The Bully Effect

New Blog of the New Year, I was going to post my “Things to do for 2012” but at the moment I felt that this topic was more relevant while I still had it fresh on my mind. Many of us know what bullying is and the harmful affects it has on some people but for some of you that are still in the dark, bullying is an epidemic. It is a real big epidemic for kids in high school and some in college. You may think that “oh everyone is bullied”, yes this is true but how do you bully someone to the point of them committing suicide? Also, how do you have no remorse after everything is done? It is our job to speak up and talk to someone that can help us overcome bullying. You can’t hold how you feel inside you must address it. Everyone is bullied but it is what you do after that defines who you are. Remember this quote "When something bad happens you have three choices. You can either let it define you, let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you." Always try to build off of it and never let it phase you.

On April 6, 2009 Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover hung himself with an extension cord, from his Springfield, Massachusetts home, taking his own life. This 11-year-old sixth grader died a couple days before his 12th birthday (April 17th). He was constantly teased verbally, about being gay. His mother pleaded with the school to address the issue, but it seems that Carl couldn’t take it any longer and ended his own life.

For more information about Carl check out this website http://www.carljoseph11.org/index.html

On September 18, 2011, at the age of 14, Jamey Rodemeyer hung himself because he was bullied so much for being gay. He was cyberbullied and verbally bullied. Jamey was bullied since he was in the 5th grade for being openly gay. He made videos on youtube for the “It Gets Better” project, which is a website dedicated to preventing teen suicide.

Help kids to overcome bullying, make them speak up about it. No one should be hurt to the point where they are trying to end there lives. This means we haven't don't enough to help them handle the situation. Please be aware that bullying is becoming a big problem and talk to friends about it. You can prevent it just by stepping in and telling someone to STOP. 


Also when you have a chance check out this special by Anderson Cooper called Bullying It Stops Here. Great special if you want to enlighten yourself more about this situation.