I cannot for the life of me imagine what Joyce would look like as a real person. She just looks like Spongebob to me.
What is that hair color? Who has it?
It’s maybe one of the most common hair colours in northern Europe. So much that in my country it’s regarded as the single most boring hair colour in existence. We call it “municipality-coloured hair”.
Also, I have literally just found out that American popular media call it “bronde” and it was apparently the ‘it-colour’ 3-6 years ago (maybe still)?
I’ve met real life joyce. She was my best friend in 8th grade.
Very pretty, big smile, super religious. She would beat me with a ruler if I ever cursed around her and got mad at me for a whole day once because I said gay people are just born that way, then again because I said we don’t know what happened, in terms of creationism vs evolution (which, I was being charitable for her sake. Obviously we know evolution happened). I was only friends with her because we were friends years ago in ballet class and would run into each other periodically afterwards, I had no idea she was so brain washed. I worry about her a lot actually, she should be in some American Christian college by now, and I’m worried the same thing that happened to Joyce will happen to her.
She had a couple crushes and had to fend off boys a lot, but I don’t remember any warped ideas of love, just that she was really sexually repressed. I wouldn’t be surprised if she had iffy ideas of consent and women’s roles in marriage though.
Taylor Swift’s hair is generally blonder than how I’d envision Joyce’s hair, but I could see it being meant to be that color. It’s weird to me when Joyce is referred to as “blonde,” as I see her hair as brown, and that’s how I’d see the real-life equivalent too. I think “mousy” is a good description, but that always pairs with “brown” for me– “mousy brown hair.”
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Joyce is physically the strongest girl in this comic. Stronger than Sal, stronger than Amber. In the running for strongest period.
It’s kind of just a joke on my part. Joyce is in a rather unique situation where she sort of boasts the most amazing feats of strength in this comic. Sal and Amber are better fighters hands down but Joyce has a few standout moments.
Look at this shit! http://www.dumbingofage.com/2015/comic/book-6/01-to-those-whod-ground-me/strength-2/
I haven’t seen an official size chart but Ross looks like a huge fucking guy who obviously works out by the size of his arms and chest. Joyce knocked him flying in one punch. Sure adrenaline helps, but don’t try to pass some strength of god shit on me. That’s real power! Amber’s probably closest to her because she pounded the tar out of Blaine and I think Ross and Blaine might be comparable in size. I think Ross is bigger though.
People will say. “Oh that’s not hard.” I challenge you to go kick in a window frame and all and tell me how hard it’s not.
That’s about it really. Not much but more than most people who have only really done stuff like lift chairs. I think Ruth flipped Blaine once? Sal and Amber are great fighters but did send a huge guy flying with one punch? No. They were having trouble with Ryan and his legion of average sized dude bros. This isn’t a hardcore battle manga so stuff like that isn’t really the focus. I’m sure all of this can easily be disputed but until then Joyce kind of stands at the top of that small hill.
BBCC
Becky said Toedad is around Sal’s height. So 5’7ish. He is a big guy, but if you’re good and pissed off and have adrenaline spiking, you can definitely knock him flying. She also describes him as ‘a fleshy shuttlecock’ so I suspect he’s not as much muscle as you’d think at first glance. Ditto for kicking in a window frame – especially since they’re specifically harnessing Joyce’s fury.
Kris
Ross is only 5,7? That seems low balling it to me. I mean I wasn’t thinking he was 6ft or anything but he seemed taller than 5,7. I’m also guessing around 300lbs. That’s a substantial amount. You can argue adrenaline sure but that doesn’t discount what happened. Still one of the most impressive feats in the comic. Mostly because no one else has gotten into many physical confrontations.
The window thing is more unclear. I’m not sure you can summon adrenaline on command and if you can I doubt Joyce has that ability. That power was hers. Becky couldn’t kick that window in and Jocelyn didn’t even try. Both of them definitely weaker than Joyce and so is Walky apparently.
When you believe you can do anything, you generally can do anything.*
*Within the range of limitations of a human body
**Which does not include walking on water. Attempts to walk on water end in sadness and hilarious Vines/YouTube fail videos. ^^;
Roborat
I live in northern Alberta, I can walk on water about six months of the year.
BarerMender
I know. Let’s see you do that on the Sea of Galilee.
I have a really good musical memory, and I can “hear” a piece of music in my head without any actual playback. I used to refer to this as my “internal Walkman.” Some years later, I called it my “internal iPod.” But now, I don’t have a meaningful reference. Because…
The idea of a separate handheld device just for playing music is pretty much gone. Radio is still important, and vinyl makes periodic resurgences, but mostly I listen to music on my computer when I’m at home, or on my phone when I’m not. And both of those devices are used for a lot of other things besides music.
I’m trying to remember what happened to my last boombox. I remember that I kept it because it was the only way for me to play cassette tapes, and then the cassette player stopped working and it was no longer of any use to me (computers had already taken over the CD playing role.)
So… I know that Walky was pretty immature earlier in the semester (Dorothy was insane to go out with a guy who expressed his feelings by throwing a toy at her head), but he’s had some development since then. He still has major character flaws (such as the way he handles his calc class) but he’s also showing development.
Even the calc thing is getting a little bit better. This story is kicked off by Walky not immediately taking an excuse to skip out on math, and trying to find out if it’s legit.
I mean I’ve said this multiple times before and I don’t want to rant. Short version is he’s immature, cartoonishly so. His problems get solved for him. He has it too easy if that makes sense. And he’s just annoying in general. He’s not someone I’d like in real life.
Nono
His problems also feel… small scale compared to most of the cast? I know, that’s not quite fair to Walky. But when people are freaking out about PTSD, accepting their sexuality, racial abuse, grounds for firing… Walky being unable to cope with bad grades and poor study habits just seem immature.
BBCC
On the other hand, Walky’s problem is also very common and it’s nice seeing more run of the mill less serious issues. Maybe Walky’s not your style, but it’s also nice with other characters.
threePwny
It makes him one of the most relatable to me because, hey, I dropped out of college after two years because depression crushed my academic ability so hard that I literally couldn’t do schoolwork. Maybe Walky’s not dealing with clinical depression, but that’s still some real shit to deal with.
Zee
I really don’t think its fair to draw that sort of comparison. It’s that kind of academic struggle that almost drove me to suicide in high school (I’m all good now). I get what you’re saying but its still a bigger problem than what he’s faced before and thus it will impact him negatively
BarerMender
Plus, he doesn’t bathe regularly nor wash his underwear. He’s too lazy to tie his shoes, forchrisesake.
chris73
Yeah this, because of the way he was brought up hes just an unlikable person. I’m not surprised he doesn’t have any male friends at all.
Needfuldoer
Yeah, sometimes around here we forget that Linda and Charles ruined two kids.
BBCC
The fact they’re not doing Billie any favours either but they’re still the best parental figures she has hurts me deeply.
Kris
Also something I can’t turn a blind eye to in light of last chapter. Walky was totally complacent in Sal’s treatment. I know he was a child for some of that, but it seems like he didn’t even have her back! That’s horrible, and it seems he was either ignorant or didn’t care and I don’t know which is worse. He caved when Leland threatened him after witnessing that little twerp nearly kill Marcie! Not a good look Walkman…not a good look.
Leorale
College is a great time to learn that you’ve been privileged.
Iirc, Sal confronted Walky about it — although it was hard for him to accept for a couple days, he thought about it, sought more info from Billie, and realized Sal was right. Once he did, he made changes, and was angry on Sal’s behalf, which she appreciated.
Leorale
And Leland was much bigger and fightier than 13-yr-old Walky. (Plus, their parents have been very clear that their love is conditional on being a good kid, and not a hoodlum, so that doesn’t help him stand up to bullies, either.)
Lazy, though, yeah. Definitely can’t argue that.
Kris
I understand the rationale and it’s fine and good that they made up, but that doesn’t really change anything. Walky didn’t have to fight Leland, especially since that kid was dangerous and crippled people with sharp rocks, but he damn sure could’ve spoken out! He was a witness. Sal doesn’t look so bad when she’s not the only one telling the story. That’s all water under the bridge now but it’s a big mark on Walky’s character to me.
BBCC
I think it’s a little harsh to blame a kid for not wanting to speak up against a bully actively threatening them. That’s hard even for adults. That said, there were definitely times Walky made things worse for Sal, like him asking for cookies for being in bed, which drew even more attention to Sal not being. Some people read it as him trying to distract his mom, but at 12-13, he should’ve seen where that would go.
Leorale
Yup, I read the cookies thing as Walky being a little jerk, as siblings generally are. (I have two brothers, and that read very realistically like getting on your sib’s nerves!)
I’m glad they’re finding new ways to relate to each other.
ego
the zeitgeist contains a lot of arguments in the vein of “X is bad for not standing up to genuine evil bastard Y effectively enough” these days. y’know, this argument really depends upon X having a significant amount of agency and security to be valid.
sal was failed very badly by *nobody* having her back when she was in serious difficulty. however, multiple adult-type people around her were specifically invested with authority FOR THE OSTENSIBLE PURPOSE of the care-taking of children. walky was not one of those.
Loz
“He caved when Leland threatened him after witnessing that little twerp nearly kill Marcie!” hmmmm… I’m not sure how you intended that to sound, but it sure sounds like “he avoided confronting a guy who he knew was really dangerous”
I mean, I like Walky for a bunch of reasons including that he’s like a hyperbolic version of my best friend, but I understand that he’s disgusting and annoying and lacks a spine. But also, fighting Leland was Sal’s mistake, and I think Walky probably saw it that way too, like “why do you keep picking fights with this brute, Sal, just give him what he wants and then ignore him the rest of the time like I do”.
Kris
*sighs* Look I said I didn’t want to rant about this but I hope you realize that’s not a good thing. Bullies like Leland thrive in environments where no one stops them. He was that dangerous because he could get away with it. No fighting wasn’t the right call. I’m not asking for that. The whole message of last chapter was that violence only escalates. The real question was why was Sal forced to confront Leland in the first place. Because no one had her back. Her parents didn’t believe her (or more accurately they might of believed Sal but chose to shift blame to Marcie based on Linda’s opinion of her) and her own brother was too cowardly to back up her story.
Also just a side note: How the FUCK did that teacher not see Walky getting blatantly threatened right in front of her!?
Tattling is not hard and if somehow Walky faced some blowback for that from Leland then it probably would’ve gotten Leland in actual trouble since Walky is more favored than Sal. But Sal was the only one as implied here.
Disembodied principal voice says “Daughter” not “children”. Walky said nothing. Just ignoring him like the rest of us do is how Marcie got pushed down a pit into rocks and exposed bar in the first place.
(Also frankly…Billie might deserve a little disdain for that too. She was a witness as well. They all only get a pass because they’re kids.)
But that’s just a small part of the Walky annoyance package. Okay I’m done. Not gonna rant about this anymore. These are just my opinions. No offense toward you Loz or anyone that likes Walky.
thejeff
OTOH as you say “How the FUCK did that teacher not see Walky getting blatantly threatened right in front of her!?”
It’s not really a side note. When the authority figure ignores the blatant threats, it just reinforces that “tattling” won’t help and will just get you in trouble without any consequences to the bully.
Tattling is actually hard. Even without the actual threat from the bully, social pressure against it is huge at that age.
Kris
Using my own evidence against me huh?…..*squints angrily*…Well played I guess. I’ve got nothing for that. I’d go on but like I said I’m done ranting. Still don’t like Walky but maybe he had good reasons to stay complacent even if I don’t agree with them.
thejeff
I don’t know whether I’d say “good” or not, but understandable, especially for an elementary school kid.
BBCC
I don’t think the takeaway from the last arc is supposed to be violence is bad. I don’t think we’re supposed to think it was wrong for Sal and AG to be beating the shit out of those guys who were trying to harass rape victims. I DO think we’re heading towards fighting smart though – finding ways to stop people like them without splash back on other people or escalating things (at least too much).
TemperaryObsessor
Walkie was not obligated to almost certainly getg beaten up to help Sal, especially when the teacher ignored blatent threats right in front of her. This does not mean Sal’s decision was wrong.
The school basically chose Leeland’s side.
Rereading the discussion with Sal’s parents. I think the school was saying even if Leeland was in the wrong and Sal was in the right we don’t care. Were going to pretend any harm that comes to Marcie didn’t happen because if she goes to anybody about it we believe she will get in more trouble than us, and if you bring this up with anyone else well what do you think will happen to her little friend. But Leeland’s parent has pull.
220 thoughts on “Relentlessly”
butts
rip tumblr
Opus the Poet
Speaking of Butts, whose is that in your avatar?
newllend(henryvolt)
It’s Billie Booty if I recall.
Needfuldoer
Yup. Billie flopping down next to Ruth after escaping Lucy’s perpetual morning-person sunshine.
Ryan
Nine days ago: http://www.dumbingofage.com/2018/comic/book-9-comic/02-but-the-sun-still-shines/bagel/
OBBWG
Further speaking of (B/b)utts, nice Walky posterior in panel 4.
butts
i thought about taking it, but i’m kinda really holding out for ethan
jacob would also be acceptable
Br44n5m
Don’t worry I got it handled
Loz
Thanks for reminding me
Ana Chronistic
look, she jumped off the bed, no need for additional trajectory
MessyPaint
Joyce is annoying
Sporky
Annoyce
butts
noice
Ivy
I cannot for the life of me imagine what Joyce would look like as a real person. She just looks like Spongebob to me.
What is that hair color? Who has it?
BBCC
It’s blonde-brown hair. It’s not that uncommon.
Ivy
I have blonde-brown hair. I don’t recall ever seeing Joyce’s hair color on a human.
BBCC
I’ve seen it a lot. It’s just hard to classify because it’s right on the line between blonde and brown.
Ninjamaid
My family calls it mousy. My brother and father went though this shade as they were growing up, born blond, became mousy, now a solid medium brown.
djaevlenselv
It’s maybe one of the most common hair colours in northern Europe. So much that in my country it’s regarded as the single most boring hair colour in existence. We call it “municipality-coloured hair”.
Also, I have literally just found out that American popular media call it “bronde” and it was apparently the ‘it-colour’ 3-6 years ago (maybe still)?
Zee
I’ve met real life joyce. She was my best friend in 8th grade.
Very pretty, big smile, super religious. She would beat me with a ruler if I ever cursed around her and got mad at me for a whole day once because I said gay people are just born that way, then again because I said we don’t know what happened, in terms of creationism vs evolution (which, I was being charitable for her sake. Obviously we know evolution happened). I was only friends with her because we were friends years ago in ballet class and would run into each other periodically afterwards, I had no idea she was so brain washed. I worry about her a lot actually, she should be in some American Christian college by now, and I’m worried the same thing that happened to Joyce will happen to her.
She had a couple crushes and had to fend off boys a lot, but I don’t remember any warped ideas of love, just that she was really sexually repressed. I wouldn’t be surprised if she had iffy ideas of consent and women’s roles in marriage though.
Betty Anne
TSwift has it.
Yumi
Taylor Swift’s hair is generally blonder than how I’d envision Joyce’s hair, but I could see it being meant to be that color. It’s weird to me when Joyce is referred to as “blonde,” as I see her hair as brown, and that’s how I’d see the real-life equivalent too. I think “mousy” is a good description, but that always pairs with “brown” for me– “mousy brown hair.”
SonicBlueRanger
Well that’s just like your opinion.
Doctor_Who
“badger the other rele-” this isn’t going to lead to Joyce having any revelations about her feelings toward Billie or Sal, is it?
AutobotDen
Damn, Joyce is stronger than she looks.
Kris
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Joyce is physically the strongest girl in this comic. Stronger than Sal, stronger than Amber. In the running for strongest period.
Michael
I’m intrigued. Why do you think this?
Kris
It’s kind of just a joke on my part. Joyce is in a rather unique situation where she sort of boasts the most amazing feats of strength in this comic. Sal and Amber are better fighters hands down but Joyce has a few standout moments.
Look at this shit!
http://www.dumbingofage.com/2015/comic/book-6/01-to-those-whod-ground-me/strength-2/
I haven’t seen an official size chart but Ross looks like a huge fucking guy who obviously works out by the size of his arms and chest. Joyce knocked him flying in one punch. Sure adrenaline helps, but don’t try to pass some strength of god shit on me. That’s real power! Amber’s probably closest to her because she pounded the tar out of Blaine and I think Ross and Blaine might be comparable in size. I think Ross is bigger though.
Then there’s this.
http://www.dumbingofage.com/2016/comic/book-6/03-when-god-closes-the-door/frame/
People will say. “Oh that’s not hard.” I challenge you to go kick in a window frame and all and tell me how hard it’s not.
That’s about it really. Not much but more than most people who have only really done stuff like lift chairs. I think Ruth flipped Blaine once? Sal and Amber are great fighters but did send a huge guy flying with one punch? No. They were having trouble with Ryan and his legion of average sized dude bros. This isn’t a hardcore battle manga so stuff like that isn’t really the focus. I’m sure all of this can easily be disputed but until then Joyce kind of stands at the top of that small hill.
BBCC
Becky said Toedad is around Sal’s height. So 5’7ish. He is a big guy, but if you’re good and pissed off and have adrenaline spiking, you can definitely knock him flying. She also describes him as ‘a fleshy shuttlecock’ so I suspect he’s not as much muscle as you’d think at first glance. Ditto for kicking in a window frame – especially since they’re specifically harnessing Joyce’s fury.
Kris
Ross is only 5,7? That seems low balling it to me. I mean I wasn’t thinking he was 6ft or anything but he seemed taller than 5,7. I’m also guessing around 300lbs. That’s a substantial amount. You can argue adrenaline sure but that doesn’t discount what happened. Still one of the most impressive feats in the comic. Mostly because no one else has gotten into many physical confrontations.
The window thing is more unclear. I’m not sure you can summon adrenaline on command and if you can I doubt Joyce has that ability. That power was hers. Becky couldn’t kick that window in and Jocelyn didn’t even try. Both of them definitely weaker than Joyce and so is Walky apparently.
David M Willis
ross is a short little dude, yes
Roborat
Okay, I have to ask, how would one determine which girl has the strongest period?
Foxhack
THE POWER OF JESUS COMPELS HER
No seriously I’ve met a lot of Christian girls that are strangely stronger than they appear.
threePwny
They gotta be when they’re fightin’ SATAN HIMSELF
Betty Anne
When you believe you can do anything, you generally can do anything.*
*Within the range of limitations of a human body
**Which does not include walking on water. Attempts to walk on water end in sadness and hilarious Vines/YouTube fail videos. ^^;
Roborat
I live in northern Alberta, I can walk on water about six months of the year.
BarerMender
I know. Let’s see you do that on the Sea of Galilee.
brionl
Boombox: It’s like a MP3 player, only huge and ugly.
Stephen Bierce
Boombox: It’s like a Bluetooth speaker, only with a radio and a tape cassette deck included–and no Bluetooth.
Tacos
But then people will ask what the heck is a tape cassette deck.
Needfuldoer
That thing old cars have, with the cable coming out of a big slot that you have to plug into your phone because Bluetooth wasn’t invented yet.
RacingTurtle
Looks like it has big bug eyes, eats your tapes, electrocutes you, can’t be trusted.
Clif
I had several of those.
Marsh Maryrose
I have a really good musical memory, and I can “hear” a piece of music in my head without any actual playback. I used to refer to this as my “internal Walkman.” Some years later, I called it my “internal iPod.” But now, I don’t have a meaningful reference. Because…
The idea of a separate handheld device just for playing music is pretty much gone. Radio is still important, and vinyl makes periodic resurgences, but mostly I listen to music on my computer when I’m at home, or on my phone when I’m not. And both of those devices are used for a lot of other things besides music.
I’m trying to remember what happened to my last boombox. I remember that I kept it because it was the only way for me to play cassette tapes, and then the cassette player stopped working and it was no longer of any use to me (computers had already taken over the CD playing role.)
not someone else
Internal Spotify/app of choice? (I know that’s not the point.)
AnvilPro
To be fair, this is pretty cute
BBCC
Oh jesus christ someone please give this girl a DRASTIC intervention on relationship health.
Kris
Rom coms aren’t great examples of how romance and relationships work in real life…..Also I hate Walky. Never not a good time to say that.
Antonio
So… I know that Walky was pretty immature earlier in the semester (Dorothy was insane to go out with a guy who expressed his feelings by throwing a toy at her head), but he’s had some development since then. He still has major character flaws (such as the way he handles his calc class) but he’s also showing development.
What do you hate about him?
Doctor_Who
Even the calc thing is getting a little bit better. This story is kicked off by Walky not immediately taking an excuse to skip out on math, and trying to find out if it’s legit.
Kris
I mean I’ve said this multiple times before and I don’t want to rant. Short version is he’s immature, cartoonishly so. His problems get solved for him. He has it too easy if that makes sense. And he’s just annoying in general. He’s not someone I’d like in real life.
Nono
His problems also feel… small scale compared to most of the cast? I know, that’s not quite fair to Walky. But when people are freaking out about PTSD, accepting their sexuality, racial abuse, grounds for firing… Walky being unable to cope with bad grades and poor study habits just seem immature.
BBCC
On the other hand, Walky’s problem is also very common and it’s nice seeing more run of the mill less serious issues. Maybe Walky’s not your style, but it’s also nice with other characters.
threePwny
It makes him one of the most relatable to me because, hey, I dropped out of college after two years because depression crushed my academic ability so hard that I literally couldn’t do schoolwork. Maybe Walky’s not dealing with clinical depression, but that’s still some real shit to deal with.
Zee
I really don’t think its fair to draw that sort of comparison. It’s that kind of academic struggle that almost drove me to suicide in high school (I’m all good now). I get what you’re saying but its still a bigger problem than what he’s faced before and thus it will impact him negatively
BarerMender
Plus, he doesn’t bathe regularly nor wash his underwear. He’s too lazy to tie his shoes, forchrisesake.
chris73
Yeah this, because of the way he was brought up hes just an unlikable person. I’m not surprised he doesn’t have any male friends at all.
Needfuldoer
Yeah, sometimes around here we forget that Linda and Charles ruined two kids.
BBCC
The fact they’re not doing Billie any favours either but they’re still the best parental figures she has hurts me deeply.
Kris
Also something I can’t turn a blind eye to in light of last chapter. Walky was totally complacent in Sal’s treatment. I know he was a child for some of that, but it seems like he didn’t even have her back! That’s horrible, and it seems he was either ignorant or didn’t care and I don’t know which is worse. He caved when Leland threatened him after witnessing that little twerp nearly kill Marcie! Not a good look Walkman…not a good look.
Leorale
College is a great time to learn that you’ve been privileged.
Iirc, Sal confronted Walky about it — although it was hard for him to accept for a couple days, he thought about it, sought more info from Billie, and realized Sal was right. Once he did, he made changes, and was angry on Sal’s behalf, which she appreciated.
Leorale
And Leland was much bigger and fightier than 13-yr-old Walky. (Plus, their parents have been very clear that their love is conditional on being a good kid, and not a hoodlum, so that doesn’t help him stand up to bullies, either.)
Lazy, though, yeah. Definitely can’t argue that.
Kris
I understand the rationale and it’s fine and good that they made up, but that doesn’t really change anything. Walky didn’t have to fight Leland, especially since that kid was dangerous and crippled people with sharp rocks, but he damn sure could’ve spoken out! He was a witness. Sal doesn’t look so bad when she’s not the only one telling the story. That’s all water under the bridge now but it’s a big mark on Walky’s character to me.
BBCC
I think it’s a little harsh to blame a kid for not wanting to speak up against a bully actively threatening them. That’s hard even for adults. That said, there were definitely times Walky made things worse for Sal, like him asking for cookies for being in bed, which drew even more attention to Sal not being. Some people read it as him trying to distract his mom, but at 12-13, he should’ve seen where that would go.
Leorale
Yup, I read the cookies thing as Walky being a little jerk, as siblings generally are. (I have two brothers, and that read very realistically like getting on your sib’s nerves!)
I’m glad they’re finding new ways to relate to each other.
ego
the zeitgeist contains a lot of arguments in the vein of “X is bad for not standing up to genuine evil bastard Y effectively enough” these days. y’know, this argument really depends upon X having a significant amount of agency and security to be valid.
sal was failed very badly by *nobody* having her back when she was in serious difficulty. however, multiple adult-type people around her were specifically invested with authority FOR THE OSTENSIBLE PURPOSE of the care-taking of children. walky was not one of those.
Loz
“He caved when Leland threatened him after witnessing that little twerp nearly kill Marcie!” hmmmm… I’m not sure how you intended that to sound, but it sure sounds like “he avoided confronting a guy who he knew was really dangerous”
I mean, I like Walky for a bunch of reasons including that he’s like a hyperbolic version of my best friend, but I understand that he’s disgusting and annoying and lacks a spine. But also, fighting Leland was Sal’s mistake, and I think Walky probably saw it that way too, like “why do you keep picking fights with this brute, Sal, just give him what he wants and then ignore him the rest of the time like I do”.
Kris
*sighs* Look I said I didn’t want to rant about this but I hope you realize that’s not a good thing. Bullies like Leland thrive in environments where no one stops them. He was that dangerous because he could get away with it. No fighting wasn’t the right call. I’m not asking for that. The whole message of last chapter was that violence only escalates. The real question was why was Sal forced to confront Leland in the first place. Because no one had her back. Her parents didn’t believe her (or more accurately they might of believed Sal but chose to shift blame to Marcie based on Linda’s opinion of her) and her own brother was too cowardly to back up her story.
http://www.dumbingofage.com/2016/comic/book-7/01-glower-vacuum/landed/
Also just a side note: How the FUCK did that teacher not see Walky getting blatantly threatened right in front of her!?
Tattling is not hard and if somehow Walky faced some blowback for that from Leland then it probably would’ve gotten Leland in actual trouble since Walky is more favored than Sal. But Sal was the only one as implied here.
http://www.dumbingofage.com/2016/comic/book-7/01-glower-vacuum/liability/
Disembodied principal voice says “Daughter” not “children”. Walky said nothing. Just ignoring him like the rest of us do is how Marcie got pushed down a pit into rocks and exposed bar in the first place.
(Also frankly…Billie might deserve a little disdain for that too. She was a witness as well. They all only get a pass because they’re kids.)
But that’s just a small part of the Walky annoyance package. Okay I’m done. Not gonna rant about this anymore. These are just my opinions. No offense toward you Loz or anyone that likes Walky.
thejeff
OTOH as you say “How the FUCK did that teacher not see Walky getting blatantly threatened right in front of her!?”
It’s not really a side note. When the authority figure ignores the blatant threats, it just reinforces that “tattling” won’t help and will just get you in trouble without any consequences to the bully.
Tattling is actually hard. Even without the actual threat from the bully, social pressure against it is huge at that age.
Kris
Using my own evidence against me huh?…..*squints angrily*…Well played I guess. I’ve got nothing for that. I’d go on but like I said I’m done ranting. Still don’t like Walky but maybe he had good reasons to stay complacent even if I don’t agree with them.
thejeff
I don’t know whether I’d say “good” or not, but understandable, especially for an elementary school kid.
BBCC
I don’t think the takeaway from the last arc is supposed to be violence is bad. I don’t think we’re supposed to think it was wrong for Sal and AG to be beating the shit out of those guys who were trying to harass rape victims. I DO think we’re heading towards fighting smart though – finding ways to stop people like them without splash back on other people or escalating things (at least too much).
TemperaryObsessor
Walkie was not obligated to almost certainly getg beaten up to help Sal, especially when the teacher ignored blatent threats right in front of her. This does not mean Sal’s decision was wrong.
The school basically chose Leeland’s side.
Rereading the discussion with Sal’s parents. I think the school was saying even if Leeland was in the wrong and Sal was in the right we don’t care. Were going to pretend any harm that comes to Marcie didn’t happen because if she goes to anybody about it we believe she will get in more trouble than us, and if you bring this up with anyone else well what do you think will happen to her little friend. But Leeland’s parent has pull.