The tragic story of B.C. teen Amanda Todd has been told over and over this week but in case you didn’t hear: After many instances of bullying, 15-year old Amanda Todd made an anti-bullying video entitled “My Story: Struggling, bullying, suicide and self harm” she posted on YouTube in September. Last week she committed suicide and it set off an online frenzy on social networks around the world. Most people offered sympathy and it also brought bullying to the forefront of social issues again.
Yet there was a vocal minority who didn’t feel the same way. They wanted to bring up the fact that she did many things to tarnish her image. She flashed her breasts, she slept with a guy who had a girlfriend and so forth. Some people even created online groups to show the “real” Amanda Todd.
One person wrote: “Amanda Todd was a whore. If you asked her to show her t--- , she would do so without even thinking twice. If you wanted to f--- her, she'd be bent over before you finished suggesting it to her… She even whored herself out for money. Above all that, she f----- a guy who already had a girlfriend, and Amanda was only thirteen years old at the time. Go ahead and tell us about how she's a hero, an inspiration, an angel. I f------ dare you, you bandwagoning sheep.”
Wow. Really? So for all these reasons we should forget about a teen, not even an adult yet, who took her own life? For all intents and purposes, she was only a girl. At an age where one would be experiencing their first love, their first heartache, their first parties and so on, she was so hurt inside she killed herself.
Yes, we should learn from Amanda and pay more attention to people around us. Look for those signs of depression. Listen to what’s being said. But in no way whatsoever should her death be minimized by anyone, let alone people who didn’t even know her. Her family is hurting badly right now and deserve the dignity Amanda did not get in her lifetime.
I’m sick of bullying, cyber-bullying, and now this post-death bullying. The world is a beautiful place and a few evil souls are stopping some people from seeing that. Shame on them.
And to the bullies out there remember: Karma’s a real bitch.
- Brian
Resources for help:
Centre for Suicide Prevention
Suite 320, 105 12 Avenue S.E.
Calgary, AB T2G 1A1
Phone: 403-245-3900
Catholic Family Services - Counselling Service
#250, 707 - 10 Avenue SW
Phone: 403-233-2360
Distress Centre Calgary
Main Crisis Line:403-266-4357
ConnecTeen: 403-264-TEEN (7336)
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