Welcome to my new online blog! Some of you may know me from my YouTube videoblog series: How Vu Views It (HVVI). But after realizing I don't like the sound of my voice recorded and how bad I am at speaking to the camera without messing up and restarting, I decided to switch over to writing instead. Plus now I don't have to do my hair to make a blog post :)
This inaugural entry is dedicated to the recent victims of suicide that resulted from bullying, especially anti-LGBT bullying including:
Tyler Clement, 18, Rutgers University
Raymond Chase, 19, Johnson & Wales
Billy Lucas, 15, Indiana
Asher Brown, 13, Texas
Seth Walsh, 13 California
The loss of human life here is nothing short of a tragedy and what's even more tragic is that this isn't a new story. From media portrayals, you would think that gay teen suicide is this huge new problem, but it's been a problem long before the recent deaths. It was a problem when I was a freshman in college and even when I was a freshmen in high school and probably for decades and centuries before then. I remember high school and how hard it could be. No I never tried to commit suicide, but I remember feeling like an outsider, like I didn't belong and I remember being disappointed in who I am.
The problem at hand here folks, is not restricted to the schoolyard or to college campuses, it's rooted deep in our culture. Young people are getting messages from everywhere about what they should be and what they shouldn't be. You should be straight and you shouldn't be gay. Then when queer youth come out to themselves, their self-esteem immediately suffers. Instead of putting all these expectation on children, we should be telling them...as Bruno Mars would put it, "You're amazing just the way you are."
And that's my message to everyone reading this post. You are amazing. You are special. There will never be anyone else quite like you. So if you're feeling down, just remember that IT GETS BETTER. Comments hurt less and you become stronger. And I know it may be hard right now, but hang in there because you are too special of a person for the world to miss out on.
And that's how Vu views it.
What an amazing video you've found. I love love stories and happy endings. Your message and their story is very powerful. Thank you for sharing that. I'm going to re-post the video due to it's importance.
ReplyDeleteThanks Holly! It's part of a project called "It Gets Better" sponsored by Dan Savage. LGBT adults are making videos for queer youth to let them know they're not alone and that "It Gets Better." I tried making one like 10 times, but that whole not liking the sound of my voice recorded and restarting all the time kinda got in the way haha. But YouTube It Gets Better and you'll find a lot more stories with happy endings =)
ReplyDeleteWhat bugs me is that these are all MEN. It seems we still have an imbalance with how men and women are perceived as GLBT people.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE want Mr.Savage is doing. I just feel awkward that its comming from HIM of all people. But what a smart idea, so timely. Any GLBT youth can watch in privacy on thier own time. Mr. Savages life seems like a dream come true!!! Sex articles and all....
I agree. Gay men do get a lot of the spotlight for the LGBT community in the media, which shouldn't necessarily be the case. I've heard that gay men are less accepted than gay women, but in the end all LGBT people are treated as less than equal and all youth (LGBT or not) need to hear that they are special and can go to accomplish great things.
ReplyDelete