Bullies

The topic of peer violence, but also many other things connected in one way or another with this very phenomenon, have simply flooded Montenegrin society these days. What has been said especially reinforces the impression that many are surprised who, by the nature of the job, should not be. Everyone leaves the impression that they are - taken aback. And educators, and politicians and parents, the entire public. It will not be that this topic fell from the sky, cruelty has been a kind of refrain in every Montenegrin work for hundreds of years. If we have three hundred and fifty cases of peer violence in two years (as we saw in the famous report), that is an average of one case every two days. How come this topic has become more visible only now? And that almost all those responsible chose the attitude of a passing British tourist: politely amazed, but emotionally uninvolved.

Unlike those from whom, by the nature of systemic solutions, you expect action, the reaction of society (citizens, media, NGOs) this time is more serious and convincing.

In one of the cases, one such Montenegrin moment appeared, another treat for lovers of tradition - thugs from "better houses". Little primitives who imitate rascals and criminals are convinced that they actually "read" social relations well and are doing the right thing: treading less. In their world, whoever did something, did it with cruelty and willingness to do anything. I believe that the stories they grew up with are like that. Some of the young thugs are the sons of police officers, while others are the sons of respected law enforcement officers. Here is the second part of the "seal" that gives a full picture of the current situation with numerous policemen and judges, prosecutors. Perhaps this kind of youth best shows how devastated the local public scene is, how criminalized is the part of society that should lead the fight against crime.

The Bar case is a disgrace with the seal of hideous nationalism. But also confirmation of the toughest stereotype about primitive savage natives.

The statement of the father from Sarajevo - that he is convinced that if his son was drowning in the sea, these same young thugs would have jumped in to help him - deserves true respect and admiration.

So what happens then, yes, young people who would help a drowning man - and I am convinced - instead unchivalrously and inhumanely beat two young athletes from Sarajevo? Besides them, is anyone else possibly guilty?

Maybe - politicians who falsify reality and flirt with nationalism - young thugs believe them, so they are bothered by someone's language or jersey.

Maybe - pops who make paramilitary formations out of confused minors, selling them stories of unity in "brotherhood". Maybe - police officers, many of whom play for the opposing team. Perhaps - judges who do not burden themselves with truth and justice. Maybe even a society that does not (yet) have the mechanisms to react more actively to this phenomenon. All that, in a way, makes this kind of event possible.

The moving address of one local parent, after the attack on his high school son, gives a true picture of the hell that the victims of this kind of violence go through. The boys, after the police were informed, immediately rushed to repeat the attack. This is how serious the police are in curbing peer violence. I wouldn't be surprised if some policeman suggested to them - Go ahead, scare him a little...

You don't enroll overnight in the universities of Kavac and Skaljar, it seems that candidates have to prove themselves from kindergarten and elementary school.

But forget all that for a moment. All our stories are nothing compared to the feeling of fear and humiliation that a young man has to carry when he goes to school or a park or a playground like some kind of thug. Summon it, try to present it to yourself.

This society, if it exists, must make young people count on elementary security. Only then can they be anything else - talented, hardworking, playful... Everything that these others, young bullies, "recognize" as - suspicious.

The fate of every society, including this one, depends on who will prevail. That is why it is important to react.