Over the last several days some of us have been made aware of very sad and unnecissary situations in the lives of a few families. I say some of us because there are those who would rather turn the other cheek and not acknowledge what is happening in our society today. To that end I will try and shed some light on a horrible occurance that seems to be more and more common and all too familiar.
Let me bring two names to the front right now. Asher Brown and Seth Walsh. These young boys took their own lives because of bullying and the lack of tolerance they were surrounded by. In a place where they should have been protected they were subjected to taunting, abuse, and insults all because of who they were. These young spirits, creatures of God, and children to parents that loved them were made to find such pain and shame in the people they were that they saw no way out other than to take their own lives...all because of bullying in school.
This is a testament to where we are as a society. Where we are as a people. We would all like to think so much more of ourselves because we are a proud species, but take notice and accept your resposibility in this. Directly or indirectly we are all to blame. Everytime we see bad behavior, abuse, and ill will being done to others AND we do not step up...we add one more brick to that wall. The very same wall that will eventually divide us into isolation, one from another.
Many would like to make dismissive statements like, "kids will be kids" or "its part of the growing process." Well, kids are in part a product from where they came, and this notion of the growing process...Seth and Asher will no longer have that opportunity to grow...OR to learn that they are worthy of love and acceptance just as they were. Children, by nature, are innocent creatures. The bias and prejudice they develope doesn't happen in the blink of an eye...it happens with training and exposure to hate and bigotry.
Some have said that homophobia is the sister to racism. Most people want to believe that we have moved beyond such things. Well, take a good hard look in the mirror. Have YOU moved beyond? What will you teach your children, nieces and nephews, or the neighbors kids about tolerance and those who may not be just like us?
When you stand by, watching these things unfold and do nothing, you are a part of the problem and not a part of the solution. One day the roulette wheel will stop and the ball will be on your number. If you have done nothing to protect others...who will be there to protect you?
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/ybenjamin/detail?entry_id=73326
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7220896.html
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I saw one article about the boy who took his own life. It brok my heart. More needs to be done and I'm trying to help in that cause. My daughter has been the victim of that abuse and bullying and I won't stand for it. I'm sure the principal is sick and tired of hearing from me but the schools aren't doing anything about it. It's insane. I am teaching my kids tolerance and love for others. Parents need to do more these days. They need to love their children more. They need to spend more time with them. There needs to be less video game time and more time spent sitting together as a family eating, playing and laughing. I WILL help in this cause. Bullying needs to STOP NOW! Thanks for this post. It needs to be said.
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