This is an interesting idea The new language echoes the mission statement of Milwaukee's Alliance School, where lead teacher Tina Owen said staff have been successful in attracting — and protecting — a wide range of students, from those who identify as "Goth" to teens with disabilities. "They find it to be a place where they can be themselves," Owen said. "It's a safe place." But even without a mission statement aimed directly at gay youth, about 60 percent of Alliance School's 125 students identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. Not surprising considering students nationwide say sexual orientation and gender identity are two of the top three reasons behind bullying and harassment. Appearance is No. 1, according to the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). A 2007 GLSEN survey of more than 6,200 middle and high school students found that 86 percent of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered students experienced harassment in the past year because of their sexual orientation and 60 percent felt unsafe at school. In the same survey, 33 percent reported skipping a day of school in the past month because they felt unsafe, compared to 4.5 percent of a national sample of secondary school students. "Harassment is the rule, not the exception, if you're an LGBT student," said Kevin Jennings, founder of the New York City-based GLSEN.
Proposed Gay High School Changed to 'Bully-Free' School
FOXNews - Nov 18, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
School in America aimed for diverse kids
Monday, November 10, 2008
Attack in Poole
Poole man
Mum’s praise for Goth rescue man
10:00am Friday 7th November 2008
THE devastated mum of Sophie Lancaster, the young Goth woman murdered as she tried to protect her boyfriend from a gang attack, has praised the Poole man who broke up a similar brawl on Halloween.
Aran Pope, who witnessed a gang of eight youths surrounding three teenage Goths in Parkstone, stepped in after recalling Sophie’s fate.
Sophie’s mum, Sylvia – who has since established a foundation in her daughter’s name – said: “Mr Pope is obviously very brave and if more people stood up to bullies in the way that he did, they may think twice in the future.
“I have read the article regarding the attack on the Goth teenagers and I would like to say to Mr Pope: well done.”
Mr Pope, 35, who spotted one Goth teen being punched and kicked on the floor, told the Daily Echo: “As it was happening, the young Goth woman who was killed popped into my head. I just knew I had to do something.”
He managed to disperse the group with the help of a passing off duty policeman, and was praised by Dorset Police for his public-spiritedness. No-one was seriously injured in the incident.
Earlier this year, Sophie, 20, was kicked to death by two 16-year-olds in a Lancashire park as she tried to protect her boyfriend, attacked simply because he was a follower of the Goth subculture.
Sophie’s mum said: “Since the death of my daughter I, along with friends, have set up the Sophie Lancaster Foundation. We receive, on almost a daily basis, instances of violence against young people from alternative subcultures, and we as a foundation are trying to raise awareness of the intolerance they face.”
Following Friday’s Parkstone incident, four people have been arrested and released on police bail. The investigation is ongoing.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Sentence review
Cut in jail sentence for one of goth's killers
Ryan Herbert, 16, of Bacup, Lancashire, was sentenced to life, with a minimum term of 16 years and three months for kicking and stamping Sophie Lancaster to ...
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Goth March in Plymouth
We wear black – and we're proud
Plymouth Evening Herald - Sep 4, 2008
They were among more than 100 goths who marched through Plymouth city centre to mark the anniversary of the mob killing of Sophie Lancaster, in Manchester,
Goths step out with a message of tolerance
Plymouth Evening Herald - Sep 1, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Vicious attack on Goths in Rothwell, Leeds - Paul Gibbs seriously injured
Another vicious attack and mutilation with the most serious injuries inflicted on 26 year old Paul Gibbs and two others injured as well. This sounds like another very horrifying crime:
Echoes of Reservoir Dogs as camper's severed ear found
Yorkshire Post - Aug 30, 2008
One man and two youths are still in custody being questioned in on suspicion of robbery and attempted murder in connection with the case.
The 26-year-old was one of a group of about 20 young goths who were camping on parkland close to the John O'Gaunts estate in Rothwell, east of Leeds, when they were viciously attacked. Four of the group were stabbed and two of the girls were robbed at knifepoint. Two of the four injured men suffered serious injuries.
It is believed the group had travelled up to the John O'Gaunts area at around 8pm on Wednesday and were having a barbecue, drinking and listening to music.Police said a number of attacks took place at different times and at different locations, before one of the group made a frantic call to police. The most violent of the incidents resulted in the man's ear being severed.
Leeds Goths' tribute to pal who had ear sliced off
Yorkshire Evening Post - Sep 1, 2008
Kyle Staniforth was camping with around 20 mosher or Goth friends, ... Police have not revealed the extent of his injuries, other than to his ear
Rothwell Goth attack: Three in court
Rothwell Today - Aug 28, 2008
Police probe Leeds Goth attack after man's ear chopped off ...
Police probe Leeds Goth attack after man's ear chopped off - Residents told of
their shock today over a terrifying night of knife crime
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
March in Sheffield successful
DEVONSHIRE Green was filled with people of all ages, shapes and sizes on - but there was only one colour to be seen.The green was a sea of black as around a hundred 'Goths' assembled for a march around the city centre in a plea for tolerance from a society they feel gives them little respect.
Everywhere you looked there was black eyeliner, crosses and an air of melancholy.
The Sheffield Star.
http://www.thestar.co.uk/h
Sheffield Telegraph.
http://www.sheffieldtelegr
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Anti- Emo conspiracy?
MS13 behind Emo bullying? Interesting article.
Kids, gangs, Emos & suicide
pittsburghlive.com - Aug 24, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Emo Satanic Panic in South Africa
Another moral panic this time in South Africa. For some reason the article seems to combine emo, satanism and metal together in a nonsensical combination.
Sword killing sparks fears of satanic ritual deaths
Weekend Post - Aug 23, 2008
Psychologists warn that the inability of parents and schools to recognise when teenagers are troubled or involved in potentially lethal activities could result in scenarios where they play out their fantasies among their peers – as happened at the Nic Diederichs Technical High School in Krugersdorp on Monday with tragic consequences.
Teenagers in the Eastern and Southern Cape – like their peers in other parts of the world – are also falling prey to a dark new sub-culture known as “Emo”, according to counsellors.
Emo, short for emotional, stems from the alternative US music scene and refers to teens who dress in black, wear dark make-up, show no emotion and listen to bands with lyrics about death and depression. It has already claimed at least one life – that of British 13-year-old Hannah Bond – late last year, after she hanged herself from her bunk bed.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Shop under seige
Shop owner under attack for being different
Jul 19 2008 by Andy Passant, Evening Gazette
A STOCKTON shop owner has spoken out after being terrorised by a gang of young yobs for dressing differently.
Silver Johnson, who runs the Enter the Asylum alternative clothing store, believes both her customers and herself are picked on because of how they look.
The Stockton High Street shop is a magnet for those who embrace alternative culture, often referred to as goths, emos or punks.
But in recent months they have been the targets of verbal abuse and intimidation
Last week two boys were attacked on the same evening, one outside Silver’s shop and another attending an event she had organised.
At 6.30pm on Thursday, July 10, a 13-year-old boy was attacked by one of a gang of youths entering the shop. One of the gang struck him on the head with what is believed to be a metal bar, leaving him with bruising to his head.
Then at 7.40pm the same evening, it is believed members of the same gang attacked Silver’s 15-year-old son Martyn as he attended a youth event at the Georgian Theatre.
A youth punched him in the face, leaving him with bruising and swelling.
Silver, a 39-year-old mother-of-five from Stockton, said: “It is an escalating problem.
“We run an under-18s night from the shop. I categorise it as alternative to the mainstream.
“We started off having a bit of chew, nothing major, but over the last six months it has escalated.”
She said there was a gang of 30 to 40 youths, boys and girls, some believed to be as young as 10. Silver said she had also been threatened with a broken bottle.
As well as the assault on her son Martyn, her daughter Elizabeth, 13, has also been attacked.
“She was beaten up about four weeks ago on the Riverside Road. She was beaten by a girl. She was walking away and the girl was going ‘Fight me’.
“Racial abuse is high up on everyone’s agenda but when it comes to people who dress differently nobody is bothered.
“Why should we have to change the way we dress just because some people don’t like what we are?
“At the end of the day it is only music and clothes.”
PC Debbie Morgan, Stockton’s minorities liaison officer, said: “We take all forms of hate crime extremely seriously. All incidents reported will be investigated fully. We are working closely with Silver to stop this problem re-occurring.”
You can visit the shop website in Stockton-on-Tees below.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Emo/Goth in Russia - protests against proposed law
We covered the Russian governments plan to ban goth and emo previously. Now emos have taken to the streets in protest in Siberia.
FP – 20 July 2008:
'Siberian emo fans protest planned ban: report'
Interesting article in Moscow Times
The Moscow Times – 17 July 2008:
'Black Bangs, Piercings Raise Eyebrows in Duma'
Igor Ponkin, one of the bill's authors and a member of the Interior Ministry's public oversight council, described emo culture as a "social danger" that demands measures such as dress codes in schools, Internet regulation and state-sponsored after-school activities.
Ponkin said emo kids exchange photographs showing off their slashed wrists. "This type of behavior is a crucial part of emo ideology," he said.
"Of course there are emo teens who just listen to their music. But our actions are not directed at them but rather at those who also hurt themselves, commit suicide and promote those acts," Ponkin added.
Not all psychologists agree with Ponkin's analysis, however.
"Suicide is not a symptom of emo culture. I work with other teens too, and every group has emotionally troubled kids," said psychologist Inna Cherkova, who has worked with local teenagers, including emo kids, for 15 years.
Many subcultures can, in fact, help children mature into adults, psychologist Alyona Filippova said.
"Many kids seek those with the same perspective and problems and, through this, they can enter general society," Filippova said.
This led to a Guardian report:
The Guardian – 22 July 2008:
'Russia wages war on emo kids'
Of cours th Daily Mail would institute similar measures in the UK.First came the Chechens, then ethnic Georgians, and then maverick journalists. But now Russia's cracking down on a different social group, a demographic they see threatening the very future of their country. These rebels have pierced lips, ridiculous haircuts and too much eyeshadow. They're barbarians in bowler hats, leather jackets and torn-up tights. Yes, emo has come to Russia – and its leaders want no part of it.
Last month the State Duma held a hearing on "Government Strategy in the Sphere of Spiritual and Ethical Education", a piece of legislation aimed at curbing "dangerous teen trends". There, without a clue in the world, social conservatives lumped "emos" together with skinheads, pushing for heavy regulation of emo websites and the banning of emo and goth fashion from schools and government buildings.
Good coverage of this at freemuse:
Government plan to ban emo and goth music
Freemuse,
March in Shefield in honour of Sophie Lancaster/ Others planned across country
Alicia Thompson the organiser posted this appeal online explaining the reasons behind the march:
Many alternative people across the globe have reported being attacked by thugs simply for the way they dress. This is more common than we all think. Adults are glassed in the streets, punched, kicked or generally have verbal abuse thrown at them when theyve done nothing to provoke it. Not just that, many young people, still in their school years are being viciously beaten by their fellow pupils for looking 'different'.
You dont have to look very far to find thousands of people who say theyve been assaulted or worse, purely for their sub-culture affiliation. Just because you like Heavy Metal music, wear a Gothic dress, have a mohawk haircut or wear colours that others would deem not 'normal,' does not mean that society can take its pathetic mentality out on you!
What happened to our dearest Sophie Lancaster, for me, is the straw that broke the camels' back. When people are dying, its time to stand up and take action!
Brian Deneke was a punk who was run down by a jock in a car, he died instantly and the jock laughed about it! Tempest Smith was a young 12 year old girl who could no longer live with the threats and abuse she suffered daily at the hands of bullies. She commited suicide and I DAMN those newspapers who say it was because the music she listened to told her to do it! Get the real story you mind numbingly pathetic journalists!
This cannot be allowed to continue and we cannot allow any more people to die because of societies moronic views of alternative people. We're the good guys for crying out loud!
We need to put an end to Alterophobia now!
With all this in mind, i've organised a march through Sheffield city Centre on 31st August 2008. We will stand side by side, in support of our fellow brethren and we will be seen AND heard as we proudly show the public who we truely are!
It's not a demonstration, nor a picket of any sort, just a march... a march to show and celebrate our diversity and colours, a march to say 'We remember those who were treated unfairly and those who suffered tragic consequences'. We remember Sophie, Brian, Tempest, Megan, Sam, Lee, Josh and many others who are no longer with us today because they chose to be shepherds and not sheep.
I NEED AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE TO MARCH WITH ME!!!
Dress how you feel comfortable, i ask only that you represent yourself as true as possible.
EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT ALTERNATIVE, come and support our cause and show the world that all people are unique and beautiful just the way they are!
It should prove to be an awesome experience - and i shall be filming throughout.
'SEEN AND NOT HEARD - THE PARADE OF UNITED SOULS'
MEET AT THE DEVONSHIRE GREEN AT 11.45AM. WE SET OFF WHEN THE TOWN HALL CLOCK STRIKES 12!!
DON'T WORRY if you can't make it to the Sheffield march - there are more marches being set up in other parts of the UK.
NEWCASTLE - organised by my good friend Laura Hopcroft. You can find her group here:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=56566375460
PLYMOUTH/DEVON/CORNWALL - organised by another good friend Scott Laycock. You can find his group here:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=56434245415
EAST ANGLIA - The Gothic Liberation Front (East Anglia Division) is setting up a march in Ipswich. You can contact them via their Myspace page here:
http://www.myspace.com/glfeastangliauk
SOUTH AFRICA - organised by good friend and talented journalist-in-the-making, Rhann. You can find his group here:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=19746247966
CAMDEN, LONDON - Still as yet to be confirmed and organised. Will update ASAP
WE'LL NOTIFY YOU ON ANY MORE MARCHES AS SOON AS WE GET THE INFO.
Get yourselves ready to be heard!!
All support is welcome... thanks!
YOU CAN CONTACT ME AT: A_THOMPSON7@SKY.COM
This is excellent work and we can only hope others get involved.
The local paper covered it here:
Goths to march through Sheffield in bid to stop abuse
The Star, UK -
HUNDREDS of goths are set to march through Sheffield to protest against the abuse they say they receive for dressing differently.Clad mainly in black, with piercings and bright colours in their hair, members of the scene say they are fed up of being singled out for abuse - and claim they receive little support from the authorities.
Organiser Alicia Thompson, aged 32, of Wincobank, who likes to wear black dresses, boots and has her hair black and red, said: "We live in a world that doesn't accept this kind of difference and young people are continuously mocked, attacked and sometimes even killed for the way they look."
In April, national headlines were made when two teenagers were jailed for life for the murder of Sophie Lancaster, who suffered fatal injuries when she intervened to stop her boyfriend being beaten.
The court heard the sole motive for the attack was because Sophie and her boyfriend dressed as goths.
Lots of other events held or being planned recently.
Sophie's legacy of love Manchester Online, UK - A Sophie Lancaster Foundation has now been set up. It aims to raise funds and provide a forum for discussion, work with youths to raise awareness. The SOPHIE logo was designed by family friend Ben Conboy-Greenwood, 23. Hoodies, along with vest tops, bags and wristbands, are available through the MySpace page with all proceeds going to the campaign. So far £22,000 has been raised. |
Tribute to Tragic Goth RedOrbit, TX - YOUNGSTERS in Sandwell are to stage a memorial concert to pay tribute to murdered goth girl Sophie Lancaster. The borough's young people are holding a ... |
Suckers to stamp out violence The Visitor, UK - The charity was founded by the family and friends of Sophie Lancaster, the Goth girl from Bacup, who was senselessly murdered for being different in her ... |
Lancashire Telegraph, UK -
Money raised by the event would be given to the families of Sophie Lancaster, who was murdered in Stubbylee Park, Matthew Entwistle, who died in a motorbike ...
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
British Street Gangs focused on clothing
Interesting article:
Crips and Bloods: How Britain's mobs are imitating US gangs
Times Online, UK -
Last year Sophie Lancaster, 20, was kicked to death by youths in Bacup, Lancashire, because she was dressed as a Goth. Have we reached a point where a young
Monday, July 14, 2008
Sam Leeson - Investigation continues
Vicar blasts 'terrorist' cyberbullies who drove Emo teen to suicide
Times Online, UK -
Canon John Evans, conducting the funeral of Sam Leeson, said online tormentors who hounded him because of his dark clothes and alternative music taste murdered him as surely "as if someone had killed him with a gun".
He called on companies operating social networking sites to take action against the "cowardly" minority of bullies "hiding in the dark", to prevent such tragedies from happening in future. Those making millions from such sites had a responsibility to tackle online abusers, who he said were "just as bad as those who throw bombs."
Sam was found hanged in his bedroom on June 5, following months of online abuse which his family only uncovered after his death. He had been taunted on his Bebo page about his devotion to the goth-influenced movement, followers of which often have long dark hair and make-up and wear black clothes.
WE CANNOT LET KILLING GO ON
Evening Post, UK
The past few weeks have not been good weeks to be parents. I met a remarkable mother a few days ago whose teenage son Sam committed suicide recently.
Still grieving, Sally Cope was brave enough to come into the TV news studio to talk about her appalling experience. She may well have found it cathartic but she wanted to warn other parents, in an attempt to save them from the pain she's going through and will continue to go through for the rest of her life. She also wanted to encourage teenagers, especially boys, to talk about their problems and not to bottle them up.
The police are scouring the hard drive on Sam's computer because they believe he could have been the latest victim of the new teenage curse of cyber bullying. Detectives think he may have attracted this sickening attention because of his love of "Emo" culture. Incredibly in a survey last week, one in six teenagers admitted to bullying online and also confessed they found it easy to do because it was anonymous.
Like any responsible parent Sally said she monitored what Sam and his younger sister were up to while in front of their laptop, but like all of us, she couldn't stand behind them permanently, watching every single move of the mouse. Sally says the first she knew of the seriousness of Sam's inner turmoil was when she found him, dead. She didn't even have a chance to talk to Sam about what was eating away at him inside. What makes her terrible experience even worse is that more faceless cowards have been altering, in a very unpleasant way, the many tributes to Sam that have been posted on message boards - it's the online equivalent to desecrating a newly dug grave.
Another attempt to define emo:
Tickle Me Emo
Chronicle of Higher Education (subscription) 13 Jul 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Dangers of the Myth of Emo Slf-harm
Generation ‘whine’ and other self-harm myths
On Line opinion, Australia -
Perhaps you already care about self-harm. You wrote your worries on your body one night, too empty to feel much as you sought to tell others what you couldn’t explain to yourself. You covered up more than wounds with bandages and wore winter clothing on summer days as a talisman against shame.
You tried it once because you wanted to feel alive, and when you tried to stop, your mind declared otherwise. You replaced one kind of pain with another, which felt a lot like self-help, and the logic of your universe came undone.
Or perhaps you've never cared about self-harm, maybe you just read about it, and became interested in the lore of “cutting culture” - how it is a fad promoted by the “emo” subculture, how it is all about attention-seeking, all about suicidal intent, all about manipulation, how it drove some kid in America to shoot his classmates. Perhaps you don't care about self-harm at all.
Well, now would be a good time to start.
Young people who self-harm* provoke plenty of vilification, but not enough care. Figures published recently by The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) show that hospitalisation for self-harm among people aged 12 to 24 has risen by 43 per cent in 10 years.
But while the jump is disturbing, so too is the hidden number of young people who self-harm but don’t seek help, silent casualties of moral panic and mental health stigma. Ignorance has allowed self-harm to become something ridiculed and taboo, something to talk about in whispers, with cynical sneers. Much is said about self-harm; very little of that is true.
So let's clear up a few misconceptions. Self-harm is not a fashion statement. It is not about exploiting the goodwill of others in order to be noticed. It does not “cause” homicidal behaviour, unless you are a darkly imaginative journalist with a penchant for attention-grabbing sensationalism. Self-harm’s tenuous link to emo (short for “emotional”) comes from the music genre’s lyrics - intimate, confessional - and though they’re certainly an acquired taste, it’s naïve to believe that counterculture is the poison in the well of mainstream society.
Rather, self-harm is a coping mechanism. It is a way of controlling, diverting or communicating overwhelming feelings. (The relationship between self-harm and suicide is complex; in most cases it is not intended to be fatal.)
Knowing what they’re up against - the stereotypes, the prejudice - you start to understand why some young people who self-harm claim “accidental injury” in hospital emergency rooms. And you start to understand why they might find false solace in the “safety” of secrecy, too.
Self-harm is not a “psychotic” act - any more than responding to stress by drowning one’s sorrows in a pot or two of beer is. But the mythology of self-harm denotes otherwise, spurred on by negative spin from a media industry indifferent to empowering young people equally. Vulnerable young people are too often demonised; those in need of help most.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Story of bullied teenager in Australia
A familar story..
Read Tori Matthews-Osman's story about bullying
Geelong Advertiser, Australia -
Another article points out music has little to do with slf harm and it is a myth:
Generation ‘whine’ and other self-harm myths
On Line opinion, Australia -
This interesting article reveals how prejudice against emo feeds into prompting people with mental problems into feeling even worse about themselves:You tried it once because you wanted to feel alive, and when you tried to stop, your mind declared otherwise. You replaced one kind of pain with another, which felt a lot like self-help, and the logic of your universe came undone.
Or perhaps you've never cared about self-harm, maybe you just read about it, and became interested in the lore of “cutting culture” - how it is a fad promoted by the “emo” subculture, how it is all about attention-seeking, all about suicidal intent, all about manipulation, how it drove some kid in America to shoot his classmates. Perhaps you don't care about self-harm at all.
Well, now would be a good time to start.
Young people who self-harm* provoke plenty of vilification, but not enough care. Figures published recently by The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) show that hospitalisation for self-harm among people aged 12 to 24 has risen by 43 per cent in 10 years.
But while the jump is disturbing, so too is the hidden number of young people who self-harm but don’t seek help, silent casualties of moral panic and mental health stigma. Ignorance has allowed self-harm to become something ridiculed and taboo, something to talk about in whispers, with cynical sneers. Much is said about self-harm; very little of that is true.
So let's clear up a few misconceptions. Self-harm is not a fashion statement. It is not about exploiting the goodwill of others in order to be noticed. It does not “cause” homicidal behaviour, unless you are a darkly imaginative journalist with a penchant for attention-grabbing sensationalism. Self-harm’s tenuous link to emo (short for “emotional”) comes from the music genre’s lyrics - intimate, confessional - and though they’re certainly an acquired taste, it’s naïve to believe that counterculture is the poison in the well of mainstream society.
Rather, self-harm is a coping mechanism. It is a way of controlling, diverting or communicating overwhelming feelings. (The relationship between self-harm and suicide is complex; in most cases it is not intended to be fatal.)
Teen faces mental health stigma
Caledon Enterprise, Canada 20 June 08
After making the long arduous climb out of depression, 16-year-old Di Sha Phillip wants to extend a hand to others trying to make the same difficult ascent.
The Brampton Centennial Secondary School student is a bright, articulate young woman determined to remove the public stigma that clings to those suffering from mental health disorders and creates a potential obstacle to recovery.
While battling depression, Phillip found stigma stained the way others saw her and even how she viewed herself. Neither perspective aided in getting help or recovering from the emotional fall that landed this teenager in a mental health unit at the local hospital.
Phillip has bravely stepped forward to put a face on mental illness and establish a grassroots organization she has dubbed Students Erasing the Stigma. Her hope is to start youth chapters within local schools to raise awareness about mental health issues and assist troubled students looking for help.
“I’m doing this because I got out of a really bad situation last year with depression and I’ve been involved in the mental health system and I realized there isn’t a lot of youth activism going on, like at a local level, to help people understand mental illness and mental disorders,” she said.
Phillip is a high academic achiever who, at a glance, might seem an unlikely candidate to experience serious mental crisis. However, experts agree mental illness has no regard for intellect, gender, age, race, ethnicity or socio-economic standing. It strikes without discrimination, can be paralyzing and sometimes be fatal.
Last year, Phillip was a Grade 10 student in Turner Fenton Secondary School’s highly regarded International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. The demanding pre-university course challenges the academic and life skills of high school students with the Peel District School Board. Program graduates can access universities all over the world.As depression began to take a firm grasp, other students in the highly competitive IB program started to see her as emotionally weak. She found herself shunned by peers, bullied and the topic of gossip. She has since transferred out of the IB program to Brampton Centennial.
Some schoolmates last year referred to her as an “emo— a popular culture term and stereotype used to sometimes describe someone who can be emotional, introverted, depressed, prone to self-injury and suicidal.
“I didn’t necessarily fit that kind of image, but I was very unhappy,” she admitted. “I did say a lot of negative things about my life, how I didn’t like myself and I didn’t like the way I was and the person I’d become and I guess they kind of didn’t really understand what was going on with me and they kind of started to ostracize me in that way.”
High expectations, academic demands, stress and competition in the program, coupled with her poor self-perception, grandmother’s death and depression eventually led to a nervous breakdown.
“I understood my feelings, but it took me a while to realize what I was feeling was depression and it was a serious mental illness.”
Another Emo suicide
Another troubled teen this time in Hull in an inquest on a suicide in January. The coverage reveals that Evanescence and Slipknot are now emo apparently...
A girl aged 12 who was found hanged in her bedroom had become obsessed with a teenage sub-culture known as “emo”, an inquest was told yesterday.
Rachel Jarvis, a fan of the band My Chemical Romance, died in January, a few days after making a new year’s resolution not to kill herself. She joins a growing list of children whose death has been linked to their involvement with the music and fashion of the angst-ridden cult, whose followers regularly talk of self-harming and suicide.
Girl found hanged in bedroom had become obsessed with ‘emo’ culture
Times Online, UK -
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - does
Hull Daily Mail, UK -
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Sophie Lancaster - Campaign approachs £20,000 mark plus Scottish legislation coming?
Good news regarding the Sophie Campaign sounds like it has a lot of plans:
Sophie Foundation raises £20000 in under a year
Lancashire Telegraph, UK -
AN appeal launched in the wake of the murder of Sophie Lancaster has collected nearly £20,000 in under a year.Sounds like Scots emos and goths may soon be protected!Supporters of the charitable foundation, which is being established in the gap-year student's name, including her mother Sylvia, have now formulated plans for how that money will be spent.
Talks have been held with Hope Hospital, where Sophie was treated after being attacked by a five-strong gang in Stubbylee Park, Bacup, about a suitable donation to benefit future patients.
Sophie, 20, was killed last August after trying to defend her boyfriend Robert Maltby from a gang attack. Five teens, who targeted the ex-Haslingden High pair because they were dressed as Goths, are now serving substantial prison terms.
Hundreds of black wristbands have been sold across Rossendale and beyond and tribute concerts have been staged nationwide by supporters of the alternative music scene, touched by her plight.
The funding generated should also pay for workshops to be staged in schools, colleges and youth clubs to tackle the issues of intolerance and prejudice.
An advice and information service, to help young people and professionals who deal with them, will also be established.
Part of the ongoing fundraising efforts will also see a new clothing range promoted, endorsed by the foundation.
Kate Conboy-Greenwood, a close friend of Sylvia, said: "The campaign is going from strength to strength - there was no way that Sophie was going to be forgotten but we even have been surprised at the amount of things that have been happening.
"Tragedies keep on happening and we are always being asked for advice and help from different people."
Sylvia meanwhile has recently met with Scottish government ministers, over the drafting of legislation designed to deter attacks on marginalised groups.
She is also set to feature in a forthcoming episode of Tonight with Trevor McDonald on ITV, to discuss similar matters.
A bench could be placed outside Haslingden Library, one of Sophie's favourite spots, in her memory.
You can now buy Sophie Tshirts and other stuff online directly at this website:
http://www.backstreet-merch.com/stores/sophielancaster/
Friday, June 13, 2008
Dublin - Another pro Emo March
Congratulations are due to the organizers of another march this time in Ireland:
Teenage fans march to defend US band
Thursday, 12 June 2008
A GROUP of Northside teenagers are organising a
protest march to rebel against media coverage of their favourite band.The
Hartstown teens are staunchly defending My Chemical Romance (MCR), who were was
recently dubbed a ‘suicide cult’ by an English tabloid newspaper.The young
teenagers are furious over media coverage of the suicide of an English
13-year-old MCR fan.But according to Eiblin Malone, the media’s association
between MCR and suicide are “ridiculous”.“Something of the magnitude of suicide
cannot simply be triggered by music,” she told Northside People.“There has to be
other pretty significant reasons and factors which would cause someone to feel
so isolated.”She added: “I find the band and their songs really uplifting. MCR
have some very positive messages for their fans about life and how to get
through the hard times.” The bubbly 17-year-old called on the public to think
“outside the box”.“A lot of people tend to put kids and the types of music they
listen to into certain categories,” the fifth year student explained.“Teenagers
are branded because of the way they dress and act when really people are far
more complex than that.“I wear black but that doesn’t mean I’m depressed. In
fact, I’m often told that I’m a really happy, chirpy person to be around.”...The Hartstown local added: “They are the perfect role models if anything. And they shouldn’t be associated with just teenagers as their fan base varies in age from 10 to 30-year-olds.”The march will kick off from St Stephen’s Green at 1pm on Saturday, June 14.“This march, which another friend Sarah Devine helped to organise, is about much more than MCR,” Jessica said.“It’s about suicide awareness and highlighting the unfair labels attached to teenagers.“We have even invited the Samaritans who we hope will be there on the day collecting money for their charity.”
Teenage fans march to defend US band Dublin Northside People, Ireland
Meanwhile another musician attacked the idea that music causes suicideL
Buzznet caught up with Angels & Airwaves front man and former Blink182 frontman Tom DeLonge today who spoke candidly to the recent MCR controversy (they are being blamed for influencing a teen to commit suicide) that made headlines and whether he believe in the whole "music saves lives" idea and if there's too much responsibility on the musician?
DeLonge: "The same sort of thing happened to me with Blink, so I can understand what it's like to be a part of something like that. We had a victim of the Columbine shootings take his life with our song on repeat. You kinda go through these situations where you blame yourself —but you can't. You have no idea who these people are.
"And My Chemical Romance, they spend a lot of time singing about coming together and there's ingredients of rebellion and angst, but what band doesn't have that when you're young?" - Full interview
Sam Leeson - Evidence gathering of culture of bullying at school
Look at these comments on the bullying going on at Sam's school. :
I have a daughter at Severnvale who was in the same year as Sam, also my
eldest use to go there and they've both said that bullying is definitely going
on more than the school have acknowledged. When it's time for my youngest
daughter to go to secondary school i will certainly not be sending her to
Severnvale. A.Watkins, Whitminster commented on 13-Jun-2008 13:13 Mr Rowland
clearly does not know a thing about what is happening in his own school. My
sister was also bullied for not only liking a different type of music than the
Chavs who rule the school but for also being clever & enjoying school. On a
number of occasions we spoke to different teachers about this and nothing was
done about it. It ended with her own inner strength and standing up for herself
with the help of understanding friends - nothing to do with teachers. Come on Mr
Rowland stand up to the bullies for people who cannot... S. Nicholls, Gloucester
commented on 13-Jun-2008 13:02My last comment went off screen. My daughter is
also into emo culture and goes to Severn Vale School. She is constantly bullied
there and always has been. She said it never gets sorted, if you tell a teacher
the bully may get a one hour detention after school and then they are off again.
She knew Sam and said he had been bullied by Severn Vale pupils particularly on
the bus. Our sincere sympathy to all Sam's family and friends it is a
heartbreaking tragedy.Jane, gloucester commented on 13-Jun-2008 12:03
Quedgeley school plans tribute for tragic Sam.
From the local newspaper.
Other comments:
R.I.P SamAlthough i did not know you, i saw you around school and you
always seemed happy. I throughout a couple of years at Severn Vale was bullied.
I was in that state of mind Sam was, but got through it with friends help. The
problem apparently was not at school but with lads from a different school,
CryptThey apparently threatened him to kill himself, or they would kill him. I
Hope this is investigated down to the full, and mates of sams who know anything
about this please help us.D, Quedgeley Annonymous, Quedgeley, Gloucester
commented on 11-Jun-2008 22:35
My heartfelt sympathies go out to sam's family and friends at this
terrible time.The school really does need to be investigated though as bullying
is commonplace at this school and it is ignored, no matter what some people
might say. My children were both bullied at this school and Mr Rowland turned a
blind eye every time I tried to talk to him about it, he wasnt interested in
anything that would make his school look bad. I eventually removed my children
and placed them elsewhere, my daughter still suffers now from the abuse she
received and is still undergoing counselling to get over it. Gill, Gloucester
commented on 11-Jun-2008 22
I have had 4 children go through their education at Severn Vale with the 2
youngest still at the school and my son was friends with Sam. I would just like
to point out to those of you who are quick to blame the school that the bullying
was NOT taking place on school site, but via the internet and by students from
another local school according to my son and Sam's peers. Students at Severn
Vale (and many of them have commented on here) are extremely happy at Severn
Vale and enjoy fabulous relationships with staff and students alike. It is
totally incorrect to say the school does nothing about bullying. My daughter was
bullied and it was dealt with amazingly well by all the staff particularly Mr
Hunte, Mrs Prescott and Mr Rowland. Their policy is watertight. People really do
need to get their facts straight before being so quick to criticise. Severn Vale
Parent, Gloucester commented on 11-Jun-2008 17:43
I go to Severn Vale school, and to be honest it has shocked me by what they
have said about this. I read a letter today that Sam wasn't a victim of
bullying, and the first thing I thought to myself is "Are you blind?!". Almost
everyone in this school knows he was, they're just trying to protect there
reputation, the whole time I was there thye talked about the high standard they
had, and ofcourse how they promote that they deal with bullys. You don't! You do
flip all to be honest! Sam was a victim of bullying because he dressed
differently, and you failed to see that. Some of The students at your school
have no respect, I know, I see them every day. I hope this has made you think
about how you treat bullying claims from now on. Secondly the Citizen isn't much
better! Your trying to turn the blame onto Emo music, there is nothing wrong
with it, some people just find it easier to releate to. And the quote used by
Mr. Rowland? Stolen from a letter sent out! Rip sam, your in a better place
Jessica, Hardwicke
Did Sam take own life over name calling?
