Different And Discriminated Against
This article is pending translation.
I'm one of the thousands of young people in the UK who every day are bullied and teased for being different. Instead of wearing chinos or joggers, I'd much rather skinny jeans with massive holes in. I'd rather go rock out to Bullet For My Valentine than One Direction. This makes me - and thousands of other people - different.
I wear black, I listen to bands that are considered a "suicide cult". Everyday, I have people asking me "When are you going to kill yourself? Do you cut yourself?". This makes me feel so alone. I feel unwanted and rejected. That's not where it ends for me, people steal my stuff and say they'll only give it back if I cut myself.
Does liking different things to you make me any different? Does it give you any right to target me, call me names?
Five years ago, Sophie Lancaster was murdered. Why? Because she was a "Mosher". Sophie was beaten to death by gang of boys. Her boyfriend, who survived, was also badly beaten too, so much so that when the police arrived, they couldn't tell who was male and who was female because of how terrible their injuries where. Her mother set up a foundation - S.O.P.H.I.E (Stamping Out Prejudice, Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere) in her name.
But the abuse hasn't stopped and Sophie will not be the last martyr. Maybe tomorrow, I might be the next one to be beaten to a pulp because of what I like. Maybe that kid you laughed and called an emo will die. This abuse may be in the shadows but it's happening. It's happening as you read this.
Help Stamp Out Prejudice, Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere. One of these days, your comments might take someone's life. I like metal, I like black and tattoos and piercings, but I am human. You may not have the same loves, but you're human too. Just bare that in mind.
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Info » Health » Emotional and Mental Health » Self Harm
Info » Family & Relationships » What to do if something goes wrong » Abuse
Info » Family & Relationships » What to do if something goes wrong » Bullying
Related Article: Stereotyping
IMAGE: Madilyn Peiper
