Bullying is a huge problem in the U.S., as well as other parts of the world, as demonstrated recently by the now-viral video of two Australian boys, Richard Gale and Casey Heynes, throwing down in a school breezeway. Watching the video, it appears simple: Twelve-year-old Richard Gale, the smaller of the two boys, is hitting and taunting the larger 16-year-old boy, Casey Heynes.

In various media venues, Heynes has spoken about being bullied constantly throughout his life, saying that he as been called “fattie” for years. This time, he “snapped” and fought back against one of his bullies, in self-defense. “I was just like, yea, finally, it’s over,” he said in an interview with Australian television show, “A Current Affair,” ABCs Good Morning America reported.

Heynes’ dad said that his son’s fight was nothing to be proud of, but that he was glad that he stood up for himself. It has changed his self-esteem, he said. “He’s standing a lot straighter, a lot more proud,” he said, “which is good for him."

Gale, on the other hand, is now claiming that he has been bullied, as well, and that Heynes actually taunted him first, before the cameras began rolling. In an interview with the Australian television show “Today Tonight,” Gale indicates that he is not remorseful for hitting Gale, until prompted by his father to say, yes, he was sorry. But, after additional questioning by the reporter, Gale says that, actually, no, he is not sorry, “because he started on me first.” Later in the interview, however, he takes a different route, saying, “Sorry that I picked on him, and I didn’t know that he’s bullied his whole school life,” apologizing, but also admitting that, yes, he had picked on the older Heynes.

Possibly, a report on NBCs Today Show indicated, Gale could have been bullied in the past and, when he had the opportunity, became the bully himself.

Both boys were suspended, due to the school’s zero tolerance policy.

Image: Wikimedia Commons



Video: YouTube