Beautiful, moving and terribly heartbreaking. As a parent, I can't even begin to imagine the pain of losing a child to suicide because the world made it unbearable for them to continue living. We must put a stop to bullying in schools. We must make our schools safe for all these kids, so not one of them gives up hope. Thank you for sharing this. I've shared it on Facebook. This message should travel far and wide; it's very important. Those poor kids...and their parents...
"A special “unofficial” holiday has been set up by members of Facebook to honor 6 boys and many others who have taken their lives due to homophobic abuse. The Holiday is being called “Spirit Day” and it will take place all day on October 20, 2010.
Just recently there have been 6 homosexual males who have committed suicide because they were being abused in many ways by homophobic individuals at schools, and even in their own homes. “Spirit Day” will honor them and the thousands of others that could not live with the pain and torment over the years.
A Facebook Event Page has been set up for those that will be participating in Spirit Day by wearing Purple." http://thenewsoftoday.com/october-20th-spirit-day-wear-purple-to-honor-tyler-clementi-asher-brown/3365/
It's not personal for me either, exactly -- I've been suicidal, in the fairly distant past, but it wasn't from bullying. Or, well, I suppose the first time you could say it was sort of technically bullying, but it wasn't from a peer, and it wasn't direct. As Anonymous notes, I think this is something that teens in general need to hear from time to time. I think the teenaged tendency is to believe that things will go on the same way forever and ever, and that everything that you're dissatisfied with about the world is permanent. (Or at least, your more depressed teens might feel that way.) Now that I'm in my 30s, I don't worry that things are going to be like this forever: what I lose sleep over now is the likelihood that they won't.
I'm a little late with my comment as I'm just catching up with your blog, but I wanted to thank you for posting this heart-wrenching video.
We often don't realize the pain someone is enduring until it's too late. Reach out to someone today and tell them they're loved. You might save a life.
Beautiful, moving and terribly heartbreaking. As a parent, I can't even begin to imagine the pain of losing a child to suicide because the world made it unbearable for them to continue living. We must put a stop to bullying in schools. We must make our schools safe for all these kids, so not one of them gives up hope. Thank you for sharing this. I've shared it on Facebook. This message should travel far and wide; it's very important. Those poor kids...and their parents...
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't usually happen that a gardening blog can make me cry. I'm very proud of that brave man. Thank you for posting this.
ReplyDeleteI don't even know what to say, but thank you for posting this, it renewed my faith in humanity.
ReplyDelete"A special “unofficial” holiday has been set up by members of Facebook to honor 6 boys and many others who have taken their lives due to homophobic abuse. The Holiday is being called “Spirit Day” and it will take place all day on October 20, 2010.
ReplyDeleteJust recently there have been 6 homosexual males who have committed suicide because they were being abused in many ways by homophobic individuals at schools, and even in their own homes. “Spirit Day” will honor them and the thousands of others that could not live with the pain and torment over the years.
A Facebook Event Page has been set up for those that will be participating in Spirit Day by wearing Purple."
http://thenewsoftoday.com/october-20th-spirit-day-wear-purple-to-honor-tyler-clementi-asher-brown/3365/
Please wear purple on the 20th.
What an amazing speech!
ReplyDeleteI'll second what Diana said. *wipes eyes*
ReplyDeleteI usually don't watch videos, because my listening comprehension isn't nearly as good as my reading one, but I'm glad I did this time.
It's not a personal topic for me, but one of those kids looking a lot like one of my one-time classmates made it seem a lot more real to me.
this speech moved me to tears. I think a lot teenagers need to hear it regardless of their sexual preference
ReplyDeleteIvynettle / Anonymous:
ReplyDeleteIt's not personal for me either, exactly -- I've been suicidal, in the fairly distant past, but it wasn't from bullying. Or, well, I suppose the first time you could say it was sort of technically bullying, but it wasn't from a peer, and it wasn't direct. As Anonymous notes, I think this is something that teens in general need to hear from time to time. I think the teenaged tendency is to believe that things will go on the same way forever and ever, and that everything that you're dissatisfied with about the world is permanent. (Or at least, your more depressed teens might feel that way.) Now that I'm in my 30s, I don't worry that things are going to be like this forever: what I lose sleep over now is the likelihood that they won't.
What a wonderful thing this man has done, and you too, for sharing it. It brings up a lot of feelings and memories. More teens deserve this speech.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little late with my comment as I'm just catching up with your blog, but I wanted to thank you for posting this heart-wrenching video.
ReplyDeleteWe often don't realize the pain someone is enduring until it's too late. Reach out to someone today and tell them they're loved. You might save a life.