2012-10-16, 05:08 AM
IMO this is what I call a Fucked up situation. There's more than enough blame for the girl, the bullies, and probably her parents.
Yes she shouldn't have flashed a random stranger on the internet. Does that mean the guy shouldn't be prosecuted for harassment and child pornography? No.
Yes she slept with a guy who was in a relationship. Does that mean he didn't take advantage of her depression and vulnerability? No. It's a freaking high school relationship. Some are measured in minutes...
Yes she turned to drugs, alcohol, and cutting.
Yes she clearly sought attention. Does that mean she wanted the harassment and violence to continue? No. Every high school student wants attention and recognition.
Yes these were all personal choices.
She did bad things. She made mistakes. Yet I believe NO ONE should have to face harassment and beatings. This story is receiving a lot of attention because she is a pretty white girl and "cyber bullying" is a hot topic right now. But that should not be held against her personally or be used to discredit the importance of the actual issues. A CHILD committed suicide and on some level was pushed into it by the treatment of others. I do not mean to blame bullies or any one else for her death. It was her choice, but that doesn't mean others are completely blameless either.
Disclaimer: My girlfriend is in a different, but partially related Fucked up situation. I have learned only one thing that I now believe with complete certainty. No one personal is completely to blame and can be held responsible. It takes several people a LOT of time, effort, and above all patience to pull someone out of a downward spiral of repeated bad decisions.
Sadly she couldn't or wouldn't wouldn't work through her problems. It's sad, but the story is not worth the full (social) media attention it has attracted.
Yes she shouldn't have flashed a random stranger on the internet. Does that mean the guy shouldn't be prosecuted for harassment and child pornography? No.
Yes she slept with a guy who was in a relationship. Does that mean he didn't take advantage of her depression and vulnerability? No. It's a freaking high school relationship. Some are measured in minutes...
Yes she turned to drugs, alcohol, and cutting.
Yes she clearly sought attention. Does that mean she wanted the harassment and violence to continue? No. Every high school student wants attention and recognition.
Yes these were all personal choices.
She did bad things. She made mistakes. Yet I believe NO ONE should have to face harassment and beatings. This story is receiving a lot of attention because she is a pretty white girl and "cyber bullying" is a hot topic right now. But that should not be held against her personally or be used to discredit the importance of the actual issues. A CHILD committed suicide and on some level was pushed into it by the treatment of others. I do not mean to blame bullies or any one else for her death. It was her choice, but that doesn't mean others are completely blameless either.
Disclaimer: My girlfriend is in a different, but partially related Fucked up situation. I have learned only one thing that I now believe with complete certainty. No one personal is completely to blame and can be held responsible. It takes several people a LOT of time, effort, and above all patience to pull someone out of a downward spiral of repeated bad decisions.
Sadly she couldn't or wouldn't wouldn't work through her problems. It's sad, but the story is not worth the full (social) media attention it has attracted.