Summary
Highlights
Ladis and María José discuss the bullying, which started in 2024. María José was harassed by a group of older students from her previous school who would go to her house, throw objects, and shout racist insults like 'n*gger, go back to your country.' The school initially dismissed these incidents as happening outside their premises, claiming they couldn't intervene.
The bullying intensified with physical attacks. María José recounts an incident where a boy hit her on the head with a ruler in class, and the teachers scolded her for reacting rather than punishing the aggressor. Later, she was elbowed by the same boy in class, and despite complaining to her tutor, the teacher again blamed María José for her reaction, refusing to acknowledge the boy's aggression or change her class.
The bullying continued during physical education classes, where María José was deliberately hit with a ball multiple times by the main aggressor and his friends. When she reported this to the teacher, he simply shrugged his shoulders, indicating his inability or unwillingness to act. Ladis reveals that the school only contacted her because they perceived María José as having 'anger issues,' not as a victim of bullying.
Ladis explains that the school claims to be following a protocol but has not provided a real solution. They offered María José a 'calming room' and psychological support, while the aggressors faced minimal consequences. Ladis shares an official note from the school stating that teachers would observe and increase vigilance, but no concrete action was taken against the bullies. She emphasizes the need for proper intervention from educational authorities and police, lamenting the emotional toll on María José, who is tired of recounting her experiences.
María José expresses her desire to return to Colombia, feeling that she does not belong in Spain due to the constant racism and xenophobia. Ladis and the interviewer discuss the profound impact of these experiences on a child's self-esteem and identity. The interviewer advises Ladis to equip María José with tools for self-defense, such as martial arts, to build confidence and deter bullies. They also highlight the tendency of schools to downplay bullying incidents to protect their reputation.
Ladis plans to take María José to a pediatrician and then to the Public Prosecutor's Office for Minors, determined not to let the situation go unaddressed. She advises other parents not to dismiss their children's complaints of bullying. The discussion concludes with a plea for understanding of immigrants' intentions to live peacefully and pursue opportunities, emphasizing that they do not seek to cause trouble. The interviewer encourages María José to stay strong, recognizing that these challenges are part of life, and that she needs to confront them rather than fleeing.