It's been a long time since I've posted on this blog. I don't even care to do the math on exactly how long it's been because it has been that long since I've posted on this blog. I'm not the best at keeping up my resolutions and I've always known and sort of accepted that about myself. I'm more likely to get caught up in my own life and forget that I ever made the resolution in the first place. I think that's a common failing in our society given how many people can't seem to carry out the New Years resolutions they make to themselves every year. Some people are fantastic at losing those five pounds, following that budget, going to the gym everyday but most of us aren't. Now this post isn't going to be about berating myself or even about accepting things about myself that I can and would like to change, I'm willing to keep working on my own shortcomings. Realistically, this blog is probably never going to be something that I can keep up at a consistent rate because there are plenty of other things in my life that take hold of my attention 95% of the time. But there is one resolution I announced on this blog about a year and a half ago that I mean to follow through on. On a day like today, with the overwhelming power of the internet at the tips of my fingers, this is my priority.
Today was a fairly normal day for me, to be honest. I had the day off from classes, wasn't scheduled for a shift at work, I pretty much spent the day "nesting". I washed the dishes, tidied up my apartment, indulged myself by learning a new song on my guitar, in the grand scheme of things, I had a great day. At intervals throughout my refreshingly normal day I, of course, perused facebook as everyone I know is apt to do in their free time. Oddly enough, it was on facebook that I came to the realisation of just how lucky my day was. A friend of mine posted a link outlining a situation that has been popping up more and more in my news feed and has, as a result, been getting more and more press coverage every single day. For that I am thankful. I am thankful that there is a dialogue raging on our television screens, in our newspapers, on our facebook pages. However, the fact that this keeps popping up on my newsfeed shows that none of us can be silent anymore. I promised a long time ago on this very blog that I would no longer be apathetic to the things that happened in the world around me and I mean to keep that promise.
On February 3rd, a fifteen-year-old boy name Jadin Bell died after being taken off of life support. He attempted suicide after being bullied for being gay. I know it's a headline we all shake our heads at sadly. I also know that it is a headline we've all seen before and have lamented many a time. As usual, the presence of a post like this on my news feed sent my mind reeling. It got me thinking about the age fifteen. I remember being fifteen. It was less than a decade ago that I myself was the tender age of fifteen. I remember the feeling of being fifteen, how small my world was, how big and insurmountable everything that happened to me seemed to be. I was bullied at fifteen. Who can say that they weren't bullied at fifteen? Insecurities bring out the worst in teenagers and, unfortunately, there is very little done to counteract the tendency to lash out at those around us. I was lucky. I had amazing people around me, an incredibly supportive family, wonderful friends and a place in school where I truly felt like I belonged, where I had the luxury of escaping any teasing whispers or harsh words. I don't know what Jadin Bell's situation was. I don't know his family dynamic, the friends he had or didn't have. I don't know how it feels to feel like the world is against you. I don't know how it feels to not only have the biting words thrown at you by your peers but by adults around you, the tv you watch, even the anonymous sources on the internet. I can imagine what it feels like, but I don't know.
The thought of being fifteen also made me think about everything that has happened since then, all the things that I have had the privilege of experiencing. I've loved, been loved, made decisions about my life, changed my mind countless times and learned something new every single day. A life ending at any age is a tragedy, but a life ending at fifteen? when there is so much promise and so many experiences and surprises yet to come? That is a devastating thought. I don't know how to fix this in the grand scheme of things, I have no intention of claiming to have all the answers. There are hundreds of organisations dedicated to making sure anyone being bullied for being gay, or being made to feel insignificant in any way, for any reason, know that they are not alone. That life truly does get better. These organisations are doing an amazing job at bringing about awareness, making kids and adults alike feel like they have a voice and that they are being heard. It obviously isn't enough, however, to stand by and let these organisations do the work. Too many people, myself included are willing to sit back with a sigh of relief because someone is taking charge of the situation and do nothing ourselves. It is time for everyone to pull up their bootstraps and be a part of making this world a better place.
The internet has made it so much easier to be a bully. It has made it so much easier for people to spread their hate and prejudice anonymously, for them to lash out against others in order to assuage their own pain. I don't pretend to be an expert on how to fix this. I'm only one person, and I'm certainly not the most qualified to speak on this subject, but I feel honour bound to say what I can. It's time for us all to give up our mantles of apathy. In fact it is far past time. It is time for everyone in this human family of ours to start educating one another. Prejudice is, in large part, a result of ignorance and it is high time that this ignorance is counteracted. That is the only answer that I can come up with. It is time for us all to start talking to one another and, maybe someday, ignorance can be defeated.
As I was writing this post, yet another news item popped up onto my trusty facebook newsfeed. At the end of a day in which I have been devastated by the pain and injustice still left in the world, I've learned that the United Kingdom same-sex marriage vote has passed with a strong majority of 400-175. If this isn't pure, unequivocal proof that ignorance can be conquered, I don't know what is. So I'd like to finish this post in a few different ways. Number one, with a promise to do what I can to make sure that young people who feel alone know that they truly aren't. Number two, to spread the word and continue talking, no matter how uncomfortable it may make others. LGBT Youth, and adults for that matter, need to know and continue to be told that no matter what situation they are dealing with, they are loved, just as everyone on this planet, no matter their sexual orientation, colour or creed is loved. Number three, to continue to be a part of this dialogue, to be a part of this education and to do what I can to conquer ignorance.
If you are suffering from bullying for any reason, I would encourage you to speak to someone in your life. I promise you that you are truly loved for exactly who you are.
