And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why bullying is wrong.

[conuly]

Because it kills.

Yes, this boy committed suicide - but he was killed by the people who wouldn't let it drop, who had to bother him day after day. I shouldn't have to say this, it should be obvious, but there's always somebody who thinks I'm wrong, that if the bullied had just fit in, had conformed more, it would be different. Well, that's not true. If the victim fits in, the bullies just switch to somebody new. The only way to stop it is to make sure everybody knows that this is unacceptable.

Comments

[spitefairy.livejournal.com]

Thought about it more and wanted to expand on what I was talking about earlier.

From grade 6-12 I was harassed about being gay, and was beaten up several times because of it. I did consider suicide, and I do think that it's every persons right to decide if they want to live or die.

However, I also think that if this kid had decided to live past high school he could have in turn helped other kids by being an advocate. I take back what I said earlier, I think ultimately it's the school's fault for being so shitty in how they handle these things (or don't, as the case may be). While his death may very well help the school change, it also sends the message to other people that have been bullied that this is a very doable option for them. It kind of says that there is no hope for kids like this, rather than giving them other options. Like working with the school, getting counseling, taking self defense. Those things may never fix the problem, but they'll help people live through it.

Also, the bullies may have very real problems of their own with anti-social problems and personality behaviors. That's not to say it's excuseable, but the whole picture needs to be addressed with these things.

[conuly]

I will definitely agree that it's the school's fault as well.

This boy had taken self-defense classes but refused to use martial arts against people. And working through the school... have you *tried* that recently?

[spitefairy.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I did try that about two years ago. Got a whole lot of frustration. What I also got was anger and the feeling that something needs to be done and people need to keep fighting for school reform on these issues.

Yeah, I saw that, a lot of times people won't use it, but it can help people let their anger out in class.

As for suicide and major depression, I'm well aware of how someone feels. I'm BiPolar over here with numerous suicide attempts. However I also chose to get help, it took me about 18 years, and buckets full of tears but I did it. That's the message that bullied kids need, that they can fight through it, that they can survive. Suicide is always an option, but I still say it's not a good one and that it's one you decide. He may not be rational, he may not have picked that when he wasn't feeling depressed, but ultimately he did it. He isn't stupid or bad for doing it, but it's most likely against his best interests (in the long run).