There has been a lot of press lately about 10 young people being singled out, harassed, and bullied to the point of suicide. I find this sad and sickening. How hopeless must one feel to take their own life? Sexuality seems to have been the major factor in these recent tragedies. Is another person's private life really anyone's business? Moreover, who gave one the right to judge another? The answer is simple...we do not have that right. We are each entitled to our opinions but obviously, we all live in glass houses. That is why there is one judge, and one judge alone. We should not use our opinions as weapons to hurt others.
Some folks do not care for that answer. Some folks will use whatever means necessary to force their opinions on others, especially if they believe that they stand with a majority. Just as we learned on the playground, a bully picks on those who they feel are different, those who they believe stand alone.
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a bully is defined as one who will "browbeat [or] intimidate..." another. It is my belief that "bullies" are fueled by fear and are cowards at heart. They manipulate others and instigate situations to satisfy their own selfish needs or desires, to make themselves feel large in a world where they feel small.
We can make a positive change if we start by teaching children to value themselves and others, to embrace the differences of those around them, and a zero tolerance for bullying. Sometimes, all you need to face down a bully is one friend's hand.
It takes great courage to stand up for what you believe, certainly when you are standing in front of a crowd with opinions that may differ from your own. Stand anyway. May it encourage and empower others to stand with you. Everyone is special and every life is valuable. That, my friends, is my opinion. Peace.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
Hi There:
ReplyDeleteLinda pointed me in the direction of your blog, so here I am. I don't have a lot of time for reading, as I'm either writing, researching for writing, speaking, or tending to the property, critters and cooking. But I'm a huge fan of people who find the time and space to write what they want. That's all I write--the stuff I want to write about. I'm not even sure what we are in terms of relations. I'm Linda's cousin, so what does that make us?
No matter, as for your post, I wore purple yesterday, along with many high school students in support of the ten gay teens that have recently committed suicide. I am a big supporter of gay rights. My next novel, among other things, deals with homophobia from a homophobic point of view. It's called Morehead, and it is an important and very funny read. I wrote it, in part, because one day I realized that all my gay friends from the late 70's, early 80's were dead, and I'd never really grieved for them, or honored them. Morehead just poured out of me. From start to finish, including two professional edits and three drafts, it took six months. I've never written like that before. I am anxious for that book to be published, but it won't until the book I'm working on now (My Blood) is published. It's all about marketing, something I loathe but reluctantly understand.
Here's a link to a video my wife and I produced on 10/10/10 and posted a couple days ago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ofl7AtdQmF0
It's all part of the blood donation cause, as well as priming the pump for the eventual book, though I don't mention that in the video. It would not have been appropriate. And while you're on YouTube, you should check out critter videos posted by my wife, Karen Kiser, known on YouTube as boombella. I think there are some your kiddos and you would enjoy. My YouTube name is bignboo, which is the name of my production company, and is based on the baby nicknames for our twin sons. They (not identical) turn 23 on October 30.
My email is jhickey@horizoncable.com and my website is jeffreyhickey.com.
Send me your email, and I'll send you some audio and video goodies for Halloween.
Nice to see you, Shannon, and I love that name.
Jeffrey Hickey
PS I wrote this earlier and tried to post, but wasn't confirmed on Google yet. I think I am now, so I hope this posts...
Great courage is needed for people to take a stand about anything controversial, so those who do are to be commended.
ReplyDeleteIt takes great courage for people to dare to be themselves and face the world with a happy heart in the face of adversity. Writing about it is the easy part.
ReplyDeleteThis time, I'll be brief--thanks for including the number for the Hotline. I've known a few of those folks over the years and their work is heroic.
ReplyDeleteI did not really come to grips with the bully issue (though I thought I had) until one of my sons pointed out to me when I was being the bully. That was the single most humbling moment of my life and changed me forever. He was ten at the time.
There are times when children teach parents, I know! I want my children to stand up for themselves and the people around them.
ReplyDeleteIt breaks my heart to know that 10 young people were in such despair that they believed their only choice was suicide.
Depression needs to be recognized and bullying needs to stop...like yesterday.