Phoebe Prince was 'thrown to the wolves'

Forrest Haller's article is short and powerful. I second his opening point: I, too, can't resign myself to this abomination, and the more that comes out the more furious I too become. PeachPie, in turn, posts that she will continue raising her voice. I hope that decent people everywhere will do the same, in great numbers, and that those directly and indirectly responsible will be held to account, and no soft soap! Let's stay on this.

It's such a sad tale. A family leaves the emerald Isle in search of a better life in America, as many of the Irish have done. They moved to area with a high Irish population. Instead of being met with friendship, the young victim was harassed and tormented to her grave. The very place responsible for her safety, the school failed her. From the superintendent, the principal, teachers, nurse and librarian, they all looked the other way and let the criminal conspiracy of abuse continue. Some say she should have "womaned" or "manned" up, but do we ask that of battered wives or abused children? The same type of behavior was meted out to the young immigrant, but because it took place in a school was considered ok.

It's just so sad. Such a beautiful looking girl, how could this happen. I just wish someone could have protected her. All I can say is if you feel a young person is struggling, please reach out to them and offer them friendship and guidance.

Yes, you said perfectly! I am so sick of hearing about how she didn't stand up for herself. 9th graders are vulnerable because of their status in highschool, "new kids" are vulnerable because they are not established with teachers coaches etc nor are their families, new kids from another country are especially vulnerable. She was not a loud, field hockey playhing bully like many of her female tormentors, she was slender. As a teacher I know that administrators usually anticipate bullying of freshman and new kids. I have no idea what went wrong in this school but they should have been paying extra attention to her. What in God's name possessed them to hold this stupid dance 2 days after her death???? I am appalled.

Rereading my comment, I hope I made it clear my support is with Ms Prince.

"I had hoped that by now I would’ve mostly let go of this tragic story. I mean, I didn’t know any of these people, and live in another state" I myself, Mr. Haller, could have written this exact statement. What has kept me involved are the supporters of the bullying kids. Their comments like "she was weak" and "deserved it" have kept me going. And the anticipated smear campaigned the attorneys may use has already been reported on this very site. No sir, I'm not going to back out now either. In fact, I intend to assiduously continue raising my voice.

Amen!