We know one of the major reasons that teens reach the point where they would take their own lives. There are more, but public shaming or cyber-bullying can’t be dismissed. Before the internet, there was bullying. Kids can be mean, but bullying someone face to face was minor compared to what can be done with your cell phone or computer. The message goes out to all of the victim’s friends, then those hundreds re-post it and add to it, then the really cruel ones start messaging the victim with insults and threats. There is no way to fight back.
The Community Foundation is bringing a leading voice in the fight to stop cyber-bullying to Durango for two public events. In 1998, Monica Lewinsky became arguably the first mass victim of public shaming. Today, she is back as a leading spokesperson in the fight against it. She has written and spoken out to live audiences and traveled the country helping parents, teachers and administrators to understand how they can help teens and how they can fight this cruel behavior.
She will be giving a speech at the Concert Hall on Tuesday, April 23 and will address a luncheon at the Strater Hotel. Tickets for the Concert Hall talk are available at durangoconcerts.tix.com. Tickets for the luncheon are available at swcommunityfoundation.org.
This is a chance to learn about how to help. It is time to end this cycle of suicide and until we get a handle on cyber-bullying, that will not happen.
Jackson Clark
Durango
