The death of a bully

[Nicolefranklin]

Hi, Escapist.

I just found out not 10 minutes ago, that apparently my very own, personal high school bully, was shot and killed a few days ago. This is a guy, that most of us saw as highly unlikeable, and he continued to make my life hell ages after we both graduated.
I honestly believe, that if I met him on the street today, I would hear the same taunts from him, as five years ago. At least that was honestly the case when I saw him last. And that's not that long ago.

Most of my old classmates has shown sadness by his passing. Some are even attending the funeral. None of us really liked him, yet, I suppose it's common decency, and instinct, to be sad in a situation like this. Or, is it?

Am I wrong, for not feeling anything? Even now, I can't produce a single positive thought on the guy. I'm a bit shocked, yes, but that's mostly in regards to a murder occuring in my little town.

What do you guys think? Am I a horrible human being, for feeling so indifferent to his death?
And what about you guys? I think most of us has had our very own bully, and some of us might not even be rid of them yet. How are you supposed to react, and how would you react?



NOTE: I'm sorry for the lack of big, existential discussion value here, but I know that if I do tell someone at home, just how I feel (or don't feel), I will get that "horrible person" reaction.

 

[cuddly_tomato]

No you aren't wrong for not feeling anything. That is a normal reaction. If you were celebrating and dancing in the streets I might be concerned, but to simply not feel anything concerning the death of this person is quite acceptable in my view.

 

[nolongerhere]

Why should you feel sad for him? He was a dick. I know plenty of people like that. If they died, I wouldn't act sad, because I wouldn't be. Some made my life a living hell, others were just unpleasant. But I wouldn't mourn for them, because I didn't like them, and no-one should expect you to do it for this guy.

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

You're not horrible for not feeling anything.

[sub][sub]You're horrible for killing him![/sub][/sub]

 

[Totenkopf]

He bullied you, and you hate him so much that you can't find a single redeeming point about that guy, there's not really a reason to be sad about his death. At least in my point of view.

 

[xAFROMANx]

you honestly felt nothing for him dieing? it might just be me cause i hate death in general, and i get why you wouldn't be extermely upset by him passing, but i would of thought you'd feel even the slightest bit saddened by it.

 

[iLikeHippos]

Would you feel sad if you knew one of your other classmates died?

It would just be shocking to me, nothing more. And if my/a bully died, I'd just be shocked and think "That's life I guess. Don't fuck with the wrong people."

Than I would continue doing sweet fuck'all.

And on a side note, no. I don't think you're evil or horrible for it. Peeing on his grave would be though.

 

[DoctorNick]

I don't know what this guy did to you, but generally speaking I don't think someone being a prick at school merits their death. There are exceedingly few people I would say have no value whatsoever and I feel uncomfortable making such judgments even if it's only in my mind.

Having said that, I don't think there's anything wrong with you not feeling sad that he died being that you had no great love of him or any reason to care.

Just don't go pissing on his grave or anything, that might be a bit much.

 

[Nicolefranklin]

It's a bit comforting to see I'm not the only one then. What got to me in this whole thing, was seeing my best friend from that school, just putting up a very sad, and touching memorial status on facebook for the guy. She took a lot of hits with me from him, and she can still manage to feel sad.

Maybe I was scared, that I had just reached that point of my anti-social lifestyle, that a thing like this wouldn't get to me. Then again, if that's the case, maybe the internet was the wrong place to look for answers.

 

[Nicolefranklin]

When I say that I felt nothing, I truly mean nothing.
I'm not happy by this, either. It's just a huge truckload of nothing. I never wished him, or anyone else from that place dead, and I'm not about to go gravedancing.

 

[Outright Villainy]

Nah, if you hated him in life, why would that change in death? He was a total dick to you, you have no reason to mourn his passing. It's silly to feel ashamed of that.

 

[Latinidiot]

I think you right. you should not care. you might even be elated that the fucker won't bother you gain, but don't show it. people don't like that

 

[EeveeElectro]

No, I'd feel the same.
Karma.
Some might not like this, but no wonder he was shot if he acted like that.

 

[Deleted]

Hi, Escapist.

I just found out not 10 minutes ago, that apparently my very own, personal high school bully, was shot and killed a few days ago. This is a guy, that most of us saw as highly unlikeable, and he continued to make my life hell ages after we both graduated.
I honestly believe, that if I met him on the street today, I would hear the same taunts from him, as five years ago. At least that was honestly the case when I saw him last. And that's not that long ago.

Most of my old classmates has shown sadness by his passing. Some are even attending the funeral. None of us really liked him, yet, I suppose it's common decency, and instinct, to be sad in a situation like this. Or, is it?

Am I wrong, for not feeling anything? Even now, I can't produce a single positive thought on the guy. I'm a bit shocked, yes, but that's mostly in regards to a murder occuring in my little town.

What do you guys think? Am I a horrible human being, for feeling so indifferent to his death?
And what about you guys? I think most of us has had our very own bully, and some of us might not even be rid of them yet. How are you supposed to react, and how would you react?



NOTE: I'm sorry for the lack of big, existential discussion value here, but I know that if I do tell someone at home, just how I feel (or don't feel), I will get that "horrible person" reaction.

Nothing wrong with that. Just don't tell people that you don't care because they'll see you as a horrible person and disregard what he may have done to you.

 

[mobsterlobster]

I have to agree with pretty much everyone in this thread. So my response is pointless really. But it's a bit of extra confirmation that you're not crazy or evil or anything.
It actualy annoys me when someone dies and everyone suddenly loves them. Why change your opinion of someone just because they've died? That's not fair.

 

[Zersy]

Killing him makes you horrible.

Pissing on his grave makes you a hero

 

[Bat Vader]

What was the reason for him getting shot? How did he keep bullying you after you both graduated? Did you two live close to one another?

It is pretty normal for you not to feel anything. You pretty much hated this guy and now that he is dead you don't really feel sad about his death since he bullied you. That does not make you a bad person. If you were happy he died than I might think of you as a bit of a bad person but I could also understand it since I was bullied in school as well.

 

[NoNameMcgee]

I wasn't bullied at school, so I can't really relate; but I can safely say if I ever was bullied and then the person died I would not be sad.

I would never wish death on someone for something like bullying, but I wouldn't mourn their loss either. I know some people who are not horrible people, but I particularly dislike them, and if they died tomorrow: sure I would not wish that to happen but if it did there is no way I would feel sad. I wouldn't mourn the loss of anyone I don't like, I'd just feel indifferent. People die every day and if it's someone I don't like I will just stay out of it and let his/her friends and family mourn the loss.

So nope, you're not a terrible person at all. I think questioning feelings, or a lack there of, is normal and proof in itself that you are not a terrible person (because you feel bad for not feeling bad, which is irrational in this case but noble and proves you're a good person)