CHECK JOU BEK

THE more things change, the more they stay the same. 

Just because people aren’t dancing around fires to burn witches at the stake, it does not mean that human beings are less bloodthirsty than they were back in the dark ages. 

Today, this bloodthirsty mob is disguised in the form of keyboard warriors, who - at times - hide behind fake profiles on social media platforms just to spread hatred by making sick comments. 

If this is an indication of where society's heads are, then I am REALLY concerned about our country. 

Look, there are no winners in this whole Milnerton High School bullying-assault drama and we can only hope that everything that happened and the decisions that are yet to be made will act as a catalyst for change for the good going forward.

It is, however, the comments made on social media following the claim of one of the mothers of the accused that her son was nearly struck during an attempted hit-and-run that bothered me. 

One person made reference to the eight boys believed to be the attackers in the viral video and after there was an alleged attempted hit and run on the one, wrote: “I’m proud of the driver 7 more to go.” (sic)

Another added: “He [the boy] will have to watch his back. Acceptably.” 

“Hope the car is okay…” one joked, while another wrote: “Feel the fear”. 

“Not Lekker now ne die k@k Gaan nog spat hulle dink mos hulle was kwaai,” read another post. 

Adults? Are these adults threatening and these boys? 

There were loads more, some way sicker than these. 

Mense, think before you post things like this. You are inciting violence and fueling hatred.

While you might not plan to act on your words, someone else might use it as fuel and do something they end up regretting for the rest of their lives. 

As adults trying to put an end to bullying or assault of others, why would you encourage someone to knock over a child with his or her car? It reeks of hypocrisy.  

In another post, the coach of the Milnerton rugby team was implicated in the matter, with the poster writing: “This is the rugby coach of Milnerton High. He is as culpable as those children. His coaching credentials should be revoked. He has created monsters. He must step down. [Name here] should resign.” 

A well-known politician then responded with: “You are one sick twisted individual. This man has done [more] for rugby development than what you would ever achieve behind your keyboard.”

Kudos to that response.  

But read the argument of the poster again. “He created monsters” and now he must lose his job. 

Wow! Simply wow! When is too far, too far on social media? 

The problem is, one person conjures up this radical thought and others take it forward. We are creating a really dangerous world digitally. Open your eyes!

Because of these messages and how people responded, one of the parents of the accused was quoted by Tygerburger as saying: “We are fearing for our lives. 

“We’ve received messages and threats from people we don’t even know. The public don’t realise that there are families and children behind these names. We are not sleeping at night.”

I do not wish that on any of you reading this, even if we have a difference of opinion. 

If justice is really what you are after, allow the law to take its course. 

This incident should be used as an example for future school bullies to think twice before they start assaulting fellow learners. 

And therefore I’d like to see a good example made of these learners. By good I mean, punish them, make the punishment fit the crime. But don’t destroy their lives. Allow them the opportunity to become better men because of this. 

Sometimes, and I include myself in this, you just really need to check jou bek. Duds just the way it is.

Until next time, be blessed and have a lekker week.