On Bullying…

My daughter was bullied for being slow in math despite being Indian.

It’s unheard of in the Bay Area — not the bullying, but the fact that you can be of Indian descent and not automatically be a math whiz.

The pinching, the name-calling, the kicking … all of which the home room teacher turned a blind eye to. We pulled her out after two months of inaction. This was in second grade. Since then she has had two more school changes, for similar reasons.

She carries that burden even though she knows how loved she is at home.

• That feeling of “not being good enough.”

• That feeling that she’s not just letting herself down but an entire race!

• That feeling that she must prove herself to be more.

It’s hard to build resilience when it constantly feels like you’re under attack.

Some folks might think that my asking for prayers that she get into the kindness-based middle school of her choice might be a bit over the top.

Well, now you have context.

It’s not just middle school — it’s a chance for her to see herself in a more positive light within a nurturing environment during her formative years.

And no, it’s not going to break her if she doesn’t get in, but it might just change her worldview if she does.