Being Somebody
Survival in an Age of Violence
by Missy Beattie
Another school shooting. Another candlelight vigil. On Monday, October 21st, a Nevada teacher was murdered and two 12-year-old boys were wounded. The shooter, described as a “nice kid,†killed himself at the scene.
Student Amaya Newton said, “I believe it was because I saw him getting bullied a couple of times and I think he took out his bullying.â€
Another student reported that the shooter said, “You ruined my life and now I’m going to ruin yours.â€
Just a few days before, Erma, Laura, and I sat in my living room, talking about 12-year-old Rebecca Sedwick who jumped to her death last month after she was bullied. Guadalupe Shaw, 14, and Katelyn Roman, 12, have been charged with felony aggravated stalking.
On Shaw’s Facebook page was a post her parents and her attorneys insist is evidence of a hacked account. The Shaws maintain that their daughter would never have written, “Yes, IK (I know) I bullied REBECCA nd (and) she killed her self but IDGAF (I don’t give a fuck).â€
Erma said, “I am Rebecca Sedwick.†And she cried. (more…)