Fighting Back Bullying is a serious issue that affects about one in five kids every school year. In Sherman Alexie's book "How To Fight Monsters," the main character, Junior, is a victim of bullying by Roger. Roger called him names like Tonto and Chief, causing Junior distress. He had recently moved schools from Wellpinit to Reardan, where the only Indians there were him and the mascot. During lunchtime, Junior decided to follow the principles he was taught as a child and punched Roger, resulting in his nose bleeding. While some may argue that Junior was wrong to resort to violence, I believe that Roger deserved to be punched. Being cruel to someone will only bring bad karma, and Junior's bravery in standing up to his bully should be praised …show more content…
I got into my first fistfight when I was three years old, and I’d been in dozens since” (Alexie 23). So, when Roger insulted him, Junior instinctively responded with harsh force. It's challenging to adjust to a new environment with unfamiliar social norms. Nonetheless, it's understandable that someone might continue to follow the rules they were raised with, regardless of their surroundings. Furthermore, Junior's behavior was influenced by Roger's actions. Had Roger treated Junior with kindness and respect, rather than making offensive jokes about Indians, black people, and buffalo, Junior would not have felt compelled to react violently. As Junior himself explained, “I couldn’t let them get away with that ugliness. I wasn’t just defending myself. I was defending Indians, black people, and buffalo” (Alexie 24). The unfair treatment that Junior received from Roger left him with no other option but to take matters into his own hands. We must acknowledge the consequences of our actions and ensure that everyone is treated fairly. The statement highlights the debate surrounding Junior's violent response to the bullying he faced in school, which some believe perpetuates negative stereotypes about Native