Was Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Bullied?

[benjipwns]

yes, of course he was:

Most people think of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" as a cute little story about a cute little reindeer with a cute shiny nose and a happy ending.

Think again, says George Giuliani, a special ed professor at Long Island University in New York, who has written an alternative to the Christmas classic called "No More Bullies at the North Pole."

He recently went on "Fox & Friends" to discuss the issue and says the treatment Rudolph receives from jolly St. Nick and his merry band of reindeer is tantamount to bullying.

For example, when Comet, the team coach, discovers Rudolph's nose glows, he banishes him from the team and tells the other reindeer to never let him join in any reindeer games.

"What a terrible message to send to children," Giuliani told ABCNews.com.

...

But Rudolph has a happy ending, you may say. Santa realizes the reindeer's glowing red nose can actually guide his sleigh through a Christmas night snowstorm. Everyone applauds. End of story, right?

Not so fast, says Giuliani. "The message to disabled children is we will not accept you as you are, but only if you can do something extraordinary," he said.

Herbert Nieburg, a Connecticut psychologist and bullying expert, said Rudolph's story is absolutely a case of bullying, specifically "ostracism and exclusion."

...

For parents who grew up with these classic Christmas cartoons, it's no longer enough to sit and enjoy them with your children.

"Parents should have a conversation with their kids," Nieburg said, "the main one being about difference. How do we work with people who are different? It's not just having a red nose, it's being gay, smart, athletic. Parents should talk constantly with kids about how we treat other people."

Giuliani invites parents to read his book with their kids after watching Rudolph. The book, which can be downloaded at his website learningaboutbullying.com is about 10 of Santa's policies that Mrs. Claus shows him are unfair or hurtful. It's a book that reflects the times we live in.

Professor Giuliani vs. Random Stand-Up "Comedian" on Fox & Friends:


Have a socially relevant holiday season!

[chronovore]

Santa gets right on top of that, and cuts it off, right at the beginning of the news segment. The whole story teaches that individual worth cannot be measured by how well one fits in with the status quo.

I don't mind them saying it's about bullying -- it may be -- but it doesn't glorify or excuse it.

[The Sceneman]

the guy in the preview frame of that video looks like Vigo the Carpathian

[Trent Dole]

Santa gets right on top of that, and cuts it off, right at the beginning of the news segment. The whole story teaches that individual worth cannot be measured by how well one fits in with the status quo.

I don't mind them saying it's about bullying -- it may be -- but it doesn't glorify or excuse it.

Rudolph gets shat on initally but turns out to be the fucking man. This holiday special is fucking catnip for social outcasts. One of my faves natch.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

I have a stuffed spotted elephant

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