The memory that is the most vivid to me is an incident that occurred
a few years ago regarding sexual orientation.
One of my son’s childhood friends “came out” in high school.
He was very well-liked, popular and active in the school. Most of the students
didn’t change their attitudes toward him after he announced his sexual
orientation. He was also a very good friend of my niece. They were both in
gymnastics and on the cheer leading squad and hung out a lot. The young man (“Jason”)
joined my niece at a party one evening and encountered other young men who were
very prejudice toward gays.
My niece had very innocently taken a hat from another young
man at the party and placed it on Jason’s head. This set off a fury of verbal
assaults on Jason and within seconds four boys had attacked and beat Jason to
the point that he underwent months of reconstructive surgery. The four boys
spent some time in jail, but this did not change their views on homosexuality.
They still view homosexuality as abnormal and inferior; and a great deal of
people share their view. People see LGBT as wrong and sick, but who is to say
what is right and what is wrong? I am personally heterosexual, but I have
friends who are homosexual and they are some of the most amazing, giving, kind
people I have ever met.
This incident affected Jason a great deal, however, he has
moved on—he finished college, completed an internship in fashion merchandising
in New York City, is now working in Dallas and seems to be doing well.
I remember feeling outraged when I heard about the incident.
I knew one of the boys who helped with the beating. He was a very good friend
of my oldest son and he had even lived with us for a while when his mother was
going through a rough time. We had brought him into our home and treated him as
our own. It broke my heart to hear he was involved in the beating. I never knew
this side of him.
In order for change to occur in regards to homosexuality (or
any other -ism), we as human beings need to quit stigmatizing those who are not
exactly like us, and accept the differences. No two people are exactly alike
and that is a good thing. We are not robots walking around, we are all human
beings with our own likes, dislikes and beliefs and difference is okay.
3 comments:
Thank you for sharing, Crystal. That is truly ashame that something like that happened! I have heard of hate crimes occuring but have never known anyone that was involved. It is mind blowing to me that anyone would ever hurt someone so bad over something they don't agree with. I also think it is unique and special that no 2 people are the same. It is what keeps the world going. Did this situation affect your niece mentally and emotionally? I can't imagine witnessing something like that!!
Caitlin
Thank you for sharing .It is painful to know that people can judge other negatively just because they are different in their orientation. I never imagine that people can react in such a cruel way and hurt that boy to this degree. What really made me feel glad is to know that he completed his college and moved on; he would not let this situation to put him down and affect his life. Great post
What a horrific ordeal for your family. I cannot imagine how betrayed you must have felt when you found out that the very boy who you had opened your home and heart up to had assisted in your son's beating.
We definitely need to discuss differences to bring change.
Post a Comment