In case you missed it, and I did by mere minutes, Jonah and his wonderful family were on Good Morning America this morning speaking out publicly for the first time since the frenzy began last weekend. Okay, let me first say to those who lashed out at my posts yesterday about Jonahmania that you're missing, completely, what I was saying. Let me tell you that watching that raw video from August STILL makes me cry! The 12-year-old boy inside of me who was savagely beaten in a gay bashing felt every single bit of Jonah's pain. As he cried, I cried. And, in the end, as he vowed to fight on, I, too, chose to fight on through it. I'm so glad that I did. He will be, too.
This doesn't mean, mind you, that I'm wavering one iota from my stance that, as we saw again this morning on GMA, Jonah is okay. Better yet, he's going to BE okay. My "rant", as it was called, remains intact: share some of this now-overabundant love and support with some of the other, hidden, teens who are in the exact same boat that Jonah was in in August and let THEM know that there's hope for them. Let THEM know that there's literally millions upon millions of people worldwide, thanks largely to Jonah's video, who are willing to be there for them, as well. See, Jacob Rogers didn't feel that love and support. Now, he's gone. I'm not ready to move past that one yet. He struggled in his final days while the world gushed over Jonah. Not a knock on Jonah; a knock on us as a people. You call it a rant; I call it the blinding truth. Tomato, tomato.
In Jonah's interview, we get to see a healthy, happy Jonah along with his loving, supportive family. Heartwarming. Johan said that he's very happy that "the topic is getting the attention it needs to", finally. That's his gift to us. He encouraged other at-risk teens who are being bullied to "tell your parents...because keeping it in just makes it a lot harder." And, again, his unspoken message was, "I'm ok. Things were really dark then, but I'm ok."
I embrace Jonah Mowry. Undoubtedly, millions of other teens in the same boat do, as well. It took unprecedented courage for him to make that early morning video last August. We're a better people because he did.
jonah your a brave young man and stay strong it will be ok
ReplyDeleteI support you, Ron Kemp.
ReplyDeleteYes, please tell your parents!!! Two of my three children are gay....I'm so thankful they told us....all three of my kids are loved and supported equally....they are each able to be themselves!!!! Fortunately, not hidden and alone and afraid. So sad that anyone would have to hide from the people who love them for even a moment. I'm grateful Jonah made the video and that he is doing so well now. We all can help end the hate by modeling LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE to the children and all the people in our lives. <3 = <3
ReplyDeleteI cried like a baby when i saw his video and again reading this..I say Thank You GOD for Jonah Mowry!I will like many other parents out there,watch more closely for any type of bullying of others..Lets stamp it out once and for all!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI as a gay man,also sympathize and share in Jonahs struggle, but would also like to see a broader sharring of the Support and Love given to the many of young people who are going through their own journey.
ReplyDeleteI, think their is a bit much in way of the attention this young man is getting, when it is not only his fight but that of so many unheard others.But, I too was very glad to see this young man is doing well.
Teens who bully should be sent to some teen military bootcamp to teach them discipline, manners, and respect for others. Bullying is a bad pattern that needs to be broken as early as possible. If parents don't address this pattern early, their teens will end up bullying people at home, at work, etc.
ReplyDeleteTeens who bully will not change overnight. It took time to learn this kind of pattern, so it will also take time to unlearn it.