My cover of "Into The West"

[_C_]

I did this in memory of everyone who committed suicide due to bullying. I was almost one of them back in the 90's, and I think God made me stay to help the people who are dealing with it right now.

But I won't forget those who thought the only way out was to die. Bullying is evil and it needs to stop.

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLH-9TfV60c[/yt]

 

[RJDiogenes]

Nice work. I completely agree-- bullying sucks. We need a culture that rewards civility and compassion rather than hostility and aggression.

 

[_C_]

*Hug* Very true. I think what's most important is to teach a little empathy. These days it seems like so many kids out there completely lack it, or they just don't care. It's so sad.

Thanks for watching

 

[RJDiogenes]

You're right. It's very sad indeed. But it's good to draw attention to it-- every bit of awareness helps.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

I'm wondering if it isn't a little dangerous dedicating a video to those who've committed suicide, particularly with this song choice. I would worry it would feed into the suicide ideation and romanticism of suicide that is prevalent among a lot of teenagers. I know this was a factor in a double suicide of teenagers in my own community. I listened to your whole video and frankly it worried the crap out of me. If I was thinking suicide was going to be an answer tieing this song to it only makes it look more attractive. Please understand I'm not criticizing your wanting to address the subject of suicide and bullying, very important issues. I'm only replying with this because it upset me quite a bit to see such a tender song of passing, full of romanticism about death tied to this topic. It seems to be encouraging the option, I know that is NOT what you intended. But here are the lyrics if anyone is interested:

http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric....Annie-Lennox/429DFAB0CA2CFCFB48256E2700178396

My life, like many peoples, has been marked by knowing those who have suicided. But the saddest and the most vulnerable have been the teenagers and early adults. There are people I think of every week still, though years have passed. I want so much for them to be older and wiser now. It's a terrible thing to want to go back in time and fix it.

 

[RJDiogenes]

You make a good point about the romanticization of suicide. That's the danger of drawing attention to the subject-- attention is part of the goal. And, since everybody is different, any method of addressing it will possibly encourage somebody.

Yet we must draw attention to it. I don't know what the best way to do that is, or if there is a best way.