NCIS:LA’ and common-sense intuition, and I’m saying, Richard is a liar. If you don’t believe me, watch his video again, except this time put it on mute and pay close attention to his body language. Or read this blog post of a murderer’s sentencing and watch that interview again.
If anything, the people I feel most sorry for are not Casey (who some would say used ‘excessive force’ in his self-defense), but Richard’s parents. Especially Richard’s dad, who is clearly feeling upset at the demonisation of his family as a result of his son’s irresponsible actions.
…
I personally, have been a victim of bullying, not in one, or two, but all three of the high schools I’ve been through. I know I brought none of this upon myself, because I had good friends who were similarly tormented by the bullies. Perhaps it was my naivety or trusting nature that led me to become the victim. Fortunately, I’ve made friends with my bully in the second school, and we left each other on good terms. It’s the other two that have left an unpleasant scar on my teenage years. I have since learnt to forgive and ‘make peace’ with them in my mind, though I really wouldn’t know what to say if I ever meet them again.
To all those who have been victims of bullies, all I can say is, things will get better. Elementary/high school is but only one stage of your life, and you have a whole life of friends and enemies ahead of you. The best thing you can do is to have courage in your beliefs, never treat anyone how you would not like to be treated, and make as many friends as you can. I won’t advise fighting back against the bully unless it’s a matter of life-and-death or in self-defense. Just ignore the bully or walk away. Then tell a teacher or a parent, and they’ll know what best to do. And please don’t think of yourself as a tattletale. That’s what the bullies want you to think. You have a right to a happy and fulfilling life, not one filled with fear and torment.
To bullies, I only ask that you think about what you are doing the victim. If you think you are only playing, or that this is the ‘good-natured fun’, let me tell you, it’s not when the target of your jokes or pranks are crying. If you think this person ‘deserves it’, let me ask you, would you like the same thing done to you? If your victim gets injured or killed (whether by your actions or self-imposed), can you live with that guilt for the rest of your life?