My first reaction after seeing this video for the first time was, I would give my life in a second to protect this child.
My second reaction was, I need to share this with others. Please, look at it and pass it on. Our children should not have to suffer like this!
Here’s the video:
BTW, parents of 15 lesbian girl buried their daughter today…….after years of being bullied drove her to suicide.
Jonah, You are strong and capable and loved by many. Never give up!
The kid does need some help. I just think Mr. Gilbert is trying to exploit the poor kid for his own profit. The kid needs to find someone his own age as moral support.
@Teen Help – Teen “Help,” my ass. Help yourself.
OK, I’m take social worker style guess Kelly based on your very mean, very insensitive comment that you are one of two types of people: you are either a very needy, insecure person who resents that Jonah was able to do what you can’t, cry out for help in such a dramatic and public way; or, you have such incredibly low self-respect and self-esteem that you are in fact a bully who has to try and verbally or physically put people down so you can feel somehow validated as a person.
Either way Kelly, you obviously are a needy person who is having a hard time coping with life. Don’t be afraid of reaching out to help; if you can’t get it home, try a local mental health agency. But please, don’t go round dumping on people …..especially other people in need.
Let me guess. You are a Republiterrorist right?
Talk to your parents or a priest. I figure you are having trouble being gay because you know that there are other choices to make in your life. I am sure you were taught that being gay is wrong or else you wouldn’t have this conflict. The best thing to do is talk to someone older and they can help you figure out what is up with your feelings.
What a cheap-sleazy way to promote your for profit program that takes advantage of unhappy kids and dysfunctional families. The very fact that you would even verbalize the idea that being gay is a “choice,” should disqualify ignorant bigoted people like you from providing any kind educational or human services to teens or people of any age. Your comment is nothing less that a public pronouncement of how dangerous you and your REDCLIFF ASCENT WILDERNESS TREATMENT PROGRAM is.
It seems to me like you are the one trying to take advantage of these kids.Being gay is a choice. If is was natural or biological then evolution would have gotten ride of it millions of years ago. It’s not a choice you wake up and make one morning, but it is a choice. He just needs to find someone to support him in his choice.
Hi, I know it seems hard now and that you may not have a friend in the world, but pls hang in their. I am not gay, but I am a 39 yr old biracial woman that went to an all white school. The kids would call me names because I was part black, so I know.
I have two sons myself, 7th and 8th grade, and I stop them everytime I hear them say the word gay. I am sorry! I know how real this is because I hear it from my kids, about how the other kids are towards gay boys. A change is going to come, just wait and see. xoxoxox
dont give up kid. stay strong. middle school and high school dont matter. well for the education it does, but what people think about you in middle and high school doesnt matter ONE BIT.
Hey kiddo! If you read these responses; Find a local Buddhist group. You will find support and courage to make positive choices in your life’s path. Buddha did not create a religion, but illuminated a path. Its not the only path and may not be your path; but those on his path practice compassion and love for all beings.
You don’t need to feel alone or scared. you only need to feel support and appreciation of the worth of all beings, including yourself.
A monk from Tibet was taken prisoner and beaten and tortured by the Chinese for several years. After his release he was asked if during his ordeal he ever doubted his path or was afraid. He answered that yes, at one point they almost defeated him; he said that he almost forgot that he loved his captors.
Don’t pity the sheep that push and bite their brethren, love them in spite of their fear, love them for their wool and the warmth of the lessons they teach.
What have you seen that said he’s gay? I’ve watched the video more than once, looked at the channel and the comments.. nothing says he’s gay.
Matt, Jonah is gay. He makes it quite clear in the video that he was being tormented because he is gay. What’s more, if bothered to read all the comments posted, you would have noted that a number of people have checked out Jonah’s other posting and videos. He makes it clear in those that he is “out,” and thanks to the video, has lots of new friends. Successful bullying is all about identifying a social “weakness” in person and exploiting. No one who has seen this video can deny that what Jonah has been put through hit home for him.
Jonah, you are one strong young man already just for making that video. It took alot of courage to put yourself out there like that… Believe me, you have nothing to fear as you move on in life. Be strong, keep reading, talk with your parents, talk with a pastor, priest, rabbi, or community center. Keep researching online for resources and you’ll find some amazing sources of support. And of course, prayer can’t hurt either. I know it doesn’t seem like there is an answer at times. But listen carefully and you’ll find one every time. I’m not a religious freak here, but I believe in prayers being answered.
A friend (in Chicago),
Philip
To be clear, the kid did not say that he was gay. He said that people called him gay, there’s a difference.
Where did the 7th grader declare that he was gay? I have seen this video before and he does not say he is gay. He says he is called gay and fag etc by his classmates but does not state that he is gay. I doubt at 12 years old he has yet delved into figuring out his sexual orientation and I take offense that this has been made about his sexuality and not just about bullying in general. The child has been bullied since the 1st grade. This is not a sexuality issue.
I think it’s disingenuous to say that he didn’t know what his sexuality was by the time he was 12. I knew when I was in first grade what my sexuality was, and that never changed.
Wrong makeshift man. Many of us knew at 12 that we were gay. What’s more, I’m sorry to say, many of the kids we went to school with figured out that there was something different about us that some could exploit of they want too. (Also, see what I wrote to Matt P above.)
I was bullied too from 1st grade to 12th grade and those exact words are the same ones I use to hear every day. I attended school in Mexico and the US and it was the same in every school I went to. He doesn’t need to say he is gay. It takes one to know one. and by those words that he is called that’s what it is. Dont be ignorant and try to not see whats in front of you. In spanish we have a quote that goes something like this and is one of Shakira’s songs “theres no worst blind person than the one who doesnt want to see”
I saw your later video before this first one sweetheart , the one where you address among other things idiots who christ knows how think you …made this up ? Riiight , bullying is imaginary , precious chldren being hounded to DEATH is imaginary . Assholes . I don’t know you but I love you , kid . Always will. I am glad you are strong enough to come through this to eventually reach a place where these pieces of garbage masquerading as people can no longer torment you but here is my big question for right NOW : where the heck are your parents and the school administrators in all this ? They should have stopped this insane behavior right in its’ tracks , not permitted it to continue for EIGHT YEARS !! You may only be
thirteen but you can go pester your elected officals , they have the power to help and weighing in on something like this makes them look good to the folks they want re-electing them so the chances are fairly decent that SOME of them will help. Senator , State senator , Congressperson , local council member , Mayor , all these folks work for you and you are going to be voting for or against them real soon…five years from now is VERY soon . Remind them , politely , of this fact when you go ask for their help. If there are any decent religious figures available where you live you might enlist their help too….a rabbi , a minister , a priest….jesus said ” suffer the children to come unto me ” , not ” Let’s permit bullies to make childrens lives a living hell .” Good luck , let us know how you do , and may the Mother bless you .