To the parents of Itawamba, MS high school who were involved in the "fake prom" hoax, I just want to say that I hope you rot in hell.
The energy and time that went into the planning and execution of creating a 'fake' prom for just seven students AND setting up a "real" prom at another location -- is nothing short of pure evil.
As a parent of of a child who was bullied, I was physically sick when I read the latest news about Constance McMillen. My beautiful, funny and brave daughter was bullied so severely, it has taken years just to get her to smile again. My daughter is tough and she is healing. But as a mother, I cannot fathom being part of a cruel hoax like the "fake prom"!
Thankfully, Constance McMillen has class and more character than all of the Itawamba bullies combined. My fellow Huffington Post contributor Candace Gingrich writes:
When asked about whether the students enjoyed the prom she told The Advocate "They had the time of their lives," McMillen says. "That's the one good thing that come out of this, [these kids] didn't have to worry about people making fun of them [at their prom]."
It is ironic that the news of the "fake prom" comes on the heels of nine teens being charged with stalking, criminal harassment and violating Phoebe Prince's civil rights after 15-year old Phoebe committed suicide due to bullying. How many children have to be hurt or die?
Obviously, the normal standards of human decency do not apply to the parents who helped create a "fake prom." It's clear that these adults do not know right from wrong.
So I'll wrap up with a quote from Edmund Burke:
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
The world is watching you, Itawamba parents.
[Photo: Thanks to Firedog Lake for providing photos of the private "real" prom from Itawamba]
Follow Michelle Lamar on Twitter: www.twitter.com/michellelamar
Helping Kids Deal With Bullies
Bullying - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
It's My Life . Friends . Bullies | PBS Kids GO!
Stop Bullying Now! » Home Page
Bullying Infomation Center | Education.com
Three more teens arraigned on charges related to alleged bullying of Phoebe Prince
3 girls in Mass. bullying case plead not guilty
Josie Lou Ratley, Michael Brewer Attacks Spur Broward County Anti-Bullying ...
There's No Place for Bullying at Work: The Innovators
Granholm renews call for passage of anti-bullying legislation
Now I pity them. They don't know the myriad wonderful people they are missing out on. They don't know how much brighter life is when you're not consumed by fear of the Other.
At a party, a friend of this woman came up to me and we began talking. After a few minutes he said, "Hey, I hope you don't mind me saying, but I thought you were gay."
I said, "Why would you think that?"
He responded by saying, "Well, you're just a really nice guy."
That straight man's indictment of his fellow heterosexuals never made since to me...until now.
This kind of behavior is being encouraged by these anti-gay bans throughout the country. Bigots are emboldened by government-sanctioned discrimination.
Make no mistake about it. This is a direct result of the meanspirited hate campaigns such as that of Prop 8.
"People hate gay people because the government tells them to." - Larry Kramer
Happy trails, Peter."
Your denying hate is not a primary factor in the culture war against gay people is simply unbelievable, especially in light of this story and Ms. Lamar's piece.
You simply CHOOSE to ignore it and deny it because you are not on the receiving end of it.
Again, your callous dismissal speaks volumes about your true attitudes towards gay people.
Its sad its even an issue. This is just another case of people trying to deliberately force their beliefs on others, and in one of the most vulgar ways. The poor girl already has enough to deal with emotionally, simply being of a different sexual orientation than everyone there so why add more? Its not like its going to make her any less homosexual. Do they think someone really chooses to be homosexual? A person deliberately chooses a lifestyle where you are constantly ridiculed and and judged based on who you are attracted to, I seriously doubt it although I cannot vouch for it because I'm not homosexual.
I'm just a rational human being who believes people are equals, it's a shame that this isn't always true.
These parents and school officials who set up and lured these kids to this fake prom....they claim to be Christians correct? Certainly in the group of children who attended the non-fake prom there are parents employed by the school, parents who serve as officers and deacons or more in local churches.
If this is an example of the Christian faith in practice and its principals then I want no part of it. My word what a horrible example of discrimination, pettiness and spite to have displayed to ones children.
Apparently for them the Bible reads....and the meek shall inherit a fake prom and malicious acts.
For a child and teenager I thought Christianity and school were there to inspire and lift up...not to marginalize, belittle and tear down.
Shame on you...shame an you all. I hope the stain of what you conspired to do and did never washes from your hands and your soul.
Christian = Christ-like
Even at Christ's Last Supper he invited his deniers and his betrayer.
Itwiygul@itawamba.k12.ms.us
I am sure he would like to hear from everyone.
Adults are supposed to be more mature than the kids, but these parents are playing right into the "Mean Girls" approach to raising their kids to realize that they live in a world full of many people different from them.
Or even better....................................... Ashton, have you ever Punked almost 100% of a town at once?