I just saw this over at Perez Hilton.
11 year old Jaheem Herrera of Stone Mountain, Georgia, took his own life last week because his fellow classmates at Dunaire Elementary School harassed and bullied Herrera for thinking he was gay.
He was just 11 years old!!!
Jaheem's 10-year-old sister discovered her brother hanging from a fabric belt in his bedroom, no longer alive.
Herrera's stepfather said homophobic bullies at school would taunt and name-call his stepson, a 5th grader, repeatedly calling him "gay and a snitch." The boy was even brave enough to tell teachers and faculty at his school about the harassment, but the bullying continued.
Jaheem's tragic loss comes just weeks after the suicide of a Massachusetts boy, Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, who also suffered bullying because classmates thought he was gay, attracted national attention.
He was 11 as well. His mother found him hanging from an extension cord in the family’s home.
WTF ?!?!?!?!?!?How the hell is this being allowed?
2 young lives tragically lost because they thought that killing themselves would be easier than living with the bullying.
Why were they living with bullying anyway? There are teachers, principals, teachers aides, school counsellors etc why didn't ONE of these august grown ups put the foot down and do something about this. And why, when they were told about the bullying, was their response so pathetic?
These people are responsible for the well being - physically and mentally - of these kids. How did they get it so horribly wrong?
I do not know what to say about this - I am simply dumbfounded.
My heart breaks for these poor kids and their families.
Discuss.
.
1 comment:
I can never understand this, then again maybe I can.
Bullying is a terrible thing, especially so when you can't see an escape from it. I've been fortunate enough in my life to know that there will be a light at the end of the tunnel, unfortunately that means I have to wait for it sometimes, but it is there in the end.
I'd like to think that stories like these won't happen again, that teachers, parents, siblings, friends, classmates, whoever - might pay enough attention and exhibit enough concern to take the time to talk to someone: make them feel loved and appreciated - it often doesn't take much.
I remember moments from my own childhood (I'd have been a bit older than these kids though) where I thought of doing the same thing. It really doesn't help when adults say things like "these are the best years of your life" you find yourself thinking, if these are the best then what comes next?
Luckily I made it though and I look back on the things I've accomplished so far and I'm pretty pleased with myself that I was around to do them, I know there's lots more in store for me too.
If anyone feels like takinga cheap-shot at someone, stop and think about that... What kind of difference might it make to their day?
Alright, I sound like a pious wanker now, but you asked for discussion, so I discussed. I could keep keep going on but I think the important things on my mind have been aired.
Thanks.
Post a Comment