Hate Crime?

It was just another day of school on February 12th at Oxnard Junior High in California until an event occurred after first period which now leaves the school in shambles. Lawrence King, a 15 year old student had been shot at least twice in the head by a fellow student, 14, whose name is being withheld due to his age. Yesterday afternoon this poor young boy was declared brain dead yet he is still alive due to possible organ donations.

All school shootings are of course horrible, traumatic, and scar the students involved or around the event. Yet there is something about this case that really grinded my gears. According to students Lawrence was a homosexual whom was very open about his sexual orientation. One student stated that he wore make up, high heels, and women’s apparel to school which apparently did not sit well with his male peers.

Me being a fifteen year old and having to endure the torturous middle school years knows first hand that bullying is a tremendous element in the school setting. I personally had to endure cruel comments being that I am a red head which makes me ‘different’ than the ‘cool kids’. Studies show that 77% of students claim to have been bullied either mentally, emotionally, or physically. The chances of being bullied increase 5 times if the victim of this abuse is gay.

Currently the student is being held in a Juvenile hall and hopefully he will be charged with murder as an adult which could give him a sentence of fifty years to life. If it is found that this is indeed a hate crime the penalty is of course escalated.

I find it necessary to speak out for Lawrence King being that he can no longer speak for himself. I want to speak out in behalf of ALL victims of bullying whom have experienced serious reactions due to bullying. I used to be a self inflicter, or a cutter, due to the torment I experienced at school. IT IS OK FOR YOU TO BE WHO YOU ARE! Be different, be proud, be happy, you are who you are and do not let anyone change you.

Lawrence King was who he was, a happy and out teenager whom did not care what people thought. Unfortunately there are psychos in this world who bring guns to school. Lawrence was in himself a hero of some sort, an icon or perhaps a symbol to all of the children in the World who are scared to stand up for who they are. Bullies have one purpose only and that is to see their victim break down. In reality, they are the weak people whom have to make others feel bad to make themselves feel good.

Either way I can go on and on with this article but I think I’m going to stop here. This boy has impacted me and I know he does not know it but he is indirectly helping so many children stand up for who they are.

Source: LA Times