Bullying has been a problem since long before my time. It wasn’t acceptable then, and it surely isn’t acceptable now. I think bullying has been taken to a different level now because those who bully can reach their targets through more than just being right there in front of them.
They can text message, instant message them and call them on their cell phone. In many cases, they can use a webcam against their targets.
I’m tired of seeing stories on the news about people committing suicide because they feel that they can’t deal with being bullied. People have their own ways of dealing with their problems, even if temporarily.
Recently, Tyler Clementi, a Rutgers University freshman, jumped off a bridge after he realized his roommate and a woman had secretly used a webcam when he was engaging in intimate activity with another man. His private life became public. This is only a recent example of a hate crime and cyber-bullying. It needs to stop now. 
Ravi and Wei are facing charges that can lead to imprisonment. They will have to be punished one way or another. This incident is too serious to be taken lightly.
Ravi and Wei didn’t broadcast themselves. Even if they did that, then it would’ve just been poor judgment on their part. However, they chose a sensitive man. I don’t know if they intended to embarrass Clementi or not, but I do think it’s disrespectful and selfish. Also, I think when Ravi and Wei used that webcam, they broke one of the golden rules between two or more roommates. When people are in their rooms, they have an expectation of privacy.
With the Internet comes a bigger chance of that expectation being violated. The rules of conduct have seemingly been thrown out the window. We all know that webcams, Twitter and the Internet aren’t that old. But violating another person’s privacy is very old.
There are laws that are supposed to help people who are bullied. Many of the laws are limited. And some people are demanding that their schools do more after this incident and many others across the country.
It’s often hard to do anything about bullying because some people don’t want to be embarrassed by taking it to a higher authority, like a teacher, principal or even a parent.
They fear that the person who bullies them will make their lives even more miserable. There are many heartless people out there who will do whatever they want.
And some know how to do it without getting into any trouble. Some pick on others because they feel another person is inferior to them. Some people do it because they have a group of friends who can back them up without fear of retaliation from the victim.
I wouldn’t inflict this kind of pain on even my worst enemy. I just wish that people would act the way they want to be treated. These old words seem to be more easily spoken than acted upon. 
There can be a different ending to suicides if at least one of the other people involved steps up and vehemently disagrees.
Clementi could still be alive today. Some of the other victims could be alive today as well, if not for the bullying.
I feel that people, especially teachers, should do whatever they can to stop bullying. They are held to a higher standard than many other people.
Sometimes, scared students tell their teachers a student is picking on them but don’t get any help. I find the failure of people to step in and help another fellow human being to be incomprehensible.
Ravi and Wei will have to deal with their actions. Whether they knew what they were doing was wrong or not, it still doesn’t make the pain go away.
They will have to deal with the judicial system, as well as dealing with angry people who disagree with their actions. I, for one, think they deserve whatever punishment they get. They bullied, and they got caught. Just because they didn’t use a conventional bullying style, we as a society need to learn to recognize cyber bullying. This bullying is just as serious, and it is time we bring this issue to light.
Christopher Webb is a junior majoring in business administration. He can be contacted at [email protected].