Bullied To Death

A teenage girl’s suicide raises questions of culpability for internet bullies in this investigation by the criminologist and true crime author. On September 5, 2015, in a public park in LaVergne, Tennessee, fourteen-year-old Sherokee Harriman drove a kitchen knife into her stomach as other teens watched in horror. The coroner ruled it a “suicide.” But was it? Or was it a crime perpetuated by other teens who had bullied her? Sherokee’s tragic death created a media frenzy focused more on sensationalism than finding the truth. Meanwhile the community of LaVerge sought answers to questions about who, if anyone, should be held criminally responsible for bullying. Criminologist Judith A. Yates peels back the distorting layers of social media and news coverage to examine a timely question with far-reaching implications: was Sherokee Harriman bullied to death?

On December 29, 2013, Chris Mackney sat in his parked car, put a rifle underneath his chin, and blew his head off. It was the end of a long and tortuous process where he was legally bullied to death by the divorce and criminal court system. His story didn't start or end there. It started in Texas when a man named Sam Degelia, Jr. was murdered. It ended when his ex-wife attempted to copyright and remove all his writings after his death from the internet. Now, the story behind the suicide note read by millions will finally be told.

"Bullied to Death, It almost happened to me" touches on the perilous years that lead from childhood to maturity, for gay people, for gay people who are relentlessly and mercilessly bullied...simply because of who and what they are, for what they did not choose to be.It is sad I think that in the 21st century a book such as this one was needed. I have come to call homophobia the final prejudice.I have been told that a book like this may help to save lives. If it helps to save one life, to prevent another gay suicide then I have accomplished part of what I have set out to do.I am hoping also that this book will open the eyes and ears of parents of gay children, teachers who have gay students in their classes and guidance counselors as well, as this book promotes good mental health for gay teenagers and gay people in the workplace as well.Increased self-awareness and the fact that people are connected and whether we are gay or straight, we share common ground. This book puts to rest the myth that being gay is bad and something that a person, when they realize they are gay contemplates suicide. There is a brotherhood of support out there for us, gay diversity exists within a diverse society, and this book proves that there are many aspects to us and who we are.Masculinity and femininity are defined by our culture and by society, but we are just as masculine and feminine in our own ways no matter what society deems or tries to bully us into believing. Being gay is just one very important aspect of what makes us who we are. The bully has just as many deficits, if not more, which is what causes them to become bullies. Inwardly they do not know how to define themselves...

This book chronicles the harrowing story of a young Mexican-American man's journey through 8- years of physical, mental and emotional bullying in elementary, middle and high school. He was not only bullied by white kids, but also Mexican students who taunted him for being born in the U. S. This young boy tells of having a gun put to his head by a bully who told him, "Today is your last day." He further reports having no one to help him deal with his pain, fear and desperation. He finally sought solace by joining a gang to protect him which led him to become a gang recruiter. He suffered from depression, cutting and frequent suicidal thoughts. He was saved by Hey U.G.L.Y. - Unique Gifted Lovable You, a nonprofit organization that empowers youth to be part of the solution of bullying and suicide. Content on the HeyUGLY.org website, and in their school assemblies, have been saving the lives of youth who are suicidal. His life was also saved by the love of beautiful white woman who stood by him and has, as of this writing, blessed him with three wonderful children. Today he is an involved husband and father. He sits on the board of directors of Hey U.G.L.Y. and is making music to inspire everyone to love and embrace each other. His rap name is Lil Sylnc, pronounced silence. He chose that name...first, because of his personal silence during all of his pain and bullying; second, because of his 'no fists up' motto in combating societal ills like bullying and racism through words and action instead of fists; and third, to silence ourselves when listening to others so we can deeply hear them in order to really be of help. He has started a movement called Color The World for people to embrace everyone's colors. He wrote this book to gives guidance to anyone who may be stuck in that bullying cycle to help them not only survive, but thrive.

Bullying can cause a multitude of emotions in the victims life. This book takes you an emotional journey of one young lady as she deals with all of the bullies in her life.

Steve struggles with the nasty effects of being bullied in school and at home. He desperately searches for help but only finds more ridicule and shame showered down upon him. The severe mental pain pushes him to the razor's edge of ending his life too soon. His journey, however, also includes opportunities to meet interesting people who teach him valuable life lessons. Steve eventually applies those lessons and discovers a new hope for a happier life. It's a roller-coaster story of misery, happiness, disparity, joy, love lost, and love fulfilled. Prepare to cry, to laugh, and to learn what bullying does to the human heart and mind.