Bullied To Death: The List

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Bullying is an epidemic that kills.  Thousands of children every year fall victim to this terrible practice.

stop bullying the list madmikesamerica

United States Congresswoman Michele Bachmann on bullying:

“I think for all us our experience in public schools is there have always been bullies, always have been, always will be. I just don’t know how we’re ever going to get to point of zero tolerance and what does it mean? […]

One question would be, ‘what would be our definition of bullying?’ Will it get to the point where we are completely stifling free speech and expression? Will it mean that, what form of behavior will there be, will we be expecting boys to be girls? What is it exactly that we’re asking for?

I don’t say that as a sexist comment, but there are just differences with boys and with girls when they’re on the playground, when they’re in the classroom.
None of us like inappropriate behavior. None of us like sassy children. But there’s just a fact of life that as we grow up, we’re kind of little barbarians when we’re two and our process as mothers and fathers is to civilize our children. I just don’t know how we can realistically expect a zero tolerance of bullying behavior.”

Statement from Matt Barber, director of Cultural Affairs for Liberty Counsel in 2009 opposing hate crime laws:

“Everyone is receiving equal protection under the law, regardless of race, religion, gender, homosexuality, favorite color or ‘American Idol’ pick,” Barber said.

Samantha Johnson, age 13. The Anoka, MN middle school student shot herself in the head in 2009.

Justin Aaberg, age 15. After finishing his freshman year at Anoka High School, he hung himself in July of 2010.

Lance Lundsten, age 18. Overdosed, and later died in the hospital in March of 2011.

T.J. Hayes, age 16. The Blaine, MN high school student, took his own life in 2009

Jordan Yenor, age 14. The Northdale Middle School student, took his own life in 2011.

Asher Brown, age 14. The teen from Houston, Texas, shot himself in the head in 2010.

Damilola Taylor, age 10. Stabbed to death with broken bottle pieces in Nigeria, killers each received 8 years, both were 12 years old. Murder was recorded by surveillance camera.

Myles Neuts, age 10. In 1998, two bullies hung Myles from a coat hanger and watched him until another student finally reported them. Myles died six days later. The murder occurred in Canada, the two people responsible for Myles’s death have never been charged.

Brandon Swartwood, age 18. Brandon developed PTSD due to the bullying and harassment he suffered, and in December, 2000, he shot himself in the head.

Jared High, age 12. After months of systematic bullying, physical assaults and harassment, Jared took his own life in September of 1998.

Jamey Rodemeyer, age 14. After making a video for the “It Gets Better” campaign, Jamey took his own life in September of 2011.

Jamie Hubley, age 15. The Ottawa teen took his own life last Friday.

Bullycide. The term was first used by Neil Marr and Tim Field in their book “Bullycide: Death At Playtime”, and refers to suicide linked to bullying. These young people, and hundreds of others all over the country, and the world, were victims of bullycide.

I was going to end this article by delving more deeply into why bullying isn’t a hate crime according to the law, but I think the two statements posted at the beginning tell that better than I ever could. I was going to make grand political statements, condemning people like Barber and Bachmann, but again, their own statements shame them far more than anything I could write. What I am going to do is list some resources parents and kids can use to learn more about bullying, learn how to deal with bullying and get help and advice if they are being bullied. And I am going to ask one thing: if you are reading this, and you want to get involved, go to your local politicians and ask if your city, town and/or state has anti-bullying legislation on the books. If they tell you no, start a petition, call your senator or representatives, get other parents on board.

Children are dying, and no one seems to understand that WE have the power to change that, to make things better, and to punish those who commit bullycide.

Resources:
The Trevor Project:             888.488.7386       (24-hours)
www.pacer.org
www.StopBullying.gov

Resources used for this series:

Mother Jones, The Guardian, murderedangels.webs.com, USA Today, bullycide.org, CBSnews.com, The Daily Mail.co.uk, think progress.org.

Please read my 3 part series on bullying at Jamey’s Law.org, and please sign the petition to change the laws regarding bullycide.

About Post Author

Erin Nanasi

Erin Nanasi is an avid underwater basket weaver, with a penchant for satire and the odd wombat reference.
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bryn
10 years ago

well your information is wrong jordan yenor was a student at northdale middle school

Reply to  bryn
10 years ago

Thanks. We fixed it.

Thomas Lake Van Dusen
11 years ago

I saw Mr. Mike Neuts, speaking about his son, Myles Neuts, who was bullied. Myles could not take it any longer, so he took his own life. That is very sad. Mr. Mike Neuts is speaking out now against bullying.
That is very sad that a child is teased and bullied to the point that they cannot take it any longer and they end up taking their own life.
I hope that legislation comes forward and does something to stop bullying.

Thank-you.

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