SPIRIT DAY - 10/20/2010

I understand that this is only my third post and this is supposed to be a funny blog but I have to get a little serious here for a second. Today, October 20^th, 2010, people are wearing purple to commemorate the LGBT kids who recently took their own lives because they were being bullied so badly. Look, I’m no celebrity, I’m not a Kardashian, and despite being from Jersey I’m not on any of the shows, nor am I some self-important person thinking I can change anything by writing this, but I have several things to say on the matter, so I figured why not do it here. Bullies are shitheads. They are losers with no class and no discernible style or skill who try to wield what little power they have by abusing others using whatever they have at their disposal. Sometimes it’s verbal abuse; sometimes it’s aggressive physical abuse. I don’t want to play into this “it gets better” movement because, as noble as it is, I think it sends a little bit of the wrong message. Life is hard for everyone. It’s complicated and not always great, especially adolescence, but it is never not worth living.

I can’t imagine how anyone would believe that being gay is a choice. Like one day eating lunch one suddenly stops and thinks, “You know, the gays really have it good. I want that! After I’m done with this sandwich I’m gonna go find my same sex soul-mate and marry them! Oh wait…” Growing up gay is especially tough. As supportive as your family and friends may be, there is still no easy way to be gay. There is a ton of confusion and torment that goes on in your head once you begin to realize that you are different. Think about all the strange shit that goes on in your body during puberty and then multiply it by the fact that you are suddenly realizing that you just don’t match up with everyone else. You don’t desire the same things that other boys or girls your age do, you suddenly can’t relate to their interests anymore, and you begin to disconnect from the “norm.” That is an incredibly difficult thing to accept. Then, imagine not only coming to terms with and accepting the fact that you feel that way (which many don’t), but also mustering up the courage to tell the people you love. By coming out to them you risk losing their respect and potentially ruining your entire relationship. Being gay doesn’t only affect you; it truly affects everyone around you in some way or another. Imagine, especially as a child, carrying that weight around on your shoulders. Pile on ridicule from bullies who just don’t understand and can’t accept the life that they believe you “chose” for yourself. Yeah… get the picture? It’s hell.

The only advice I can give if by any chance anyone in that situation is reading this is that it is so important to stay true to yourself and your convictions. Know what you are passionate about and focus on that. Stick with it. Find the people who love and accept you and stick with them, you’ll forge incredible bonds that will last you a lifetime. The most important thing is to never compromise yourself or your beliefs. Never shy away from who you are or what you are about for anyone. You have one life and remember this one’s for you, not anyone else. Just stay strong and know that there are plenty of other people who have felt lost and alone just like you. Seek help from others.

Wearing purple is all well and good. We need to commemorate these children as best we can, but in the end purple just will not remotely do the trick, nor will it bring them back. These kids will not have a life anymore, nor will they have any more opportunities to see what life has to offer. Their parents will not see them again, nor will their siblings, their grandparents, or their friends. But enough about these kids who could have gone on to become successful doctors, lawyers, authors, politicians; they, nor we, will be able to see where they could have gone. Let’s turn our focus to the bullies for a second. What else can I say… I hope you learned your lesson? I hope you’re really proud of yourselves? Have fun peaking in middle school. Enjoy it while it lasts. And to those who would even think of taking their life, all I can say is don’t. You are special and you are definitely loved. You may not feel like it right now, but you are awesome, and why deprive anyone else of experiencing your awesomeness. And while everyone deserves the chance to bask in your coolness, the most important of those people is you. Give yourself that opportunity. Peace.

JETZ SCALE:

BULLYING: ABSOLUTELY NO JETZ… ZERO

LIFE: 5 JETZ – LIFE IS SO HOT RIGHT NOW… LET’S ALL ENJOY WHAT IT HAS TO OFFER PEACEFULLY