Thu, Nov 17, 2011

Parents in a small town in Illinois suspect their young daughter, Ashlynn Conner, took her own life after enduring years of bullying

Ten-year-old Ashlynn Conner was described as a “happy go lucky” fifth grader who was always smiling and thinking of others. But, last Friday, she was found dead of an apparent suicide, just a day after complaining to her mother of being bullied by classmates and asking to be home-schooled. Here, a brief guide to her “tragic… gut-wrenching” death:

Who was Ashlynn Conner?
She was one of 23 fifth-graders at Ridge Farm Elementary in Ridge Farm, Ill., a small town (pop. 900) surrounded by corn and soybean fields. An honor roll student, Ashlyn was described by a neighbor as a “good-natured girl.” She hoped to be a veterinarian.

How did she die?
Last Friday, her sister found her unconscious and hanging by a knitted scarf in her closet, dead from an apparent suicide. The day before, Ashlynn had come from school in tears after being teased by some girls at school, a pattern that had apparently intensified in the last two weeks, leading Ashlynn to ask to be home-schooled. Her mom told her daughter that she would meet with the school principal to discuss the matter on Monday.

How was she bullied?
Ashlynn had suffered through classmates calling her “fat and ugly” and a “slut” (a term unfamiliar to her; she asked her mother to explain it). Ashlynn’s 19-year-old cousin, Heidi Paree, says the bullying began years ago, recalling an incident in which Ashlynn got a short haircut around the time that youth-football cheerleading trials were held. “They said she looked like a boy, ‘Who’s that boy over there?’ That kind of thing,” Paree recalls. “It really upset her.” The local sheriff is investigating the role of bullying in Ashlynn’s suicide and questioning students believed to have been involved in the bullying.

How can parents find out if their child is being bullied?
“If you notice a change in your child’s behavior — such as moodiness, trouble sleeping, or a drop in grades — think of bullying as a possible cause,” says Dr. Peter Raffalli, a Children’s Hospital Boston neurologist. Ask children about both bullying and cyber-bullying. Become involved in your kids’ online life from early age — before middle school — so that they get used to being monitored from an early age. If you suspect your child is being bullied, involve the school. “Make sure the school assigns a ‘safe adult’ for your child, someone confidential they can turn to — and make sure you know what the school is doing to keep your child safe.”

Anonymous asked: People should just stop being so judgemental then the world would be a happy place :(

True, true. Start telling that to your own sphere of influence, and get the message across faster!! Together, we can end bullying!!

Anonymous asked: bullying is one of the most atrocious acts any human being can commit!!! >:(

TRUE THAT, anon. No one deserves to be put down for being themselves. We should all recognize that we are equals. We’re all different, but we’re all the same. It takes a while to recognize, be we are all basically human and we should respect that. 

Make Beats Not Beat Downs is an America-based, youth-oriented, non-profit organization that aims to help both bully and bullied through the medium of music. They partner with musicians such as Underoath, The Chariot, Inhale Exhale, Saosin, Cartel and The Messenger. They’ve pledged to not only advertise the org, but to spread awareness of bullying through their music and speaking during concerts and tours. They’ve dedicated themselves to being the voice for the unheard.

 The organization believes in “youth helping youth”; that every kid and young adult has the ability to empathize with their peers. The movement pushes for awareness in youth communities, as they support smaller awareness movements in youth groups. They aim to make the harms of bullying known to all through the medium that everyone can relate to: MUSIC.  

CONTACT THEM! http://www.makebeatsnotbeatdowns.org/