Weekly Roundup is an update on what’s going on in my world. Welcome!
“What we don’t understand, we fear. What we fear, we judge as evil. What we judge as evil, we attempt to control. And what we cannot control…we attack.” Author unknown.
The above quote is part of the dedication for Traitor’s Moon, my current manuscript. A recent headline reminded me these words are acted out over and over, often ending in tragedy.
Nine-year-old Jamel Myles was found dead of suicide just days after his mom said he came out as gay to his classmates. Myles, who had come out to his family over the summer, reportedly faced significant bullying from his classmates as he began the new school year. “My child died because of bullying. My baby killed himself,” Myles’ mother, Leia Pierce, told the Post. “He didn’t deserve this.”
- I cannot fathom the bravery it took for a nine-year-old to come out.
- I cannot understand the cruelty human beings are capable of.
- I cannot forgive the ignorant parents who raised such monstrous bullies.
- I cannot help but remember when it happened to me.
I endured the name-calling, rejection, social ostracism, and emotional abuse from at least fourth grade through high school. It came from classmates, teachers, and even members of my own family. I covered the pain with sarcasm, anger, and distance, believing if I kept people at arm’s length they couldn’t hurt me. I still catch myself doing the same thing today because some scars never heal.
My ultimate solution was not suicide, but rather a determination to prove all the bullies wrong by being “normal”. I eventually married, had children, and ostensibly lived as a straight man for forty-five years before I had the courage to be myself. While I would have gladly settled for more tolerance when I was younger, and it might have helped young Jamel Myles, I don’t want to simply be tolerated. Would you? I suppose it’s better than being attacked, but that’s still happening too.
Tragically, things really haven’t changed all that much in the last fifty years. Oh how I wish, for all the Jamel’s of this world, things were different.
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Traitor’s Moon – working on chapter eight which will feature a key dramatic turning point in the story. It’s going to be tricky but current feedback tells me I’m on the right track. Word count = 58,000+.
The MOVE – I took two big steps this week, giving notice at work and to my landlord. One month from now I should be arriving in my new home and getting settled in. Until then, I have lots to do!
This was a very heartfelt post. I wish you well in your endeavors, and I hope that all people – regardless of where they sit on the gender and orientation spectrums – will be treated with respect.
I don’t usually share so intimately, but Jamel’s tragic death moved me deeply. Thank you for your kind words!
What a sad,sad ending for such a brave boy. I’m sorry that you had to endure some of what he went through when you were younger, too. I thought it was getting better for gays in our society, but maybe I was wrong. I can only pray that someday every person, straight, gay or just different, will be respected. For such an “enlightened” society, we certainly are a cruel lot. Keep your chin up, you are just fine the way you are.
Yes, I can’t imagine the pain his mother is going through right now. I fear a lot of tolerance is simply political correctness rather than true respect or acceptance. The world needs more folks like you! Thanks for the encouragement.