I am sure most of you have no idea who Sirdeaner Walker is or what how her life is forever changed. She is a single working parent whom within the last year lost her 11 year old son to suicide. Yes, I said suicide. Her son, Carl, was speaking with his mother one day as she cooked dinner when he said he was going to his room. Sirdeaner assumed he was completing homework or playing video games as he did frequently after school. Imagine her horror when she found him hanging by the neck from an extension cord.
Why would an 11 year old honor roll student, athlete, and active member in his church want to kill himself? I know the answer is only known by Carl, but the fact is Carl was being bullied at school. Children in his school were calling him gay, faggot, and harassing him. Carl was devastated and told his mother. Sirdeaner called the school. The school said it was a part of normal social interaction. Carl continued to endure the bullying.
After Carl's death, Sirdeaner chose not to lie down and let grief consume her. Sirdeaner focused on making schools safe for all children. She met with representatives of GLSEN (Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network) which helped her understand how widespread bullying is in this nation's schools. Sirdeaner is encouraging everyone to sign this petition to get the Safe Schools Improvement Act (H.R. 2262) passed. Please hear Carl's and Sirdeaner's story here. Children are still committing suicide due to harassment and bullying, recently Phoebe Prince committed suicide due to being bullied. This is a national crisis.
This Friday, GLSEN is having a National Day of Silence to raise awareness of Anit-LGBT bullying in schools. If you want to join in raising awareness you can sign up here. GLSEN's National Day of Silence in 2009 fell on what would have been Carl's 12th birthday. Click here to read their support of Carl and his family.
Please for the sake of all our nation's children take the time to read and consider signing this petition.
