Bullying has been blamed for recent teenage suicides in Quebec and Ontario and its various forms of abuse are finally receiving the awareness its victims have long cried out for.
I recently saw a YouTube video titled “Whats going on...” featuring Jonah Mowry and if you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend that you do. The video illustrates the face of a bullied teenager who has had to endure both physical and psychological abuse throughout his adolescent life. His scars and his tears are startlingly palpable but they are overshadowed by the courageous attempt to present his depressing life-story. It is a persevering message for victims of all ages, sexualities and cultures to learn from and coming from a distraught 8th grader makes it even more inspiring.
The recent-bullying related suicides in Canada however illustrates that victims are not as open about their hardships as Jonah but are rather living incredibly secretive lives, beleaguered by depression and low-self esteem. It has sadly taken the deaths of 15-year olds Jamie Hubley on October 15 and Marjorie Raymond on November 28, for legislative awareness to pervade onto this subject.
Jamie Hubley’s tragic life prematurely ended when he decided that death was easier than being a homo-sexual teenager. He longed to be accepted but the emotional and verbal abuse over his sexual differences proved ultimately too much for the 10th grader to handle.
Hubley’s life will be deeply remembered and his death will have a profound impact on the lives of fellow bullying victims as Ontario Premier Dalton McGunity recently passed the province’s anti-bullying bill – which allows for the expulsion of students for discriminating or abusing others in school. The bill has already proved controversial as some argue expulsion would only serve to further alienate bullies from the rest of society, but if it successfully prevents the pain and mortification that these growing numbers of victims are experiencing, then this legislation must be rigidly enforced.
According to the U.N Convention on the Rights of the Child, almost 42% of more than 1200 9-13 year olds admitted to bullying other kids at least once. This percentile is disheartening but when you consider the different kinds of emotional, verbal, and physical abuse that takes place, then the figure becomes more plausible. Cyber-bullying has also become increasingly widespread, especially among young people as they use technology and social network websites to target and harm others. The victims targeted in society are often too easily identified either through their disability, their sexual affiliation or their visible appearance.
Racial abuse is perhaps the most predominantly visible form of bullying, not only in schools but in all levels of society. This form of abuse is ignorantly formed around negative stereotypes and connotations which minorities are associated with. Any form of legislation which allows for a greater amount of respect and understanding between different cultures needs be welcomed. Hopefully the anti-bullying bill allows any lingering form of racial discrimination and abuse to be adequately replaced by tolerance and acceptance, and where better to start teaching this message than in our schools?
For those who are subjected to abuse by others, please speak out and inform others. It is incredibly difficult to understand what you’re going through but it is equally important to know that you are not alone. Don’t be afraid to ask for professional assistance and advice from school counsellors or principals who are there to help you. It’s hard to remain strong during these dark times but as Jonah Mowry fittingly points out at the end of his video; there are a million of reasons for you to be here.
Author: Christopher Alvarado
Photo Source: CBC News
