Comments for Joe Salvatore

Comment on Remembering Craig with a thank you, 10/9/66-9/24/06 by admin

admin — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 02:56:03 +0000

Thanks to everyone who has commented today. It means a lot to know that others are thinking of Craig as well. I appreciate the support. xx

Comment on Remembering Craig with a thank you, 10/9/66-9/24/06 by Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 22:42:45 +0000

Beautifully said, Joe. I know how much Craig appreciated how you cared for him particularly through such difficult times… you are a special person. This is the first I’ve heard of the 8-page letter, why doesn’t that surprise me??! Thoughtful and generous to the end I haven’t opened the box from him you sent me (I know, silly)… just haven’t been ready. Maybe today’s the day… probably not. It feels too final. I miss him so much. Thinking of you… Love, Julie
(p.s. And btw, Craig would NOT be happy that “All My Children” was canceled!)

Comment on Stop bullying: it’s not brain surgery, people by Deb H

Deb H — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:41:24 +0000

I appreciate you sharing your personal experiences. Growing up, I myself was very naïve. I did not always realize the bias and oppression of those around me. Additionally, when we were kids, the hurtful words you spoke of were only classified as “bad words”. Our parent’s said them, the media said them and we could hear them in movies and music. The more I learn about child development, peer pressure and learned behavior; I can understand why kids called other kids those names. By no means am I saying I like it! But when the norm behavior is to call someone “gay” for not being the same as everyone else, even good people can be unintentionally mean.

Fortunately, people are speaking up. The more discussions we have about the long term negative effects of name calling and bullying the more we can help adults working with children to make a change in this behavior. I try to see the good in everyone (I’m forever an optimist) and I really do think that the world is changing. There are new bullying laws here in NJ that are forcing schools and teachers to become involved. I also think that parent education is important as well. Teaching parents what they can do to help their children and especially how to monitor their “cyber” activities like Facebook and texting will make a difference. In my current occupation I have the privilege of working with teens and their parents and hope to make a difference in this realm . In my experience, kids don’t want to be mean, people in general do not want to offend or harm another person. We just need to work to make them aware that their actions and behaviors do have consequences which are sometimes irreversible.

Thanks again for sharing your experience and feelings. I look forward to reading your perspective on different topics.

Comment on Stop bullying: it’s not brain surgery, people by admin

admin — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 02:41:33 +0000

Amy, thanks for commenting. I know that you get this, deeply, and I’m happy to know that there are parents like you who can be allies for young people and for teachers and administrators that need support when closed-mindedness looms large.

Comment on Stop bullying: it’s not brain surgery, people by Amy

Amy — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 02:22:40 +0000

Joe – you have such a way with words. When I read what you write, I find myself nodding and thinking, “Yes, that’s exactly right. That’s exactly what I think.” Thank you for sharing this.

Comment on The silver lining of a tragedy by Bombay Beauty

Bombay Beauty — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:15:49 +0000

Very much my feelings yesterday. I wanted to say something, but nothing profound was on tap. But I ended up with a similar feeling: the event was like the shading of color with black, that both renders the brights that much richer but also leaves us to see if not feel the black that lies beneath… bb

Comment on Following through on “Pay Attention” by Beth Robbins

Beth Robbins — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:10:01 +0000

Love this Joey!!! As a mom of a child who has suffered from being bullied this means a lot. I spoke with an administrator last year stating my fears about my son’s mental health stating how kids have committed suicide from not being able to deal. Her response, “Nicky is a very capable young man, you don’t need to worry.” Her response made me worry more as she obviously was oblivious to what was going on in my son’s head. Thanks for sharing, friend.

Comment on Education reformers should bone up on Darwin by miguel

miguel — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 22:44:14 +0000

Your point is well illustrated in “No Child Left Behind”. Even though it leads states to put great emphasis on school-level testing results, (I am pretty sure) *individual* children are *not* informed of their own performance, nor is it ever made public. The tests it involves have few if any consequences for the children themselves.

Comment on Something just clicked…loudly by emily

emily — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 01:17:25 +0000

excellent! i agree there has been a new transformation for everyone: single parents too! i believe we cannot help but embrace each individual w a greater understanding and love when it comes to the child
in all of us. as a single gal of 30 (something), not ready to decide on marriage anytime soon and yet am inspired to see how freedom feels when we share the experience together!

Comment on Something just clicked…loudly by admin

admin — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 22:19:08 +0000

Janet, I couldn’t agree with you more about respecting history. I work to honor those struggles by living my life fully rather than re-living the horror stories of the past. As you say, those aren’t my horror stories, and I’m very lucky. If I claim to own them when I haven’t experienced them, then I’m actually claiming an experience that’s not my own. And for me, that would be bad, and I’d be offending the memory of people like Louie and the countless others who actually lived those horror stories.