Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover's Mother Speaks Against Bullying on "Ellen"

The tragic consequences of schoolyard bullying and anti-gay taunts remains in the news. On the same day the Boston Globe publishes an editorial on the Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover tragedy, the boy's mother, Sirdeaner L. Walker, appeares on Ellen to tell her story and raise awareness on bullying.

"They were saying the same thing to Carl all the time," the grieving mother tells the openly gay talk show host Ellen DeGeneres. "'You act like you're gay. You must be gay. We think you're gay.' That's what they were calling him. All the time."

The video AFTER THE JUMP.

Sirdeaner Walker begins to describe the bullying at around 2:00. There is also this great response from Ellen: "We should have a class on compassion. You have math, you have English, you have history ... we should teach compassion to other children every single day. It should be required."

Sirdeaner Walker says before Carl would leave for school every day she said, " 'Put on your tough face, Carl.' Because he was always smiling. But he didn't have a tough face. He was a sweet kid."

Last week, another 11-year-boy in suburban Atlanta, Jaheem Herrera, also took his life after months of harassment and anti-gay bullying.

You May have Missed ...
Boston Globe: Carl "Bullied to Death" [R20]
Jaheem Called "Gay" Hours Before Dying [R20]
Anti-Gay Bullying Drives Georgia Boy to Suicide [R20]
ABC News on Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover [R20]
CNN on Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover and Bullying [R20]
Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover's Mother Speaks Out  [R20]
Anti-Gay Bullying Drives Mass. Student to Suicide [R20]
Mother Calls for State Investigation [R20]
Funeral for Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover [R20]

Comments

[Jim]

" 'Put on your tough face, Carl.' Because he was always smiling. But he didn't have a tough face. He was a sweet kid."

Tough = good.
Smile = bad.

==>

Society = done.

[R. O.]

Thanks Rod! It is good that this is getting the attention that it deserves.

[Derrick from Philly]

Still so painful....but you keep on going. And some folks, like Carl's mother, will do something to help. Most of us just keep going...a piece of your heart might be torn away, but you just keep going.

[Brien]

Rod - thank you so much for posting! Sad indeed.

[thegaytekeeper]

I think she is so strong...

[ReggieH]

Tough = good.
Smile = bad.

Sadly this is one of the consequenses of our current 'thug' fixation. It breaks the heart to watch as beautiful smiling happy young men and women put on the mask of 'hardness' as they get older.

Also bravo to you, Rod, for staying on top of this story. Another popular (do I have to say white?) gay blog just discovered this yesterday -- thanks to you.