Prop 8 Talk

Writing this article has been more challenging then I thought it would. I was first introduced to the “FCKH8″ campaign when it came across my Facebook page. After watching the viral video I was ready to jump on, buy the T-shirt and sport it around Portland, Oregon with pride and an attitude that resonated the slogan.

Then I watched it again. I realized the people in the video have gone through some nightmares that most of us could not even compare too or imagine.

I watched this video five times, and finally came to the conclusion that the message being delivered in this video was being covered up by the explosive cussing, and the shocking use of the children conveying the slogan its self. In my opinion this video has a great message, but it is another means to keep the cycle of hate rotating.

I wanted another opinion on the video and my mixed emotions, while debating if the main message of the video gets over washed by the passionate feelings through verbal expression, it was brought to my attention that there is another video that has gone viral as well.

This video is in response to the “FCKH8″ slogan. In this new video you see City councilman Joel Burns of Fort Worth, Texas sitting on the bench asking for permission to bring light to a very hot topic right now on teen suicide brought on by bullying that is triggered by homosexuality.

Councilman Joel Burns list off names and ages of teens across the country who are committing suicide at an alarming rate. LGBT teens are 30-40% more likely to commit suicide then straight teens. (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-, and Transgender)

Many actors are speaking up as well, Daniel Radcliff from the Harry Potter films, President Obama, and many more are pleading with kids to just wait out the tough times they are facing while in high school. Saying it does get better, once you are out of high school there are many diverse groups just waiting to with open arms to show you life will not always be filled with so much anger, fear that breeds into hate.

In retrospect on this topic I find it to be imperative to teach all at the earliest of ages that the only thing that anger and hate can bring is heart ache and broken dreams, and at its worst shattered lives. It saddens me to think these kids have to wait out there high school lives in order to be seen as human beings, but if this can keep them alive, and keep parents from finding the bodies of their children who could not handle the burden placed upon them by others who are willing to be unacceptable of alternate lifestyles then please………. Life does get better!

By Alena Dawn Brown http://innerpeaceplease.wordpress.com/