It has to be something in the water. Within a span of 2 months, the Ohio public school system was on the wrong side of a major news story involving young people, bullying, and the school system's inability to do anything about it. Or, was it a lack of caring?
On October 17th, openly gay teenage student Zach Huston was brutally attacked while the whole episode was caught on a cellphone video camera. If you haven't seen it, do so. It's beyond bullying, actually. It's a clear-cut case of premeditated first-degree assault. And, as a punishment, the perpetrator received a 3-day suspension. Unbelievable!
The silver lining of the incident is that a.) the video quickly went viral on youtube (exposing to the world Union-Scioto High School officials' inability to protect their students); and, b.) the ACLU has taken this case and is pushing to have the perpetrator brought up on hate-crime charges. While they're at it, they should charge the person who filmed it, since they obviously knew what was about to transpire, as well as the school administrators who told young Zach, when he complained repeatedly to them about the bullying and abuse, that "boys will be boys". Really? Is that the best you can offer your students?
Then, on November 28th, Brittany Tucker ended up in ICU after enduring far too much bullying. She, too, had gone to the school officials. They didn't respond. Brittany just returned to school this past week, Monday the 12th. And, the bullying returned, as well. Again, Brittany went to the school's administrators. THEY DIDN'T RESPOND!! Brittany reached her breaking point and reacted to the bullies. Brittany was expelled!! In my blog entry, "URGENT CALL TO ACTION!!", there are some contacts for every single person who reads this to contact and expose the injustice and inability of Brittany's school's administrators to protect her. Not only did they not protect her, they allowed it to go on so long, she felt no other way out but suicide. (thank God it was a failed attempt) Not only did they not protect her, they expelled HER for lashing out at the same bullies THEY didn't address in the first place.
Get those links. Let your voices be heard...loudly and clearly. Brittany's school administrator's actions were unacceptable and will not be tolerated. ZERO TOLERANCE! Oh, and if you ever visit Ohio, don't drink the water.
