Author Archives: JS

10.24.12
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Artist Michelle Williams Reacts to TRAGIC Suicide of AMANDA TODD – How did YOU react?

I’ve discussed this before, now it’s time to talk about it again.

It is so important that we remember the lives of these children who have chosen to end their own due in part to bullying.

Amanda Todd is one of these children.

PLEASE REMEMBER HER LIFE.  REMEMBER HER FACE.  REMEMBER THE LEGACY SHE LEFT BEHIND.

Amanda’s YouTube Video
EEW Magazine ran the following piece, featuring NVEEE’s own Celebrity Spokesperson, Michelle Williams.

“It’s the heartbreaking story of the 15-year-old girl taunted by a hacker, bullied by peers, and ultimately isolated, until she felt she could no longer live on earth that has everyone talking. Amanda Todd, a tormented teen from Coquitlam, British Columbia, who felt no one liked her, took her own life last week. Former Destiny’s Child member, Michelle Williams, responded on Twitter.

Williams, who is currently in the studio working on a gospel album, re-tweeted a comment that said “So upset by this Amanda Todd situation. Not right!! She was so young and precious.”

Former Destiny’s Child member Michelle Williams is a spokesperson for National Voices to prevent bullying, violence, and suicide among youth She then wrote, “I am a Spokesperson for @NationalVoices. We will help you if you are being bullied! YOUR LIFE IS VALUABLE! Please contact us!”

National Voices for Equality, Education, and Enlightenment (NVEE) is on a mission to “prevent bullying, violence, and suicide among youth, families and communities through direct service, mentoring and prevention education” according to its website at nvee.org.

Amanda Todd’s story is a sad one.

In a video that seems eerie now in the wake of her death, she describes using webcam chats to meet and talk to new people online back when she was a seventh grade student. While in chat rooms, people told her she was “stunning, beautiful, perfect” and an unknown man pressured her to flash her chest.

One year later, the naïve teen did it.

That’s when the blackmailing began.

The cyber stalker threatened to send the pictures of her breasts to friends and family if she didn’t “put on a show” for him. Over Christmas break, Todd said police came to her house at 4 a.m. to tell her that the photo had indeed been sent to everyone.

“I then got really sick and got anxiety, major depression and panic disorders,” she wrote. “I then moved and got into drugs and alcohol.”

From there, Todd’s story chronicles a series of moves, mean bullies in school, and bad choices that led her to what she felt was the point of no return in her life.

Todd was in the tenth grade at the Coquitlam Alternate Basic Education School when she died.

Cheryl Quinton, spokeswoman for the Coquitlam School District, told ABCNews.com, “The family was wanting to pass along that several supports were in place for their daughter on the school, home and community levels. There was a lot of intervention and a lot of support. I know that is the message that they want to convey.”

Quinton continued, “We typically, as a school district, don’t talk about such deaths but with the family’s endorsement we did choose to do so because it is important to point out the dangers associated with social media and cyber-bullying.””

END OF ARTICLE.

10.23.12
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10 Lessons from Einstein

1. Follow Your Curiosity “I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.”

2. Perseverance is Priceless “It’s not that I’m so smart; it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”

3. Focus on the Present “Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.”

4. The Imagination is Powerful “Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions. Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

5. Make Mistakes “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”

6. Live in the Moment “I never think of the future – it comes soon enough.”

7. Create Value “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”

8. Don’t be repetitive “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

9. Knowledge Comes From Experience “Information is not knowledge. The only source of knowledge is experience.”

10. Learn the Rules and Then Play Better “You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.”

Source: Dumb little man; 10 Lessons from Einstein — Paulo Coelho’s Blog.

10.15.12
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A Cause Worth Fighting For… Rett Syndrome Awareness

Rett Syndrome is a developmental disorder affecting little girls worldwide,

One (1) out of every 10,000 to 23,000 births.

It affects little girls of all racial and ethnic groups, and it is rarely seen in boys.

This syndrome has been misdiagnosed by many as autism or cerebral palsy.

Rett Syndrome is developmental disorder, not a degenerative disorder.

These girls will never have the ability speak.

FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON RETT’S SYNDROME,

HERE IS A FACT SHEET

from the National Institutes of Health.

God’s Innocent Angels Foundation was created in 2011 to raise awareness for children affected with Rett Syndrome.

G.I.A.’s Foundation’s mission is to create awareness and to open a center for children and families affected by this debilitating disorder.
To do this, they need your support on every level, not just financially, but by supporting the cause.
The foundation is 100% volunteer-based and no founder or director of the organization takes a salary or benefits in any way from the proceeds.
ALL FUNDS will be used to build the GIA Center for Children and Families affected with RETT Syndrome.

The organization was named after Teri Rio’s niece GIA, who has been affected by this disorder, she’s an angel of God.

Please click on the link and meet Gia:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIDiwmaeY-U

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW YOU CAN HELP MAKE GIA’S CENTER FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES A REALITY,

CONTACT TERI RIOS:
godsinnocentangels.org
5200 S. University Drive, Ste. A103
Davie, FL 33329

10.13.12
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Hey baby! Women speak out against street harassment – CNN.com

I remember living on South Beach, and walking down Ocean Drive, heading in to work.

Apparently a woman can’t make a walk like that – to work, to school, to wherever – without  having to listen to men at their most obnoxious. Cat-calls – they probably call them that because the sound of men whistling or making sexist remarks is just as pleasant as cats howling on the fencepost at night. Or chalk on a blackboard.

I’ve even heard guys argue that such behavior is a ‘compliment’. As if making women feel annoyed, even unsafe, is a compliment.

Apparently I’m not the only one who finds this behavior to be juvenile and annoying.  Some found it downright dangerous.

CNN released a good piece today on catcalling and the associated dangers.

Here’s the link – and a quote:

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(CNN) — Head down, look straight ahead. Earbuds in, volume off. Walk quickly, but with purpose. Don’t make eye contact unless you need to. Look behind you every few blocks, make sure you’re not being followed. Don’t be obvious.

It’s not nighttime. You’re not in a known drug zone, or the sketchy part of town.

This is simply how many women steel themselves when walking down a city street in broad daylight, or even when boarding crowded public transportation. Why? Because many women, regardless of age, weight, or appearance, say they’ve heard something along the lines of “Hey baby, you want some of this?” or “I like what I see” or “nice ass.”

… Keep reading

Hey baby! Women speak out against street harassment – CNN.com

10.12.12
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CAUGHT ON TAPE. Teen Bullied During Anti-Bullying Interview

In one of the STUPIDEST things I have heard all day, a Maryland teen was bullied while being interviewed on TV about BULLYING!

Seriously – what is wrong with people?

Full Article but…

Here’s the breakdown:

1. Boy suspended from Frederick County school for three days after fighting back against another bully.

2. Local News Station decides to do a piece on bullying, and to interview Boy.

3. As the Boy gets ready for his interview, “three boys approached and one began hitting him in the head”  [WHAG-TV].

4. Boy runs to get help.

5. Cameras keep rolling.

Warning: The video may piss you off.

Frankly, I am more than just annoyed by this – I am seriously questioning how this happens ON-CAMERA — AND NO ONE CALLS THE POLICE.

The reporter witnessed a crime. She had video of the perpetrators. What should she do? Call Police. Oh wait – give it to the school officials!  That’s a GREAT idea.

On the bright side, his MOM sure is happy:

“I’m hoping now that they take this more seriously than what they have,” Cheryl Deener told the station.

The school system is now “investigating”.

10.12.12
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Another teen lost . . . Another star has faded…

Please take a moment to read the
Extraordinarily in-depth Full Article Here

Five weeks after posting heartbreaking YouTube plea begging bullies to stop tormenting her, Amanda Todd, 15, was found dead Wednesday night in Coquitlam, Canada. Authorities believe she committed suicide.

Her mother wants her daughter’s anti-cyber-bullying video to be used to help other young people.

“I think the video should be shared and used as an anti-bullying tool. That is what my daughter would have wanted,” Carol Todd, Amanda’s mother, told The Vancouver Sun in a message on Twitter.

View Amanda’s message to the world via YouTube:

 

Direct from NVEEE:
“Amanda, we are saddened by your death. Such talent. Such beauty. Such a bright soul. Thank you for leaving behind videos to give us a glimpse into your life. Please watch and share this video of Amanda singing. We will pray for your family and friends and ask for strength and guidance in the upcoming days as these will be the toughest moments in their lives.

To all the kids who are bulling others, who are being bullied, and who are watching it happen without saying anything… Just know there is another way. When you think its never going to get better, just know there are organizations and regular people out there who are standing strong for you. We just need to find each other. COME FIND US. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE LOVED AND ACCEPTED!!”

http://www.nveee.org

 

Rest In Peace Amanda.

10.11.12
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A Plea Deal Made Him Do It! Justin Beiber Releases Anti-Bullying PSA

I just learned that Justin Bieber has made a new anti-cyberbullying video, which was released Wednesday, October 10.

OK, so he’s doing he is part…

wait…

what was that?

He has a PLEA DEAL that calls for him to make an anti-cyberbullying public service announcement?

While it’s great for the anti-bullying crusaders out there, and for Beliebers everywhere, that he has made a PSA video on this topic,

does it lose it’s effectiveness when you know that he was forced to make it by New York prosecutor as part of a plea deal?

Not in the mood to read the FULL ARTICLE?

HERE IS A BASIC RECAP OF EVENTS:

1. Bieber’s Twitter account stated he was going to be at a mall in 2009.

(Remember New Kids on the Block/Debbie Gibson Mall Tours circa 1982? Yeah, just like that. They still do that kind of thing.)

2. Too many tweens showed up and safety issues arose (a mall “frenzy” lol).

(Tween: “a girl ages about 9-14…too old for toys, but too young for boys” – Thanks Urban Dictionary!)

3. Police asked his staff to pretty please send a tweet out that the event was cancelled.

(Not too hard, right? But WAIT…THERE’S MORE!)

4. They couldn’t do so because JB’s manager had changed the password to prevent anyone from cancelling the event.

FAIL.

Bieber’s Manager Braun and Def Jam Records executive James Roppo were charged with misdemeanors.

(oh yeah, did I mention that shortly after they were arrested 2 tweets were sent out cancelling the event, it took all of 15 MINUTES for the crowd to vanish?)

The charges were later dropped in a plea agreement that permitted Bieber’s record company and a management company to plead guilty to fire code violations, as well as reimburse Nassau County almost $8,000.

WHICH LEADS TO THE MATTER AT HAND:

The agreement called for Bieber to record the anti-cyberbullying public service announcement video.

I understand the need to learn from one’s mistakes and for them to repay the county for costs associated with their communications failure.

That being said, and after being privy to the facts behind the making of this video, does this change the effectiveness of this PSA?

Let me know your thoughts.

Oh yeah, here’s the PSA.

I’m going to go watch something NOT involving a young boy who eerily reminds me of a blonde  VELMA from Scooby Doo in this video…

10.10.12
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Kids Create Anti-Bullying Flash Mob!

WATCH the video – LIKE it on YouTube and SHOW YOUR SUPPORT for these kids who created an ANTI-BULLYING FLASHMOB!!

In honour of International Anti-Bullying Day, two schools came together to create a message about Acceptance and challenge others to use social media as a positive tool. Choreographed by Jheric Hizon, Directed by Anita Perel-Panar – A Star Studio Productions.

 

 

 

HOW’S THAT FOR STANDING UP AND SPEAKING OUT CREATIVELY?

10.08.12
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And tonight I’m cleaning out my closet…

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10.05.12
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And I was just asking myself this question. Lol.

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