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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMatthew Shepard's mom: Romney’s prank was ‘an act of torment’
Judy Shepard, whose son was murdered for being gay, blasted Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney for allegedly harassing prep school classmates he judged to be too effeminate.
While this may seem like an innocent prank to some, it was an act of torment against a child for being different, Shepard said. Her son Matthew was kidnapped and brutally murdered in 1998. We expect the people we elect to be leaders in the charge against bullying so that all students are afforded the right to learn and grow in an environment free of fear. This incident calls into question whether Mitt Romney can be an advocate for the nations most vulnerable children.
A Washington Post article published on Thursday described how Romney and his friends pinned down a fellow classmate, John Lauber, and cut his hair with scissors. Romney had complained that it was wrong for the boy, who was often teased and accused of being gay, to have such long hair.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/05/10/mother-of-murdered-gay-son-romneys-prank-was-an-act-of-torment/
hlthe2b
(102,359 posts)yellerpup
(12,254 posts)Just ask yourself her question and the answer is clear. Romney can't even advocate for himself effectively and bullied kids certainly can't count on a bully to protect them.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)And it was terrorism. People that have not dealt with youth who have been done this way think it's funny. At least some of them. I never would.
There is something profoundly wrong with those who call this a prank, IMHO, although I'm glad some have learned, like Maxwell. There are boundaries we do not cross when we respect another person's right to exist without being punished for being different. Until we get there in this country for all our citizens (and our non-citizens), we will continue to feed into the hate and misery that will destroy us all.
I applaud Mrs. Shepherd for speaking about this kind of emotional and physical terrorism meted out by those who relish the pain of others. There are a lot of walking wounded in this country who have been beaten down and we wonder why they are not financially successful or make some poor choices. The ones who tormented them in some cases to the death, are often not punished.
Mc Mike
(9,115 posts)If he has a weapon and a pack of like minded thugs around him, he's tough enough to attack an 'effeminate' younger student.
If he is called to serve his country in a war he backed, he runs off to France to teach them 'morals'. True grit.