The “Bullied” article on Page 1 of this issue shows that GRCC Cares created a version of the “It Gets Better Project” for students.
The fact that students put on an event to help wipe out discrimination and ugly thoughts, and tell people affected by these negativities that it will get better, is nothing short of exemplary. It gives me a great deal of pride that fellow students strive to be leaders of a movement, and it gives me hope that there is still good in the world.
Looking back to the history of discrimination, particularly the Civil Rights Movement, a large number of people were totally against a certain group of people–the black people, in this case. And there were hateful comments spouting out of ignorant people’s mouths, only repeating what their parents taught them. It was the societal norm, so it was perfectly acceptable to show public displays of racism.
It took that initial small amount of people to stand up against the prejudices before we, as a society, could move forward.
That is what needs to happen today, particularly in the LGBT community. Ignorant people are quick to spread so much hate just because they grew up with a certain idea in mind. And it is socially acceptable to belittle people of that community, so there is often not much of a backlash when someone offends.
But in reality, it is not OK. Treating innocent people as less than people is never OK. When I see or hear of someone just spouting ignorant comments, I wonder what is even going through the person’s mind. How can people think it’s acceptable to ridicule someone for who he/she is?
We all hear of kids who are bullied in school, gay or not, and most of us believe it’s just part of growing up. This true in some cases, but where is the line drawn between child and adult? When does it stop being all right to bully or be bullied?
From instances I’ve heard, there is no line for some people. Hearing there are college students—adults—who harass other people disgusts me.
People need to wake up; they need to open their eyes and really think for themselves, not just listen to what their parents say or what society tells them. People need to understand that not everyone in this world is born the same. And how dare anyone make people born differently feel rejected?
Whether you believe being part of the LGBT community, or being different in any way, is a choice or not, we can agree that the teens depressed enough to commit suicide did not choose to be bullied, and they did not choose to have the severe depression that came from it.
It’s time for people to stop the hate. It’s time for people to open their minds to those with lifestyles different than their own.
As it happened in the 1960s during the Civil Rights movement, people must be willing to stand up and be ridiculed for fighting against the hate. Congratulations to the members of GRCC Cares for being some of those people.
I grew up in a very diverse atmosphere and the LGBT produces some of the most personable, colorful, expressive, lively and heart-on-the-sleeve wearing, real, human beings on the planet and when people choose to admire and learn from the community spectrum, their hearts and minds grow rather than atrophy.