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Jonathan’s Resource Ezine |
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
- Even More Prizes: 2 More Days and 10 More Prizes—We Just Made it Simpler to Win. Give Us Feedback on Our New Youth Culture Window page…
- Youth Culture Window: The Devastating Effects of Student Bullying
- Something You Can Use: Rihanna’s “Only Girl” – a Music Discussion to Talk about God’s Design for Sex and Relationships
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Jonathan just added 10 more of his books into the hopper… so we’ll be giving away prizes to over 20 people this Thursday!
And now we have one more place where you can qualify to win! Just rate and/or comment on any article on our newly revamped Youth Culture Window page.
HERE’S WHAT YOU DO: It’s simple. Go to our Youth Culture Window page using the FREE RESOURCES & IDEAS dropdown menu on www.TheSource4YM.com. On that page you’ll find 161 Youth Culture Window articles. Those articles now have ratings and comments features at the bottom of each article. You can rate any article 1 through 5 stars, and give us your feedback via comments. For every article you rate and/or comment… your name is entered into our contest once again!
It’s that simple! Read, rate and/or comment!
NOTE: We’re using the honor system here—we thank you for only rating or commenting on articles that you’ve read.
And yes, you still qualify to win just for interacting with us on pages like our new Facebook page as well as Jonathan’s Twitter and Blog.
You Could Win Any of These Prizes:
• Your Choice of Any of Jonathan’s Books!
• Dare2Share’s Gospel Journey Maui Youth Group Curriculum!
• DVD’s like the inspirational movie, Amish Grace!
The Devastating Effects of Student Bullying
by David R. Smith
On September 9, 2010, 15-year old Billy Lucas reached the end of his rope, figuratively and literally. Suspected of being gay, Lucas was tormented continually. He ended the torture by hanging himself.
But Lucas wouldn’t be the last bullied kid to hang himself in September.
A Tragic Month September of 2010 proved to be a heartrending month for several families.
The horror began in Greensburg, Indiana when Billy Lucas hung himself in the barn behind his parents’ home. Though Lucas never claimed to be gay, the mere suspicion of his homosexuality by peers supplied them with the necessary reasons to ridicule him.
School officials, including the principal, claimed to be unaware of any bullying, but this video shows Billy wasn’t the only homosexual who was picked on at Greensburg High School in recent years.
Just 10 days later, the pain of teenage suicide was felt again, this time across the nation in Tehachapi, California. On that Sunday, September 19th, Seth Walsh hung himself from a tree in his back yard. He was just 13 years old.
Adding to the tragedy of this young man’s story was the fact that he spent the last 8 days of his life connected to breathing tubes and IVs, which gave his family the false hope he might survive his self-inflicted wounds.
He did not.
On Monday, the 27th of September, more than a week after his suicide attempt, his frail body finally lost the fight. California news agencies reported that Walsh was yet another victim of anti-gay bullying and teasing.
Astonishingly, between Walsh’s suicide attempt and his eventual death, a third student committed suicide, this time on the east coast.
On the evening of September 22nd, another horrific story about a tormented homosexual student emerged. Earlier that afternoon, Tyler Clementi, a freshman at Rutgers University, committed suicide after a homosexual encounter between himself and another male student was secretly filmed and then publically displayed online by his roommate.
When Clementi, an accomplished violinist, discovered the video, he posted a message on his Facebook account at 8:42pm that simply read, “Jumping off the gw bridge sorry.”
Unfortunately, Clementi followed through, and ended his life by jumping from the George Washington Bridge in New York City later that night.
And though there were 8 more days left in September, only one would pass before the last suicide of the bloody month.
On September 23rd, Asher Brown, a 13-year old living in Houston, TX ended his life with a fatal shot from a Beretta 9mm pistol.
Without a doubt, the young gay Buddhist – who also suffered from Asperger’s Syndrome – stuck out in the Texas town. And he paid a high price for it. His suicide that afternoon followed an episode of bullying – what he determined would be his last – at school that same day.
From now on, every September will bring memories and remorse and regrets to several families across the country.
But it doesn’t have to…
Main Point: God’s design for sex and relationships is the best (and most fulfilling).
The Song: “Only Girl (In the World)” by Rihanna It’s the #1 video this week. The lyrics reveal two opposing viewpoints on sex and relationships that our culture struggles with. Since Rihanna is “sexualized,” it’s a bit surprising to hear her singing about wanting what sounds like a monogamous relationship. Check out her lyrics….
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Jonathan McKee
Jonathan McKee is the author of over twenty books including the brand new The Guy's Guide to FOUR BATTLES Every Young Man Must Face; The Teen’s Guide to Social Media & Mobile Devices; If I Had a Parenting Do Over; and the Amazon Best Seller - The Guy's Guide to God, Girls and the Phone in Your Pocket. He speaks to parents and leaders worldwide, all while providing free resources for youth workers on TheSource4YM.com. Jonathan, his wife Lori, and their three kids live in California.