The "Zangeif Kid"
Okay, there is this new viral video that's hit YouTube about a young, stocky Australian school kid pile driving a school-yard bully half his size into the cement after being verbally and physically assaulted by said bully. I'm not linking the video here, but just punch "Zangief Kid" into YouTube and you should find either the actual video footage or a remixed version spliced together with Street Fighter sound effects. (The nickname comes from Street Fighter as well, the "victim" in this case being likened to the big Russian character Zangeif whose signature moves involve grapples like the one the kid used to defend himself). WARNING - the video is very violent. No blood, but still... not pretty!
Honestly, I'm a bit torn on this one. Speaking as someone who grew up a victim of schoolyard bullying myself, I totally get where this kid was coming from, and in the heat of the moment it certainly must have taken stones to strike back like that. So yes, good on him for standing up for himself. I'm sure a lot of us similar victims wish we could have found it in us to do the same.
However, from what I understand, this kid is now getting media attention, trumpeting him as a hero and as an inspiration. The YouTube video has already gone viral and is all the buzz in the online community, and a lot of praise is being focused on this kid from some very wide reaching outlets.
Reality check: this kid nearly KILLED that bully!
He slammed him head first into the concrete paved ground. I know it's easy enough to laugh at the bully stumbling to his feet like the whole thing really IS just a video game, but had he hit the ground just a little different, there would have been some SERIOUS damage, and this whole thing would have taken a much darker spin.
This bullied kid was brave, but he was also DAMN lucky. The next "Zangief Kid" may not be as lucky, and that's going to be BAD news when his newly motivated reactionary instincts gets a classmate killed. This "hero" should NOT be sensationalized like he has been.
Honestly, I'm a bit torn on this one. Speaking as someone who grew up a victim of schoolyard bullying myself, I totally get where this kid was coming from, and in the heat of the moment it certainly must have taken stones to strike back like that. So yes, good on him for standing up for himself. I'm sure a lot of us similar victims wish we could have found it in us to do the same.
However, from what I understand, this kid is now getting media attention, trumpeting him as a hero and as an inspiration. The YouTube video has already gone viral and is all the buzz in the online community, and a lot of praise is being focused on this kid from some very wide reaching outlets.
Reality check: this kid nearly KILLED that bully!
He slammed him head first into the concrete paved ground. I know it's easy enough to laugh at the bully stumbling to his feet like the whole thing really IS just a video game, but had he hit the ground just a little different, there would have been some SERIOUS damage, and this whole thing would have taken a much darker spin.
This bullied kid was brave, but he was also DAMN lucky. The next "Zangief Kid" may not be as lucky, and that's going to be BAD news when his newly motivated reactionary instincts gets a classmate killed. This "hero" should NOT be sensationalized like he has been.