About

Hello,

Welcome to “One Human Family considers Bullying Prevention” a project sponsored by the Knowles House Historic Key West bed and breakfast and  co-sponsored by Frangipani Gallery.  The purpose of this site is to call attention to the issue of bullying and the serious effects that has on our society.

“One Human Family” is the official motto of Key West.  Our motto means that “all people everywhere are entitled at birth to equal rights, dignity and respect; and lives that are free from prejudice, discrimination, harassment or violence.”

Visit Key West and you will see first hand how our beautiful island is one of the most diverse, worldly and accepting communities in the United States.   Embracing the slogan of “One Human Family” only seems fitting on this secluded island that has a rich tradition of making everyone feel welcome and at home.

Recently there was a troubling article in our local paper from a mother informing the editor about bullying incidents her son has experienced for being openly gay at his high school.

The mother of the 17-year-old student told reporter that the school administrators are “just trying to make it go away, try and make it less than what it was. At the time, my son was telling me he wanted to die and I take that very seriously.”

Here are a few of the articles on the situation:

Mom: My son was bullied, schools playing it down

harassment and bullying in Florida Keys schools

Bullying in our schools is a serious problem that is being addressed at the national level.   Last year alone, close to a dozen children in the U.S. who were victims of bullying in school committed suicide.  The youngest, Tori Blair Wilson from Palestine, Texas was only eight years old.

A call to action for a comprehensive national effort to address bullying has been made through the U.S. Department of Education’s Bullying Summit.

Comments from past Summits include:

“When children feel threatened, they can not learn”.

“Bullying affects not only the child or children it targets, but the entire community that surrounds them – their parents, their classmates, even the child engaging in the bullying,”

“Keeping our children safe is everyone’s responsibility, and I’m proud to come together with so many national leaders, parents, teachers and students to reaffirm our collective commitment to prevent bullying in every way possible.”

As the digital age has substantially expanded the ability to intensify and prolong bullying through social networks and personal electronic devices, the summit’s goal of engaging governmental and nongovernmental partners in crafting a national strategy to reduce and end bullying needs critical assessment and improvements in transparency.

Assistant Deputy Secretary Jennings from the Dept of Education stated: “Bullying behavior is not only troubling in and of itself but if left unaddressed, can quickly escalate into harassment, violence and tragedies…We hope this summit will help us get ahead of the game by focusing on prevention and doing everything we can to bring this plague to an end.”

The problems that emerge from cyberbullying have grown to the point that it has become a legislative issues.  In light of the January 2010 suicide death of Massachusetts teen, Pheobe Prince, state legislatures have passed a law that now makes cyber bullying a crime.

Buffalo teen  Jamey Rodemeyer also took his own life after being tormented for the past 12 months by cyberbullies making disparaging comments with gay references on his Formspring account, a website that allows anonymous posts.

Jamey, a 14-year old student at Williamsville North High School sent out many signals on social networking sites that he was struggling with his sexuality.   Although he encouraged others through his YouTube videos, thanking Lady Gaga for supporting the gay community and told the viewers, “Love yourself and you’re set. … I promise you, it will get better”, things did not get better for Jamey.

Friends reported the bullying to guidance counselors.  But everyone, including his parents, thought he had grown more confident.

On Sept. 8th, Jamey wrote, “No one in my school cares about preventing suicide, while you’re the ones calling me [gay slur] and tearing me down,” He said the next day: “I always say how bullied I am, but no one listens. … What do I have to do so people will listen to me?”

The special victims unit is looking into the circumstances prior to Jamey’s death.   No bullying laws exist in New York State, so the local police must consider whether aggravated harassment charges fit this case.

Jamey’s mother told the Buffalo News, “He touched so many hearts, so many people. I didn’t realize how many people he touched. He was the sweetest, kindest kid you’d ever know. He would give all his heart to you before he gave any to himself.”

“One Human Family considers Bullying Prevention” hopes to illustrate how the global community spirit of Key West supports the   dynamics of collective consciousness and promotes views of humanity in which peace is possible.

In addition to “One Human Family considers Bullying Prevention”, the Knowles  House hosts the blog “A Key West Fan” to inform the public on upcoming events and things to do in Key West.

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