Jamey Rodemeyer’s Family Speaks Out About Bullying
Monday, October 03, 2011 5:31AM
Just a few weeks ago, after years of being bullied by classmates, taunted and teased for his sexuality, 14-year-old Jamey Rodemeyer took his own life outside of his suburban home in Buffalo.
According to Jamey’s family, the 9th grader had been teased since he was in the 5th grade. “He would come home crying and we would have to talk to him… sometimes on a daily basis,” says his mother, Tracy. Last year someone from his school anonymously posted a message online saying, “Jamey is stupid, fat and ugly. He must die.” I wouldn’t care if you died. :) No one would -- just do it. It would make everyone way more happier.”
On September 9th, 2011, Jamey wrote online, “I always say how bullied I am, but no one listens.” Nine days later on September 18, around 1:30 in the morning, he wrote a message to Lady Gaga, “Bye Mother Monster... Thank you for all you have done... Paws up forever.”
Later that morning, Jamey’s 14-year-old sister Alyssa discovered his body, hanging lifeless from their family swing set, outside of their home. “It is the same swing set that he was on since he was three years old. That we built special for them,” his mother tells Anderson.
Jamey loved his family, video games and Lady Gaga. He took comfort in Gaga’s lyrics of self acceptance. In a video message he posted, telling kids not to bully, he said, “We were born this way. Hold your head up and you’ll go far.”
In a recent concert, Lady Gaga dedicated a song to Jamey. Her message to him: “You’re not a victim, you’re a lesson to all of us.”
In this moment from Anderson’s interview with Jamey’s family, they give their reaction to Gaga’s tribute...
After Jamey’s wake, Tracy and Timothy encouraged Alyssa to join her friend at their school’s Homecoming dance. At the dance, just three days after Jamey was buried, a group of his bullies started yelling that that they were glad he’s dead.
Over the years, Anderson has reported on many deaths due to bullying. After each one he learns the new name of a child who has taken their life, he hopes it’s the last. A lot of schools and communities are much more aware of the problem of bullying, but kids are still dying. So many of these kids’ voices are never heard. They suffer in silence.
Today’s show is dedicated to the memory of Jamey Rodemeyer and Kameron Jacobsen, as well as all of the other children we’ve lost to bullying-related suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.
For more information, go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
According to Jamey’s family, the 9th grader had been teased since he was in the 5th grade. “He would come home crying and we would have to talk to him… sometimes on a daily basis,” says his mother, Tracy. Last year someone from his school anonymously posted a message online saying, “Jamey is stupid, fat and ugly. He must die.” I wouldn’t care if you died. :) No one would -- just do it. It would make everyone way more happier.”
On September 9th, 2011, Jamey wrote online, “I always say how bullied I am, but no one listens.” Nine days later on September 18, around 1:30 in the morning, he wrote a message to Lady Gaga, “Bye Mother Monster... Thank you for all you have done... Paws up forever.”
Later that morning, Jamey’s 14-year-old sister Alyssa discovered his body, hanging lifeless from their family swing set, outside of their home. “It is the same swing set that he was on since he was three years old. That we built special for them,” his mother tells Anderson.
Jamey loved his family, video games and Lady Gaga. He took comfort in Gaga’s lyrics of self acceptance. In a video message he posted, telling kids not to bully, he said, “We were born this way. Hold your head up and you’ll go far.”
In a recent concert, Lady Gaga dedicated a song to Jamey. Her message to him: “You’re not a victim, you’re a lesson to all of us.”
In this moment from Anderson’s interview with Jamey’s family, they give their reaction to Gaga’s tribute...
After Jamey’s wake, Tracy and Timothy encouraged Alyssa to join her friend at their school’s Homecoming dance. At the dance, just three days after Jamey was buried, a group of his bullies started yelling that that they were glad he’s dead.
Over the years, Anderson has reported on many deaths due to bullying. After each one he learns the new name of a child who has taken their life, he hopes it’s the last. A lot of schools and communities are much more aware of the problem of bullying, but kids are still dying. So many of these kids’ voices are never heard. They suffer in silence.
Today’s show is dedicated to the memory of Jamey Rodemeyer and Kameron Jacobsen, as well as all of the other children we’ve lost to bullying-related suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.
For more information, go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
Community Question
What are you, your school and your community doing to stomp out bullying?
Join the conversation.
Filed Under: As Seen On The Show
Comments
it is not just gays that get this i stood 4 foot nine till my senior year in high school and got bullied all the time even by the kids that were gay so it is not just normal kids that do this it is anyone who thinks they can get away with it it is a real joke to most of them
Bullying has become an element in the American culture. It's even being encouraged in the Media as you see people being mean and hurtful to each other is called "funny"!...call it humor, but some people who get bullied take the bulley crap seriously because they are most likely more emotional than others, so they hurt and punish themselves in their minds, because they feel guilty of people's poor judgement even if there's nothing really wrong with them.
Those who bulley others, are unhappy and hate their own life and face lots of issues in their own life, but take it on other people because that's the only way they can feel good about themselves.
I used to be a victim for 3-4 years when I was working in a small office. Some coworkers were gossipping and making fun of me all the time, without a direct referrence to me or my name, so I couldn't take a legal action. I am straight and have always been straight and into girls, and those coworkers knew this, but used to make fun of me because I was working much better than them, but at that time I was naive and didn't know the real reason behind their behavior and thought maybe the way I behaved (like eating that food, or wearing this or that, or thing like this) was the reason. I was too sensitive about what others thought and said about me. Looking back at this, instead of confronting them as I was fearing to lose my job if I did so, I thought they'd start behaving better, if I treat them more nicely and guess what? they even became meaner and ruder! One day, I couldn't take it anymore I confronted one of them by asking her reasons for doing that very calmly and reasonably without any treats or insulst, and obviously she denied talking about me, and started doing it 2mins after that! Few days later, the company owner fired me with any apparent reason! Every thing happens for a reason...even if it looks like bad at first! After a couple of months of being unemployed, and after some job training, I got a job with a salary 3 times as much higher and 10 times more respect in the new company, because I am a good person with good intentions.
My message to those who get bullied...never lose your faith, whatever you believe in. Know that those bulleys are weak and have their own issues and most of them are super-insecure about themselves. Ignore them by believing in yourself and be tough! You'll become stronger and your life will become better soon.
Bullying has become an element in the American culture. It's even being encouraged in the Media as you see people being mean and hurtful to each other is called "funny"!...call it humor, but some people who get bullied take the bulley crap seriously because they are most likely more emotional than others, so they hurt and punish themselves in their minds, because they feel guilty of people's poor judgement even if there's nothing really wrong with them.
Those who bulley others, are unhappy and hate their own life and face lots of issues in their own life, but take it on other people because that's the only way they can feel good about themselves.
I used to be a victim for 3-4 years when I was working in a small office. Some coworkers were gossipping and making fun of me all the time, without a direct referrence to me or my name, so I couldn't take a legal action. I am straight and have always been straight and into girls, and those coworkers knew this, but used to make fun of me because I was working much better than them, but at that time I was naive and didn't know the real reason behind their behavior and thought maybe the way I behaved (like eating that food, or wearing this or that, or thing like this) was the reason. I was too sensitive about what others thought and said about me. Looking back at this, instead of confronting them as I was fearing to lose my job if I did so, I thought they'd start behaving better, if I treat them more nicely and guess what? they even became meaner and ruder! One day, I couldn't take it anymore I confronted one of them by asking her reasons for doing that very calmly and reasonably without any treats or insulst, and obviously she denied talking about me, and started doing it 2mins after that! Few days later, the company owner fired me with any apparent reason! Every thing happens for a reason...even if it looks like bad at first! After a couple of months of being unemployed, and after some job training, I got a job with a salary 3 times as much higher and 10 times more respect in the new company, because I am a good person with good intentions.
My message to those who get bullied...never lose your faith, whatever you believe in. Know that those bulleys are weak and have their own issues and most of them are super-insecure about themselves. Ignore them by believing in yourself and be tough! You'll become stronger and your life will become better soon.
Bullying has become an element in the American culture. It's even being encouraged in the Media as you see people being mean and hurtful to each other is called "funny"!...call it humor, but some people who get bullied take the bulley crap seriously because they are most likely more emotional than others, so they hurt and punish themselves in their minds, because they feel guilty of people's poor judgement even if there's nothing really wrong with them.
Those who bulley others, are unhappy and hate their own life and face lots of issues in their own life, but take it on other people because that's the only way they can feel good about themselves.
I used to be a victim for 3-4 years when I was working in a small office. Some coworkers were gossipping and making fun of me all the time, without a direct referrence to me or my name, so I couldn't take a legal action. I am straight and have always been straight and into girls, and those coworkers knew this, but used to make fun of me because I was working much better than them, but at that time I was naive and didn't know the real reason behind their behavior and thought maybe the way I behaved (like eating that food, or wearing this or that, or thing like this) was the reason. I was too sensitive about what others thought and said about me. Looking back at this, instead of confronting them as I was fearing to lose my job if I did so, I thought they'd start behaving better, if I treat them more nicely and guess what? they even became meaner and ruder! One day, I couldn't take it anymore I confronted one of them by asking her reasons for doing that very calmly and reasonably without any treats or insulst, and obviously she denied talking about me, and started doing it 2mins after that! Few days later, the company owner fired me with any apparent reason! Every thing happens for a reason...even if it looks like bad at first! After a couple of months of being unemployed, and after some job training, I got a job with a salary 3 times as much higher and 10 times more respect in the new company, because I am a good person with good intentions.
My message to those who get bullied...never lose your faith, whatever you believe in. Know that those bulleys are weak and have their own issues and most of them are super-insecure about themselves. Ignore them by believing in yourself and be tough! You'll become stronger and your life will become better soon.
Bullying has become an element in the American culture. It's even being encouraged in the Media as you see people being mean and hurtful to each other is called "funny"!...call it humor, but some people who get bullied take the bulley crap seriously because they are most likely more emotional than others, so they hurt and punish themselves in their minds, because they feel guilty of people's poor judgement even if there's nothing really wrong with them.
Those who bulley others, are unhappy and hate their own life and face lots of issues in their own life, but take it on other people because that's the only way they can feel good about themselves.
I used to be a victim for 3-4 years when I was working in a small office. Some coworkers were gossipping and making fun of me all the time, without a direct referrence to me or my name, so I couldn't take a legal action. I am straight and have always been straight and into girls, and those coworkers knew this, but used to make fun of me because I was working much better than them, but at that time I was naive and didn't know the real reason behind their behavior and thought maybe the way I behaved (like eating that food, or wearing this or that, or thing like this) was the reason. I was too sensitive about what others thought and said about me. Looking back at this, instead of confronting them as I was fearing to lose my job if I did so, I thought they'd start behaving better, if I treat them more nicely and guess what? they even became meaner and ruder! One day, I couldn't take it anymore I confronted one of them by asking her reasons for doing that very calmly and reasonably without any treats or insulst, and obviously she denied talking about me, and started doing it 2mins after that! Few days later, the company owner fired me with any apparent reason! Every thing happens for a reason...even if it looks like bad at first! After a couple of months of being unemployed, and after some job training, I got a job with a salary 3 times as much higher and 10 times more respect in the new company, because I am a good person with good intentions.
My message to those who get bullied...never lose your faith, whatever you believe in. Know that those bulleys are weak and have their own issues and most of them are super-insecure about themselves. Ignore them by believing in yourself and be tough! You'll become stronger and your life will become better soon.
Bullying has become an element in the American culture. It's even being encouraged in the Media as you see people being mean and hurtful to each other is called "funny"!...call it humor, but some people who get bullied take the bulley crap seriously because they are most likely more emotional than others, so they hurt and punish themselves in their minds, because they feel guilty of people's poor judgement even if there's nothing really wrong with them.
Those who bulley others, are unhappy and hate their own life and face lots of issues in their own life, but take it on other people because that's the only way they can feel good about themselves.
I used to be a victim for 3-4 years when I was working in a small office. Some coworkers were gossipping and making fun of me all the time, without a direct referrence to me or my name, so I couldn't take a legal action. I am straight and have always been straight and into girls, and those coworkers knew this, but used to make fun of me because I was working much better than them, but at that time I was naive and didn't know the real reason behind their behavior and thought maybe the way I behaved (like eating that food, or wearing this or that, or thing like this) was the reason. I was too sensitive about what others thought and said about me. Looking back at this, instead of confronting them as I was fearing to lose my job if I did so, I thought they'd start behaving better, if I treat them more nicely and guess what? they even became meaner and ruder! One day, I couldn't take it anymore I confronted one of them by asking her reasons for doing that very calmly and reasonably without any treats or insulst, and obviously she denied talking about me, and started doing it 2mins after that! Few days later, the company owner fired me with any apparent reason! Every thing happens for a reason...even if it looks like bad at first! After a couple of months of being unemployed, and after some job training, I got a job with a salary 3 times as much higher and 10 times more respect in the new company, because I am a good person with good intentions.
My message to those who get bullied...never lose your faith, whatever you believe in. Know that those bulleys are weak and have their own issues and most of them are super-insecure about themselves. Ignore them by believing in yourself and be tough! You'll become stronger and your life will become better soon.
Bullying has become an element in the American culture. It's even being encouraged in the Media as you see people being mean and hurtful to each other is called "funny"!...call it humor, but some people who get bullied take the bulley crap seriously because they are most likely more emotional than others, so they hurt and punish themselves in their minds, because they feel guilty of people's poor judgement even if there's nothing really wrong with them.
Those who bulley others, are unhappy and hate their own life and face lots of issues in their own life, but take it on other people because that's the only way they can feel good about themselves.
I used to be a victim for 3-4 years when I was working in a small office. Some coworkers were gossipping and making fun of me all the time, without a direct referrence to me or my name, so I couldn't take a legal action. I am straight and have always been straight and into girls, and those coworkers knew this, but used to make fun of me because I was working much better than them, but at that time I was naive and didn't know the real reason behind their behavior and thought maybe the way I behaved (like eating that food, or wearing this or that, or thing like this) was the reason. I was too sensitive about what others thought and said about me. Looking back at this, instead of confronting them as I was fearing to lose my job if I did so, I thought they'd start behaving better, if I treat them more nicely and guess what? they even became meaner and ruder! One day, I couldn't take it anymore I confronted one of them by asking her reasons for doing that very calmly and reasonably without any treats or insulst, and obviously she denied talking about me, and started doing it 2mins after that! Few days later, the company owner fired me with any apparent reason! Every thing happens for a reason...even if it looks like bad at first! After a couple of months of being unemployed, and after some job training, I got a job with a salary 3 times as much higher and 10 times more respect in the new company, because I am a good person with good intentions.
My message to those who get bullied...never lose your faith, whatever you believe in. Know that those bulleys are weak and have their own issues and most of them are super-insecure about themselves. Ignore them by believing in yourself and be tough! You'll become stronger and your life will become better soon.
When I was in grade school, nobody can bully me because if they do, I will give them one straight punch or spinning back kick in either their face or body! Because I've learned karate since when I was 7 years old up to present. That's why they are afraid of having fun with me!
My two advice for parents:
1. Send your child to Martial Art school and
2. Send your child at PSR (Public School Religion) in your district.
The schools should be allowed to temporarily evict bullies!
they did bullied to your son.. why dont you all move out and find a good place and safe for school..
Seriously... Bullying should have been Stopped YEARS ago. The bullies that cause the suffering to their victims-they should be placed in jail with someone that will bully them for about 2 days, to give them a TASTE of what the victim felt.PLUS: Jailed for involvment in a death.
How come the media only covers rich and good looking victims of suicide? I know because most people dont wanna look at some ugly kid! Still a bunch of bullocks.
I don't understand why people treat this issue like it's black and white. Usually bullies are the way they are because they themselves are bullied or they have a parent who is a **** and teaches them to be that way. There is the rare sociopath child that is mean for no reason but in general that isn't the case. Also where were the parents of the children who were doing the bullying? Why did no one say anything until it was too late? "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" (I think that quote is for medicine but you get my point).
Hi Anderson,
Great show that you did on CNN! Thanks for keeping this issue in the media. Please consider the invite that I gave you to the Bullying... We're Kickin' It Event on October 20th at the Hard Rock Times Square. Join students in NY and NJ in their efforts to eradicate bullying. The students, most of whom were targets of bullying, have put together a fantastic program, showcasing the talents that have kept them going during their most difficult trying times. We're Kickin' It (KI) is all about empowering targets of bullying to move beyond their negative experiences and to focus on sharing their talents with the world. We know that you are very busy, but we hope that you will be able to drop in for 20 minutes to see what a bold powerful movement that these students are leading. Hope to see you there!
Regards,
Lisa Franklyn-Zaidi
3Girlsblogging.com
My cousin Fred Drew of Inverness, Florida was killed on Oct. 2, 2011 helping two girls that were being bullied. I started a non profit 501C3 to assist families with paying for their childs funeral in the event that they commited suicide due to bullying or were killed at the hands of another person due to bullying. Please join forces with the Frederick P Drew Memorial fund Inc on facebook. It's a great cause!!! Together we can make a difference!!!!!