Joel Morales was a short and intelligent twelve year old boy who lived in East Harlem. He tragically took his own life on May 29, 2012 after being ruthlessly tormented about his shortness, lofty IQ and the fact that his father passed away a few years ago (really cruel).
From the reports I read, he was a nice kid that stayed out of trouble and was seemingly well liked, save for the bullies that targeted him and hunted him down where he lived.
His mother had him transferred to a different school after the incessant bullying and repeated complaints to the school. The principal had an intervention (supposedly) with Joel and his family along with the bullies and their parents to get the bullying to stop; it did, but only temporarily.
Joel stood about 4'9" and people say he looked like he was eight instead of twelve. So that, along with his passive, nice demeanor, made him the target of these kids.(Apparently, short and nice represents weak in these kids eyes). They had followed him to his new school, showed up at his door to pummel him with rocks, a pipe and taunted him about the loss of his father.
Apparently, not enough was done to protect him, though his family did what they could; including taking out a restraining order/order of protection and trying to move out of the housing they were in but were denied.
Sadly, Joel's story will disappear from the eye of the media, as do most bullying stories pertained to children who don't fall under the heading of a protected class. The indifference on the part of the media makes me sick. Where's the outrage when it comes to the short and overweight being bullied? I am sorry but it is just not there. The national media and the nation erupted over Tyler Clementi, Jamey Rodemeyer and Phoebe Prince. Yet, not the same reaction when Daniel Scruggs or Jon Carmichael were lost to bullying. The same will end up happening here too. That apathy, not only on the media's part but society's as well, is probably a contributing factor as to why this happens in the first place.
That is almost as tragic as the loss of Joel Morales.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Sunday, May 13, 2012
If Mitt had cut a short person's hair....
...there is no doubt in my mind that the incident the Washington Post mentioned this past week would have never seen the light of day. Society, as we all know too well, doesn't care about appearance based bullying. The short and overweight aren't powerful enough to have any political influence on anything; so, that should explain the indifference to our dilemma.
Yet, the story of the bullying of a kid fifty years ago, who turned out to be gay, has arisen and much to the displeasure of the family of the victim of the incident (who has since passed away). Of course, President Obama's recent endorsement of gay marriage no doubt had a hand in this story being published. Yes, of course it was wrong, as is all bullying right?(or should be anyway) Still, this happened fifty years ago!
Is the Post going to now print the story of how then (meaning forty years ago) Barack Obama pushed a girl named Coretta (as he stated in is autobiography) who was "plump and dark and had no friends". This incident occurred at a prep school in Hawaii. Yes, the same Barack Obama who is now a staunch advocate of anti-bullying measures. Perhaps this story should have been brought to light a number of months ago when he was speaking out against bullying? This story, just like Mitt Romney's, is just as applicable and relevant, seeing as how the GOP is being labeled as woman hating.
If Jason Horowitz (the writer of the Romney piece) is going to bring out the GOP nominee's past indiscretions and the fact that the person he bullied was gay, it would seem only fair if he pointed out President Obama's past then too and the fact that he bullied a girl; a "plump and dark girl".
But then again, Coretta was an overweight girl, so I guess she didn't/doesn't deserve the same justice and equal rights as someone who is gay.. right Mr Horowitz?
Yet, the story of the bullying of a kid fifty years ago, who turned out to be gay, has arisen and much to the displeasure of the family of the victim of the incident (who has since passed away). Of course, President Obama's recent endorsement of gay marriage no doubt had a hand in this story being published. Yes, of course it was wrong, as is all bullying right?(or should be anyway) Still, this happened fifty years ago!
Is the Post going to now print the story of how then (meaning forty years ago) Barack Obama pushed a girl named Coretta (as he stated in is autobiography) who was "plump and dark and had no friends". This incident occurred at a prep school in Hawaii. Yes, the same Barack Obama who is now a staunch advocate of anti-bullying measures. Perhaps this story should have been brought to light a number of months ago when he was speaking out against bullying? This story, just like Mitt Romney's, is just as applicable and relevant, seeing as how the GOP is being labeled as woman hating.
If Jason Horowitz (the writer of the Romney piece) is going to bring out the GOP nominee's past indiscretions and the fact that the person he bullied was gay, it would seem only fair if he pointed out President Obama's past then too and the fact that he bullied a girl; a "plump and dark girl".
But then again, Coretta was an overweight girl, so I guess she didn't/doesn't deserve the same justice and equal rights as someone who is gay.. right Mr Horowitz?
Monday, May 7, 2012
Heightism: Alive and well!
Well, if Twitter is any indication, there is much hatred and animosity of short people out there; especially short men.
Of course, any objection raised by myself or any other advocate for short people gets us verbally abused (yep, you have to be a real tough guy to cuss and threaten on Twitter don't ya..lol). Warning - offensive language! these are some of the names I have been called by the scum on this social network: "faggot"..."a fuckin jew" ...just for starters. I am not gay and I am not jewish either but that language is uncalled for and hate speech if I ever saw it.
This is what awaits us that want to challenge the status quo out there, that wants to call people on their contempt and bigotry. Soon, those that hate short people just may be given a reason to do so, other than the fact that we don't meet their physical definition of what they find acceptable.
The hypocrisy and double standards really upset me. If similar language was directed at these people, they would be screaming racism and sexism. When I ask them how they would feel in the same situation, they don't answer the question. They respond with "get off my twitter " or something else to evade the question. They don't answer because they know the answer, as we all do; they wouldn't like it either!! Except, they would be calling the likes of Sharpton or NOW, claiming prejudice and hate speech. Yet. they are real quick to bash short people aren't they? Why can't they show the tolerance that they preach so loudly for?
I am frankly disgusted and fed up with these hypocrites! What a stain on society! If these people really feel this way, how much more hatred is out there? Sickening!!
Of course, any objection raised by myself or any other advocate for short people gets us verbally abused (yep, you have to be a real tough guy to cuss and threaten on Twitter don't ya..lol). Warning - offensive language! these are some of the names I have been called by the scum on this social network: "faggot"..."a fuckin jew" ...just for starters. I am not gay and I am not jewish either but that language is uncalled for and hate speech if I ever saw it.
This is what awaits us that want to challenge the status quo out there, that wants to call people on their contempt and bigotry. Soon, those that hate short people just may be given a reason to do so, other than the fact that we don't meet their physical definition of what they find acceptable.
The hypocrisy and double standards really upset me. If similar language was directed at these people, they would be screaming racism and sexism. When I ask them how they would feel in the same situation, they don't answer the question. They respond with "get off my twitter " or something else to evade the question. They don't answer because they know the answer, as we all do; they wouldn't like it either!! Except, they would be calling the likes of Sharpton or NOW, claiming prejudice and hate speech. Yet. they are real quick to bash short people aren't they? Why can't they show the tolerance that they preach so loudly for?
I am frankly disgusted and fed up with these hypocrites! What a stain on society! If these people really feel this way, how much more hatred is out there? Sickening!!
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