"The cruel words of one, are nothing compared to the shouts of many"

A story out of La Crosse Wisconsin has gone viral this week. WKTB's Jennifer Livingston received a hurtful letter from a viewer pointing out flaws in her physical appearance. Here is the video:



Jennifer's response to this letter is the epitome of class and courage. In her response, she states that as public figure, she is susceptible to a certain amount of public scrutiny and criticism. She mentions her "think skin" in potentially hurtful situations, but this was one critique she couldn't brush off. What this man says about Livingston's personal appearance is not only inappropriate but cruel.

In Livingston's response, she discusses how a mean nature is not innate, but learned. It is the responsibility of parents to teach their children to be kind. She calls upon parents to lead by example. Lead them down the path of kindness and tolerance, not that of hate.

Bullying in a serious issue in today's society. Children, teens and even adults have taken their own lives as a result of being bullied. A change needs to happen and it starts with us. Be conscious about your influence. Whether you realize it or not, you are influencing someone. Think before you speak.

One phrase that Livingston said during her response has really resonated with me. "The cruel words of one, are nothing compared to the shouts of many." This is an inspired thought. Here Livingston is saying that we can make a difference and end bullying once and for all. As a whole, we can be louder and more profound in our response to bullying.

Same Love

http://www.dailycal.org/2012/07/19/macklemore-same-love/

I am so inspired and touched by this new song from Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. I am a huge supporter of gay rights, but I don't like to necessarily use the term 'gay rights.' They are simply, rights. The end, that's it. A gay man or a gay woman is just as much a human being and American as a straight person. It hurts my heart to think that there are some Americans out there who cast out so much hate against their fellow Americans.

Many celebrities and musicians are coming out in support of gay rights and marriage equality. It is amazing to see this kind of support for those members of our society who are not treated equally. I will never understand the opposition to this.

Here are the lyrics to this song:

"Same Love"
Ft. Ryan Lewis & Mary Lambert

When I was in the 3rd grade

I thought that I was gay

Cause I could draw, my uncle was

And I kept my room straight

I told my mom, tears rushing down my face

She’s like, “Ben you’ve loved girls since before pre-K”

Trippin’, yeah, I guess she had a point, didn’t she

A bunch of stereotypes all in my head

I remember doing the math like

“Yeah, I’m good a little league”

A pre-conceived idea of what it all meant

For those who like the same sex had the characteristics

The right-wing conservatives think its a decision

And you can be cured with some treatment and religion

Man-made, rewiring of a pre-disposition

Playing God

Ahh nah, here we go

America the brave

Still fears, what, we don’t know

And God loves all His children

Is somehow forgotten

But we paraphrase a book written

35 hundred years ago

I don’t know


And I can’t change

Even if I tried

Even if I wanted to

And I can’t change

Even if I tried

Even if I wanted to

My love, my love, my love

She keeps me warm [x4]



If I was gay

I would think hip-hop hates me

Have you read the YouTube comments lately

“Man that’s gay”

Gets dropped on the daily

We’ve become so numb to what we’re sayin’

Our culture founded from oppression

Yeah, we don’t have acceptance for ‘em

Call each other faggots

Behind the keys of a message board

A word routed in hate

Yet our genre still ignores it

Gay is synonymous with the lesser

It’s the same hate that’s caused wars from religion

Gender and skin color

Complexion of your pigment

The same fight that lead people to walk-outs and sit-ins

It’s human rights for everybody

There is no difference

Live on! And be yourself!

When I was in church

They taught me something else

If you preach hate at the service

Those words aren’t anointed

And that Holy Water

That you soak in

Is then poisoned

When everyone else

Is more comfortable

Remaining voiceless

Rather than fighting for humans

That have had their rights stolen

I might not be the same

But that’s not important

No freedom ’til we’re equal

Damn right I support it

I don’t know


And I can’t change

Even if I tried

Even if I wanted to

And I can’t change

Even if I tried

Even if I wanted to

My love, my love, my love

She keeps me warm [x4]



We press play

Don’t press pause

Progress, march on!

With a veil over our eyes

We turn our back on the cause

‘Till the day

That my uncles can be united by law

Kids are walkin’ around the hallway

Plagued by pain in their heart

A world so hateful

Someone would rather die

Than be who they are

And a certificate on paper

Isn’t gonna solve it all

But it’s a damn good place to start

No law’s gonna change us

We have to change us

Whatever god you believe in

We come from the same one

Strip away the fear

Underneath it’s all the same love

About time that we raised up


And I can’t change

Even if I tried

Even if I wanted to

And I can’t change

Even if I tried

Even if I wanted to

My love, my love, my love

She keeps me warm [x4]
]

Love is patient, love is kind

Love is patient (not cryin’ on Sundays)

Love is kind (not crying on Sundays) [x5]