Photo
May 08, 2012
5,071 notes
nuestrahermana: foreverliberal: The article is here.  Sign the petition here. Don’t Expel Bullied Gay Teen!  Darnell “Dynasty” Young has been bullied for months — it has sometimes gotten so bad that he has thought about suicide.  His mother contacted the school but instead of taking appropriate action, asked Darnell to “tone down” his accessories. That is victim blaming.  Not knowing what to do, his mother sent him to school with a stun gun because he didn’t feel safe. On April 16, 6 students surrounded him threatening violence. He pulled out the stun gun and raised it in the air, setting off an electric charge. He did not use it on anyone — he simply scared them away, protecting himself.  Young was soon arrested and taken away in handcuffs. He is now facing expulsion from the school. Please tell Arsenal Technical High School to not expel Young — who hurt no one and was just trying to protect himself — and to change their school’s bullying policy to offer more protection for LGBT youth. No one should feel unsafe at school! — Brittany  Please re-blog and actually sign it. There is an option for your name NOT to be displayed online so, your safety is not an issue :) Petitions like this can in fact change the usual course of action… The petition at the link has a picture of a light complected, blonde haired person hunched over. Can the author of the petition change it and put the really face of the victim on the petition? There are so many implications that the default is of a white kid. If we are really gonna talk about this, lets talk about the fact that this is a gay black youth, (who was perhaps perceived as too femme since he was asked to tone down his accessories?), who is being threatened and harassed. This goes way beyond a LGBTQ issue. Once those changes are made, I’ll be happy to distribute it to my networks and encourage people to sign it.

nuestrahermana:

foreverliberal:

The article is here.  Sign the petition here.

Don’t Expel Bullied Gay Teen! 

Darnell “Dynasty” Young has been bullied for months — it has sometimes gotten so bad that he has thought about suicide. 

His mother contacted the school but instead of taking appropriate action, asked Darnell to “tone down” his accessories. That is victim blaming. 

Not knowing what to do, his mother sent him to school with a stun gun because he didn’t feel safe. On April 16, 6 students surrounded him threatening violence. He pulled out the stun gun and raised it in the air, setting off an electric charge. He did not use it on anyone — he simply scared them away, protecting himself. 

Young was soon arrested and taken away in handcuffs. He is now facing expulsion from the school.

Please tell Arsenal Technical High School to not expel Young — who hurt no one and was just trying to protect himself — and to change their school’s bullying policy to offer more protection for LGBT youth. No one should feel unsafe at school!

— Brittany 

Please re-blog and actually sign it. There is an option for your name NOT to be displayed online so, your safety is not an issue :) Petitions like this can in fact change the usual course of action…

The petition at the link has a picture of a light complected, blonde haired person hunched over. Can the author of the petition change it and put the really face of the victim on the petition? There are so many implications that the default is of a white kid. If we are really gonna talk about this, lets talk about the fact that this is a gay black youth, (who was perhaps perceived as too femme since he was asked to tone down his accessories?), who is being threatened and harassed. This goes way beyond a LGBTQ issue.

Once those changes are made, I’ll be happy to distribute it to my networks and encourage people to sign it.

(via queerandpresentdanger)

Tags: gay poc bullying

Photo
April 09, 2012
276 notes
goldenheartedrose: tide-and-wave: tide-and-wave: SO FUCKING LIVID. I redact any support I had for the film “Bully”. Here’s why: if you can’t read this, everything written in the above conversation, I’m writing below. Basically, I posted this on their wall. These are the responses I got.: Me (Natty Catty Nat): I am deeply disappointed that you chose to erase Tyler’s autism from the film. The reality is, for the member of the autistic community, that we face bullying simply for existing because we’re different. As an autistic person, I redact my support from your film for erasing a cruel reality of many autistic people’s lives. This is upsetting to me, because I was originally in full support of this film and considering seeing it. Not anymore. (2 people like this) Joe: The Movie is about bullying and it’s effects on those that are targeted, people are bullied for a variety of reasons, it is up to us to get out there and educate those around us about Autism, it is not a movie about Autism. I have personal experience with watching a loved one get bullied because of having Autism Spectrum Disorder so I have lots of sympathy for those who are dissapointed that it is not highlighted in the film, but the main focus must be to get the word out regarding bullying so that action can take place socially within our society in the schools, government and in our communities. In doing this hopefully the more vunerable like those with autism will have more protection. Yours is not the first comment I have read being dissapointed the movie did not focus on Autism, I hope you can support the movie Lin: suggestion,make a documentary about autism,i would go see it,my grandson has it,joe!question here is,was Tyler included because he was autistic,or because he was bullied,that’s a question only Lee Hirsch can answer…autistm has a worldwide support group finally(thank god) where is our worldwide group to spread the word on antibullying?we need one! Lin: Lee,a suggestion lets do a documentary on autism! Bully: Just as you experienced bullying because of your autism, millions of other kids experience bullying for a variety of different reasons. This is a film about bullying, not about autism. We have many partners who we are working with who are promoting autism awareness in our efforts, such as autism speaks. If you think omitting tyler’s autism from the film takes away from its message, that no matter what card one was dealt in their life, whether it be a neurodevelopmental disorder or a sexual preference for example, they should be provided with a school environment that is safe and supportive in this country, then so be it. Natty Catty Nat (me): It isn’t okay to erase his autism, considering the it was the traits of his autism that got him bullied. Your film may be about bullying, but that doesn’t mean you’re required to erase a core reason why someone was bullied. It wouldn’t take away the message of the film. Your erasure of his autism makes it into something shameful, and in that right, you’re no better than those who bullied him. Also note: Autism Speaks is a horrible organization that promotes fear-mongering over autism, rather than acceptance. They do not speak for autistics. In short, this was their response to me: PORTRAYING AUTISM TAKES AWAY FROM THE FILM. IT’S ALL HUNKY DORY BECAUSE WE’RE SUPPORTING TO AUTISM SPEAKS. GUYS I’M SO MAD I COULD SCREAM. My post is here. Reblogging this again because holy shit they are just NOT. GETTING IT. I don’t feel like taking another screencap of this conversation, but wowwww, fuck this guy, this is the comment that he left (and if you want proof, go to the link). Joe: Autism is not shameful , would you people stop stop saying this, the movie does not say this. Stop getting on a soap box about an issue and support the movie. We can educate about Autism and people are doing this. We need to help stop bullying by going to see this movie and spreading the word, knock it off and stop being so foolish! In short, fuck everything having to do with this film. Now I’m even more angry. It goes to show how LITTLE the filmmakers understand about bullying. That they couldn’t even think to address the intersections of how they’re related is such bullshit. IF YOU WANT TO END BULLYING, GET RID OF NEGATIVE PERCEPTIONS AROUND DISABILITIES. THAT’S WHERE THE WORK NEEDS TO BE.

goldenheartedrose:

tide-and-wave:

tide-and-wave:

SO FUCKING LIVID. I redact any support I had for the film “Bully”. Here’s why: if you can’t read this, everything written in the above conversation, I’m writing below. Basically, I posted this on their wall. These are the responses I got.:

Me (Natty Catty Nat): I am deeply disappointed that you chose to erase Tyler’s autism from the film. The reality is, for the member of the autistic community, that we face bullying simply for existing because we’re different. As an autistic person, I redact my support from your film for erasing a cruel reality of many autistic people’s lives. This is upsetting to me, because I was originally in full support of this film and considering seeing it. Not anymore.

(2 people like this)

Joe: The Movie is about bullying and it’s effects on those that are targeted, people are bullied for a variety of reasons, it is up to us to get out there and educate those around us about Autism, it is not a movie about Autism. I have personal experience with watching a loved one get bullied because of having Autism Spectrum Disorder so I have lots of sympathy for those who are dissapointed that it is not highlighted in the film, but the main focus must be to get the word out regarding bullying so that action can take place socially within our society in the schools, government and in our communities. In doing this hopefully the more vunerable like those with autism will have more protection. Yours is not the first comment I have read being dissapointed the movie did not focus on Autism, I hope you can support the movie

Lin: suggestion,make a documentary about autism,i would go see it,my grandson has it,joe!question here is,was Tyler included because he was autistic,or because he was bullied,that’s a question only Lee Hirsch can answer…autistm has a worldwide support group finally(thank god) where is our worldwide group to spread the word on antibullying?we need one!

Lin: Lee,a suggestion lets do a documentary on autism!

Bully: Just as you experienced bullying because of your autism, millions of other kids experience bullying for a variety of different reasons. This is a film about bullying, not about autism. We have many partners who we are working with who are promoting autism awareness in our efforts, such as autism speaks. If you think omitting tyler’s autism from the film takes away from its message, that no matter what card one was dealt in their life, whether it be a neurodevelopmental disorder or a sexual preference for example, they should be provided with a school environment that is safe and supportive in this country, then so be it.

Natty Catty Nat (me): It isn’t okay to erase his autism, considering the it was the traits of his autism that got him bullied. Your film may be about bullying, but that doesn’t mean you’re required to erase a core reason why someone was bullied. It wouldn’t take away the message of the film. Your erasure of his autism makes it into something shameful, and in that right, you’re no better than those who bullied him.

Also note: Autism Speaks is a horrible organization that promotes fear-mongering over autism, rather than acceptance. They do not speak for autistics.

In short, this was their response to me:

  1. PORTRAYING AUTISM TAKES AWAY FROM THE FILM.
  2. IT’S ALL HUNKY DORY BECAUSE WE’RE SUPPORTING TO AUTISM SPEAKS.

GUYS I’M SO MAD I COULD SCREAM.

My post is here.

Reblogging this again because holy shit they are just NOT. GETTING IT. I don’t feel like taking another screencap of this conversation, but wowwww, fuck this guy, this is the comment that he left (and if you want proof, go to the link).

Joe: Autism is not shameful , would you people stop stop saying this, the movie does not say this. Stop getting on a soap box about an issue and support the movie. We can educate about Autism and people are doing this. We need to help stop bullying by going to see this movie and spreading the word, knock it off and stop being so foolish!


In short, fuck everything having to do with this film.


Now I’m even more angry.

It goes to show how LITTLE the filmmakers understand about bullying. That they couldn’t even think to address the intersections of how they’re related is such bullshit. IF YOU WANT TO END BULLYING, GET RID OF NEGATIVE PERCEPTIONS AROUND DISABILITIES. THAT’S WHERE THE WORK NEEDS TO BE.

(Source: autisticweirdo, via karnythia)

Tags: bullying autism disability

Text
January 03, 2012
11 notes

How the American Education System and Juvinile Justice System affects youth with disabilities

Because sometimes media coverage is needed for people to give a damn.

School Absenteeism, Mental Health Problems Linked

Students who miss a lot of school often have symptoms of psychiatric disorders, according to a new study.

The study of more than 17,000 children found that a high rate of absenteeism is linked to a higher prevalence of mental health problems later on in adolescence.

The research also found that mental health problems during one year predict missing additional school days in the following year for students in middle and high school.

Read more

After Jail, Youth With Disabilities Need Special Support to Stay Out

Some common practices the report found in states with programs intended to reduce recidivism for these young people include: a continuum of supports for youth that begins in prison and keeps going once they leave; transition facilitators or coordinators who are dedicated to working with these youth; and programs for reentering society that are comprehensive, addressing education, employment, social and behavioral skills, mental health, substance-abuse issues, housing, and transportation. Another common theme in the report? Budget problems often keep these programs from going long-term.

Read More

Bullying of Students with Disabilities Puts School Districts on the Defensive


While you might think that students with physical disabilities, students who are on the autism spectrum and with other needs might have protections against bullying, a recent case in Maryland underscores that this is not so. According to EdWeek, Jonathan Brice, school support network officer for Baltimore city schools, says that one-quarter of students who are bullied in the system are special education students. Earlier this year, Edmund and Shawna Sullivan sued their Maryland school district and two principals, charging that they had failed to address the bullying of their then-8-year-old son. He had suffered a traumatic brain injury when he was only 13 weeks old; the bullying he endured was such that he had to be placed in a psychiatric institution.

Read more

Tags: students public education disability disabilities students with disabilities autism bullying mental health physical disabilities study news

Link
November 15, 2011
51 notes
[TW: Bullying, abuse, ableism, denial.] Teacher Caught on Tape Bullying A Student With A Disability

quelola:

[TW: Bullying, abuse, ableism, denial.]

Video at source as well.

It’s a powerful thing that people are as angry about this as I am. There are a couple of things worth mentioning that I think could lead to some more great discussion. Here are some facts about bullying:

  • bullying is the most common form of violence
  • since 1992 there have been at least 250 violent deaths in school and almost all of them related to being bullied
  • 25% of teachers see nothing wrong with being bullied
  • students with disabilities are more likely to be bullied, more likely to miss school because of the bullying and more likely to do poorly in school because of bullying
  • the drop-out rate among students with disabilities is almost 2x as much as the “general” population, another source said 85% of students dropping out have some sort of disability

There’s a lot of other information out there that paints a clear picture of discrepancy among services to students with and without disabilities in the public school system. This case of this teacher being a bully is not uncommon. Teachers are trained very little on how to address the needs of various populations. I spoke with a California teacher who told me they maybe got about a day’s worth of training. Not only that, but schools fail to teach about the history of people with disabilities in schools which only leads to more stigma and negative treatment. It is also really necessary to say that this young person was targeted because she is someone with a disability. I have a firm belief that administrators and staff would rather not value the voice of a child than address the issue with the teacher and have to face a union. The perception that people have about disability enables abuse and creates a system of oppression for folx with disabilities. I want to take the focus off the teacher, which is were a lot of the discussion has been, and focus on the larger issue of how our school system is failing (it’s failing everyone-honestly) people with disabilities in particular.

Here’s the site on addressing bullying among students with disabilities, including all the articles I got the above facts from. Own My Power Campaign

Tags: bullying school people with disabilities education.

Link
November 15, 2011
51 notes
[TW: Bullying, abuse, ableism, denial.] Teacher Caught on Tape Bullying A Student With A Disability

[TW: Bullying, abuse, ableism, denial.]

Video at source as well.

Tags: bullying teacher abuse people with disabilities youth with disabilities

Photo
November 11, 2011
36 notes
quelola: [TW: Treats, privilege denial -I’m fairly new at tw’ing so please let me know if there something else I should add.] [Image Description: Screenshot of a tweet from @BuckAngel. That reads “@LaGrosera so your calling me classist and racist-that is so fucking ridiculous-and spreading crap like that can get you in trouble”.] Really? REALLY? After I tweeted some shit to him he decided to not address anything and derail the conversation by focusing on what I’m calling him. More than anything, I am just leaving this here as another way to document this. THIS FUCKER REALLY THINK HE GON SCARE ME?! Can whoever his people are really come get him right now though. PS: I just want to point this shit out clearly for folx. A lot of you will get this but some of you may not and I expect those of you who don’t to come at me and I’m ready for that. This is misogyny at work. This is oppression at work. This is racism at work. This is derailing at work. This is white supremacy at work. THIS IS PRIVILEGE AND POWER AT WORK. Me though, I’m a fucking animal at work all day everyday so more than anything right now I’m in fight back mode with my chancla in my hand.

quelola:

[TW: Treats, privilege denial -I’m fairly new at tw’ing so please let me know if there something else I should add.]

[Image Description: Screenshot of a tweet from @BuckAngel. That reads “@LaGrosera so your calling me classist and racist-that is so fucking ridiculous-and spreading crap like that can get you in trouble”.]

Really? REALLY?

After I tweeted some shit to him he decided to not address anything and derail the conversation by focusing on what I’m calling him.

More than anything, I am just leaving this here as another way to document this.

THIS FUCKER REALLY THINK HE GON SCARE ME?!

Can whoever his people are really come get him right now though.

PS: I just want to point this shit out clearly for folx. A lot of you will get this but some of you may not and I expect those of you who don’t to come at me and I’m ready for that. This is misogyny at work. This is oppression at work. This is racism at work. This is derailing at work. This is white supremacy at work. THIS IS PRIVILEGE AND POWER AT WORK.

Me though, I’m a fucking animal at work all day everyday so more than anything right now I’m in fight back mode with my chancla in my hand.

Tags: buck angel buck angel is a bully buck angel's privilege bullying KBURD

Photo
November 11, 2011
36 notes
[TW: Treats, privilege denial -I’m fairly new at tw’ing so please let me know if there something else I should add.] [Image Description: Screenshot of a tweet from @BuckAngel. That reads “@LaGrosera so your calling me classist and racist-that is so fucking ridiculous-and spreading crap like that can get you in trouble”.] Really? REALLY? After I tweeted some shit to him he decided to not address anything and derail the conversation by focusing on what I’m calling him. More than anything, I am just leaving this here as another way to document this. THIS FUCKER REALLY THINK HE GON SCARE ME?! Can whoever his people are really come get him right now though.

[TW: Treats, privilege denial -I’m fairly new at tw’ing so please let me know if there something else I should add.]

[Image Description: Screenshot of a tweet from @BuckAngel. That reads “@LaGrosera so your calling me classist and racist-that is so fucking ridiculous-and spreading crap like that can get you in trouble”.]

Really? REALLY?

After I tweeted some shit to him he decided to not address anything and derail the conversation by focusing on what I’m calling him.

More than anything, I am just leaving this here as another way to document this.

THIS FUCKER REALLY THINK HE GON SCARE ME?!

Can whoever his people are really come get him right now though.

Tags: buck angel buck angel is a bully buck angel's privilege bullying KBURD

Link
August 06, 2011
4 notes
OWN MY POWER YOUTH SUMMIT KICK OFF TO ANTI-BULLYING CAMPAIGN

The Own My Power Youth Summit will launch YO! Disabled & Proud’s anti-bullying campaign during the weekend of September 16th to 18th, at Sierra Health Foundation’s Grizzly Creek Ranch in Portola (CA). At this summit, youth will come together to discuss bullying, share their experiences and create an organizing plan to bring the Own My Power campaign to their schools and communities. Grizzly Creek Ranch is an accessible camp and participants will enjoy a real camp experience, including a campfire!

SIGNAL BOOST!!!! This summit is geared toward youth with disabilities and allies. Apply at the link above. I will be there! This Ranch is awesome because it is fully accessible!!! Also it’s freeeee!

Tags: allies bullying camp campaign disabilities disability pride disability rights disabled and proud free income low-income no income organize power signal boost summit youth california bay area portola grizzy creek ranch

Video
August 04, 2011
85 notes

FULLY ACCESSIBLE VIDEO ON WHY TEACHING DISABILITY HISTORY IS IMPORTANT! DIRECTLY FROM YOUTH WHO CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR DISABILITY HISTORY TO BE TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS IN CALIFORNIA! WATCH/LOVE/ REBLOG!

Tags: I'm excited disability history disability pride youth youth with disabilities video bullying discrimination equality education