People -- including gay teens -- shouldn't be bullied.
That's the message Batavia High student Kelly Jones wanted to get out today.
After reading about Oct. 20 being a "wear purple" day in remembrance of five gay teens who reportedly committed suicide recently after being bullied, Kelly wanted to get as many students at BHS as possible to wear purple today.
Many did.
"I feel bad for people," Kelly said. "I see it every day. I've bullied and I feel horrible about it. I just think it's a horrible thing and I just don't want people to be bullied anymore."
Kelly found out about the day through a Facebook group, so she sent messages to all of her friends yesterday -- three times -- and asked them to make sure all of their friends at BHS knew about the plan.
Principle Chris Daily said Kelly's initiative and so many students participating is typical of BHS.
"We have an extremely caring and giving bunch of kids at Batavia," Daily said.
"We're lucky here," he added. "We have such a diverse population in this high school -- the haves and the have nots, all sorts, that people are used to people being a little different."
Though students said the school isn't without its bullies, and they want it to stop.
"It's not right for here," said Kelly, who is on the far left in the picture above. "This is a small town and everybody knows everybody."
Cassie Warren said she wore purple today not because she's seen a lot of bullying this year, but she has in the past.
"(I wore purple) because people who are like gay and lesbian, they don't have maybe the right to speak out because everyone teases them," Cassie said. "It's not right, so I wanted to show them that people care."
Rebecca Truesell said it was moving to see so many of her classmates in purple today.
"I kind of related to (the gays who were bullied) because I've been picked on my whole life," Rebecca said. "It means a lot to me (that her classmates are wearing purple). When I saw all of the people, I almost started crying. All of these people care and it didn't seem like they cared, but they really do."
You all make us proud!
You all make us proud!
To any kid reading this who
To any kid reading this who is being bullied right now for ANY reason:
Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem!
I was bullied mercilessly in middle school and then later in high school. I felt like it was NEVER going to end. No light at the end of the tunnel. I have a learning disability which was diagnosed when I was in about 5th grade. I got called "stupid", "retard", etc got pushed and shoved around a bit too. In high school I got called some choice names because I didn't (and still don't) carry myself like some femme cheerleader.
Kids are horribly MEAN NASTY creatures! They WILL get what is coming to them at some point in their lives (bad karma you know).
But for you: IT GETS BETTER!!! After middle school/high school, you CAN and WILL find people who understand you, and who are like you! It is NOT worth taking your own life over these ignoranuses!!
IT GETS BETTER!!!! Just HANG IN THERE....Thankfully middle/high school doesn't last forever!!
and KUDOS to BHS for bringing some awareness to this problem!!
Julie, God bless you for that
Julie, God bless you for that post, I'm not allowed to offer any personal information, but I know what you are saying, and why. Hopefully your words of encouragement overpower the damage bullying does to our young people.
To those who have been bullied, hold your head up high, it has been my expierience, most who bully have such a lousy disposition, it makes them feel better to pick on someone else, the best thing to do is not let them get into your head, shut them out, it will turn them off.
Remember, you are better than them, don't feed their sadistic egos, and never, ever,let the problem go unchecked, tell everyone you know, teachers, parents, friends, even the police if necessary, stop it the minute it starts, and don't think it is your problem, make it everyones problem with your voice. I believe new mandates are in place to help the schools combat this senseless behavior, make sure you take advantage of those resources as well. Please don't let it go, give someone a chance to help, you may be surprised by the outcome.
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Posted by Peter O'Brien on
Posted by Peter O'Brien on October 21, 2010 - 11:39am
To those getting bullied,
Its the way life is. You are different and human nature says you are wrong because of it. Deal with it, find their faults (of which there are many) and point them out. It will make you feel better. Thats how I dealt with it. Also don't be afraid of others. Knees, Eyes, Crotch. Those are your targets when it becomes physical. Once again if you defend yourself, you'll have something to be proud of. You don't have to take it, return it ten fold.
I'll remember that the next time I'm bullied on this site. Thanks for the info.
Way to go, BHS Students!
Way to go, BHS Students! Doesn't matter if your gay or short or fat or not so beautiful, no one should be bullied for anything! I am proud of all of you!
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Peter, words on a web site
Peter, words on a web site can be just as hurtful as said in person, often much more so because of A)the potentially larger audience; b) the potential they will live on forever instead of just disappearing into the mist.
Peter, physical bullying is
Peter, physical bullying is but one form,verbal bullying is probably the most common. You can't go around aiming for certain body parts just because someone said something offensive to you. The schools have zero tolerence for any type of physical altercation, so regardless of who swings first, both, or all parties involved, are subject to the same punishment.
The schools now have trained staff specific to this behavior.