What's as sad as the horrible news of 14-year-old Jamey Rodemeyer's apparent suicide is word that the bullied teen cried for help off and online months ahead of his death. Details follow.
"I always say how bullied I am, but no one listens. What do I have to do so people will listen to me?" Jamey Rodemeyer wrote these words on Sept. 9. On Sunday, Sept. 18, he was found dead outside his family's Buffalo, New York home.
Many who visited the teen's YouTube page were aware of the bullying he endured; some visitors even became bullies themselves.
Despite his consistent cries for help across a web of social media networks such as Facebook, Tumblr and YouTube, deplorable humans enabled his suicidal thoughts. A few recent comments left on Jamey's various sites prior to his death include:
"JAMIE IS STUPID, GAY, FAT ANND UGLY. HE MUST DIE!"
"I wouldn't care if you died. No one would. So just do it :) It would make everyone WAY more happier!"
And it's not as is Jamey was unaware of the invaluable "It Gets Better" project, launched to help bullied teens survive what might be the hardest years for LGBT youth; in fact, Jamey even submitted his own video.
Though Jamey's mom says the teen was seeing a counselor and therapist to deal with the anti-gay attacks, the harassment continued, ultimately resulting in his apparent suicide. But still the bullying and depression persisted.
What else can we do as a community to save our young?
Are you kidding me?! Why would people write that to a boy who is obviously crying out for help?? I wonder how these people really feel now... I feel like they need to be in trouble with the law somehow because they have a part in the boy ending his life. I'm absolutely stunned right now.
+7
... written by Fievel,
September 20, 2011
It's disappointing to hear that the mothers only effort to help her son was to send him to therapy and counseling. The bullies are the ones in need of therapy. What Jamey needed was for someone to assist him in getting the bullies to stop, not to just listen to the stories of what happened and how he should think about it.
+3
... written by roman holiday,
September 20, 2011
Human nature does not change---that's why laws are enacted. It is up to our elected officials (Heaven help us!) to create legislation that makes people accountable for their actions. Sounds like hate speech to me.
+7
... written by Summer,
September 20, 2011
What's sad is that anyone who watches his "It Gets Better" video can tell that even HE doesn't believe it. I pray for the day that I can see someone doing this crap to a child...Oh I pray for that day! As wrong as it may be, you'll find ME as the bully then.
+1
... written by Paul D,
September 20, 2011
This breaks my heart into a million pieces. I wish the people around him would have been more aware and prudent in trying to end the bullying. People online are fucking cowards, this is a true testament to the power of words and how they can damage. My heart goes out to the family and friends that loved him and it definitely goes out to Jayme. Killing himself defiantly wasn't the best answer, I wish he would have been around long enough to see that life really can get better, but I hope wherever he is he is resting in piece away from all the hate he left behind.
+3
... written by Dancer.,
September 20, 2011
Words fail me, where were his parents? I hope whoever wrote the hate mail are taken to task over this, If they have the messages they have there URLs Im so sick of all the nastiness and hatred in this world people dont seem happy unless they are ruining a persons life or creating sadness, this is a sick world, poor sweet boy only just starting out with his whole life ahead of him...
+0
... written by Stefan Kraus,
September 20, 2011
The nastiness and bullying stems from what's being seen on tv. It seems that tv has gotten to be a parade of stupid, obnoxious people trying to destroy other people. We let kids watch this crap. I also have to blame the parents of the bullies. You have to know that your kid is an ass wipe.I guess they prefer their kid to be a bully as opposed to having a bullied kid. Someone needs to be accountable.
+0
... written by rkgd,
September 20, 2011
Let's round up a posse and go bully-bashing. I wanna fuck up some bigots.
+5
... written by RCinPS,
September 20, 2011
Ben Cohen recently said, "“Every person on this planet has a right to be true to themselves, to love and be loved, and to be happy. I encourage others to stand up with me and make a difference. Stand up for equality, stand up against bullying.” I wish . . . oh, nevermind.
Hope they find the bullies and make them pay for their actions, preferably arrested and charged with criminal harassment.
+1
... written by M&M,
September 23, 2011
You have no idea the effect your words can have on people, every word can leave another scar.
+0
... written by Michellesmith009,
September 24, 2011
It is safe to say that the vast majority of people today have been bullied at some time in their lives. Many people consider it to be a normal part of childhood. However, very extreme cases of bullying, some even resulting to suicides. People are becoming aware of cyber bullying, which makes it easier than ever for bullies to harass their victims. Having kids myself I find myself worrying about their safety from time to time. However, I stumbled upon this blog the other day which tells how a mother overcame a tragedy and found an amazing way to keep her kids safe. Check it out http://www.tsue-thatswhatshesa...-mind.html
+0
... written by AJVan1,
September 25, 2011
Why the heck didn't his mother remove him from the environment? The best she could do was therapy? Are you kidding me?
+0
... written by Erv,
September 26, 2011
To this kid family,
Im sorry for you lost on your son. The anti-bullying against gay youth should stop cause of the deaths it has occurred.. Gay people are the same as regular straights. Just because they like the other sex should change them cause they are acting themselves.. So the bullies who bully gays, u guys are dumb as fuck cause literally you guys are killing them with your words..
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