Lessons learned

Lessons learned-Sunny Tse
“It took a tragic death and time in prison for one bully to realize what he was doing was wrong.”

We are often told about the victims of bullying, but if’s rare to hear what becomes of bullies.

Young Post tracked down one of the offenders in one of the most serious bullying cases in recent years to find out how bullies put their future at risk.

From his boy-next-door looks, you would never have guessed 20-year-old Pon-not his real name-was involved in a murder, and spent two and half years in a juvenile jail.

It all started at secondary school. In Pon’s Kowloon School, bullying and triad activities were common. Teachers were unable to stop the bullies, who often had triad connections, from ruling the school.

“If you said something they didn’t like, they beat you up,” Pon says. “If they thought you were staring at them, they beat you up. If you hadn’t done anything but they were in a bad mood, they still beat you up.”

For Pon, then 13, it was only a matter of time before he became involved:” He [a bully] bumped into me. He thought I was blocking his way and he beat me up.” He fought back in self-defence, but that made matters worse. The gang held a grudge and bullied him when there were no teachers around.

“The only way I could avoid being picked on was to be one of them,” says Pon. He asked the gang leader if he could join. In return, he had to “give a helping hand” when needed.

Pon says some students who were used to being picked on would hang around with a gang, even if this meant being used as punching bags or forced to do gang members’ homework. “This may sound silly, but at least they wouldn’t be abused by anyone else,” says Pon.

Pon started Form Four in a new school, only to be kicked out after two months.

In 2004, without a job or school place, Pon joined another gang. In the new pack was an overweight girl called Ying, whom the other girl found irritating. They accused her of stealing their mobile phones and money, and encouraged the gang to “give her a lesson”. Ying was summoned to the gang’s hang-out.

“Since Ying was my friend, once I learned about the plan, I told her not to come. But she thought that if being beaten up meant she could remain in the group, she was prepared to accept it,” Pon says.

About 20 people were there and took turns hitting Ying. Some used glass bottles and 30-pound dumbbells. Then Pon took his turn.

“I just had to punch her, not fiercely but hard enough to convince the others I was on their side. Or I would be the next victim,” he says.

Ying didn’t scream or cry, which annoyed the gang even more. They kept pounding her until dawn. Ying was locked in the flat and Pon thought the “lesson” was over.

A week later. Pon was called to the flat where he found Ying lying unconscious. The gang had beaten her again – and this time she didn’t survive. “I wasn’t scared at first.” says Pon. “I simply couldn’t believe how fragile life is.”

The gang members were arrested and none charged in connection with Ying’s death. Eight of them, including Pon, were convicted. Pon was sent to prison.

During his time behind bars, Pon realized the mistakes he had made, and that he should have called the police. He decided to turn over a new leaf.

“I know Ying’s family will never forgive me,” he says. “I’m sorry I put my mother through all this.”

2. Summary

A bully calls Pon, 20 year old, was spent two and half years in prison about a murder. He was bullied when he was 13. Owing to avoid being the target again, he joined to be a bully. In 2004, he joined another gang and recognized an overweight girl called Ying, but she became the new target by the gang. Pon has told her about this plan, but she did not mind. The gang punched and took something hitting her, and at last, she was killed. The gang members were arrested and charged in connection with Ying’s death. Pon realized the mistakes he had made, and he decided to turn over a new leaf.

3. Feedback

What a deplorable event! A boy, because of his weakness and cowardice, he did not want to be the next victims and he made a choice that from a common boy to be a ruthless gang. He committed the error when he was young. But, does he really want to be a murderer? I do not think so. Certainly, he can prevent the accident to happen, But, is it all his responsibility? Of course, maybe, some of the people have the same thoughts as to it. However, almost all of them did not want to make such tragic death, especially is Pon. He is the victim’s friend! What sad and shocked when he knew his friend was dead. It is unfair to pin the blame on the ignorant and young teenager merely. If he was not under the threat and oppression, would he do such thing? Pon is a coward person, but it is not his wrong. The real wrong is different kind of oppressions and crimes on the society.