Below is an email I sent on October 6th to some students and colleagues reflecting on the recent suicide of Rutgers student Tyler Clementi. Students, staff and Faculty held several events yesterday in conjunction with 'Spirit Day' that had me quite moved so I figured I would share this too in support.
Also included the White House message from Pres. Obama as well
- David
----------
From: Surratt, David
Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2010 12:03 AM
Reflecting on the recent tragedy of Rutgers student Tyler Clementi, I
feel compelled to share briefly my thoughts and a continued call to
action about the importance of standing up for ourselves and for one
another.
Lesbian and gay college students have been and remain one of the most
attacked and harassed members of college communities across the country.
It's saddening that it took the suicide of Tyler Clementi (among other
less publicized similar deaths across the country in recent months) to
realize that there are potentially fatal consequences to bullying and
emotional attacks because of someone being perceived as different or
odd.
Regardless of whether this is believed to be a crime of bias against
Tyler because he was gay or simply an invasion of privacy, this incident
has sparked national discussion about the silence and personal shame
that the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) community is
sometimes forced to endure. This community is silenced by the
intimidation of those who do not wish to accept people for who they are.
And, in times such as Tyler's, made to feel so ashamed to be yourself
that hope is lost.
I want to encourage and implore you to be diligent in standing up for
those who need your support. I dare you to be "different." Different in
the sense of understanding the uniqueness and pride in who you are. And
different from the many people who stand idly by in acceptance of
bullying and making fun at the expense of others. One would hope that
there are more people who stand up for others than not, but events like
these are a reminder that we cannot rest on those assumptions.
Please dare to be different as it might just make a difference in the
lives of others.
Sincerely,
David
Also included the White House message from Pres. Obama as well
- David
----------
From: Surratt, David
Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2010 12:03 AM
Reflecting on the recent tragedy of Rutgers student Tyler Clementi, I
feel compelled to share briefly my thoughts and a continued call to
action about the importance of standing up for ourselves and for one
another.
Lesbian and gay college students have been and remain one of the most
attacked and harassed members of college communities across the country.
It's saddening that it took the suicide of Tyler Clementi (among other
less publicized similar deaths across the country in recent months) to
realize that there are potentially fatal consequences to bullying and
emotional attacks because of someone being perceived as different or
odd.
Regardless of whether this is believed to be a crime of bias against
Tyler because he was gay or simply an invasion of privacy, this incident
has sparked national discussion about the silence and personal shame
that the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) community is
sometimes forced to endure. This community is silenced by the
intimidation of those who do not wish to accept people for who they are.
And, in times such as Tyler's, made to feel so ashamed to be yourself
that hope is lost.
I want to encourage and implore you to be diligent in standing up for
those who need your support. I dare you to be "different." Different in
the sense of understanding the uniqueness and pride in who you are. And
different from the many people who stand idly by in acceptance of
bullying and making fun at the expense of others. One would hope that
there are more people who stand up for others than not, but events like
these are a reminder that we cannot rest on those assumptions.
Please dare to be different as it might just make a difference in the
lives of others.
Sincerely,
David
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