I never knew Phoebe Prince, the 15-year-old who took her life this year after being ruthlessly bullied by classmates and I never will and that makes me incredibly angry and incredibly sad. 

 This is Phoebe Prince

At the bottom of this post is an essay she wrote for high school. It proves that Phoebe was:
1. Insightful
2. Smart
3. A writer
4. A real person.

She isn’t just a symbol of what bullies can do. She isn’t just an example of what sorrow and meanness and pain can drive a person, too. She isn’t just an example of a life cut short. She was a person with a soul and feelings. 

She isn’t the only one who has been bullied in our culture. She’s not the only one who has been bullied so badly and so intensely that it led to a person doing something irrevocable and drastic. 

This week, I’m going to blog about bullying, being bullied, and feeling desperate and I’m going to put it all on my website as a permanent link. I’m hoping that some of my author friends who might be reading this will too, and please tell me you are and send me the links and let me know if I can link to it from my webpage.

And finally, Megan Kelley Hall had a great idea about YA authors getting together and doing something. We aren’t sure what yet, but please let me know if:
1. You have ideas.
2. You want to be involved.

Because the truth of it, is that Phoebe isn’t the only one. There’s also Mary Kate Bell who was cyber bullied and had her face smashed into the pavement.

 This is Mary Kate Bell after she was beaten up. 

And there’s Jazmin’ Lovings who is five and had her classmates beat her up and pull her hair. She’s afraid to go back to school. 



And whatever you do, do not tell me ‘kids will be kids’ because this isn’t about ‘kids being kids.’ This is about ‘kids being monsters.’ And, yes, adults can be monsters, too. Believe me, I know. But right now, I’m focusing on bullying because our kids deserve to be the best freaking humans they can be and to be able to go to school or log onto their computer without being afraid. 

Thanks. 





Mind Over Matter, Value Essay

Phoebe Prince
Mr. B-G
Block E
15/10/09
Mind Over Matter

Where have today’s values gone? Everyone is so preoccupied with their electronic gadgets to appreciate simple moments like the first snow fall of winter or hearing the words I love you for the very first time. We live in an impersonal electronic society, is that what our values have gone to? We no longer appreciate simple conversations now that we have twitter and face-book. Personally I can’t believe that reading an email would have the same effect as speaking with someone face to face, making a moment.

I get into my pink fluffy onesie my feet tingle as they rub off the soft cushioned fabric. I head downstairs into the kitchen. The walls our heath green with various paintings of vegetables. I live in an old country house with a barn door and all the furnishings to boot. My fathers sitting at the dining table reading a thriller type novel as per usual with a half glass full of white wine next to him. The fire is roaring and the smell of hydrangea’s wafts through the air. I curl up on a chair adjacent from my father making sure to be cosily tucked in near the fire. He puts down his book and says, “Now what is on your mind tonight my dear?” From there on we start a heated debate about almost anything. Our conversations range from sex, drugs and rock and roll to matters of great importance such as ancient religions, politics and criminal justice. No subject is off limits with me and my father.

I click in my glossy silver i-pod into my speakers. I turn up the volume full blast, the walls vibrate from the sound of System of a Down screaming out “Chop Suey”. I’m sitting in my room on my mattress (I broke my bed one evening whilst jumping on it). My walls are covered with doodles, posters, lyrics and memories. I have the lyrics to “I love college” by Asher Roth printed on my walls. I start off by listening to some Arctic Monkeys, they always get me in a good mood. My mix soon turns into some darker music. My i-pod reflects me inside throughout. Its my constant companion. Soon my boyfriend rings me up, “Phoebe c’mon man lets go for a spin, bring your i-pod.” I get into his Civic and he starts driving. The windows are down and the air is blowing through my hair, I plug my i-pod in and the Alex Kidd starts pumping. Alex Kidd is by far my favourite DJ. The words “ecstasy” are throbbing in my ears. Leem starts speeding up we’re going well over sixty miles an hour. We change the music to some Chemical Brothers and The Avalanches. He drops me outside the farm across the road from my house. I now put on “Sandiego Song” by the Coronas.

I value both my i-pod and my nightly conversations with my daddy for both different yet similar reasons. My i-pod is stimulating to my body as I can’t help but move along to the beat, it is also the soundtrack of my life, I have a song for every moment and mood of my day. Without it I would be lost. Its also therapeutic for me I find it easy to relate to the lyrics in music and let them wash away any emotion I’m feeling. As for my nightly conversations with my daddy I treasure them dearly they stimulate my mind to no end, he has increased my knowledge of different dialects, cultures, religions and politics. I learn about the world around me even though I don’t leave my kitchen table.

Both my i-pod and my conversations with my daddy make me think, one with its thoughtful lyrics that I relate to and helps me deal with my own personal problems. My nightly conversations make me think about other people and the world that I’m in. I become more emotionally and intellectually mature through both these activities. Although I still value such items that don’t have such significant effects on me. Sometimes I love just walking around in my favourite heels and feeling like the most confident girl in the world, but mostly I just like sitting back and discussing politics with my dad.