It happened January 19th. A loving young man named Jaden Bell hung himself in La Grande, Oregon. On a playground. He was 15.
I haven't been able to find that much information on Jaden. I read an article about a candlelight vigil attended by over 200 before he was taken off of life support. Many fellow high school students described him as loving and compassionate.
There was also talk of Jaden being bullied. One article said that he had begged his parents to allow him to be home schooled and that he had recently asked school administrators for help.
I keep thinking of how much this world needs another loving and compassionate person.
From Jaden's mother: “The next time you are thinking of being unkind to someone, think to yourself, if that person was a member of your family, would you want them treated like that?” Don’t treat them like that.” There is so much unkindness in this world.
I have written about bullying and hatred and being kind. This morning, as I think about Jaden walking to that playground, I don't know what else to write.
Well, maybe just some reminders:
We have the power to speak out against hatred and bullying.
We have the power to speak out against hate speech, regardless of who it is coming from.
We have the power to love one another.
Thank you for reading. Think about Jaden today.
This post originally appeared on Dan Hanley's website The Gay Vegans. Republished with permission.
