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 wasn’t ever bullied; I’m grown now, an older guy luckily retired early with money. I should be enjoying life . . . live and let live . . . mind my own concerns.
And yet, the more it goes on, the more I know, the more furious I become.
Picturing the small but pretty little Irish lass, a kind girl with the “infectious laugh,” trying to all alone find her way, to make friends, in a new environ, a cold unwelcoming environ, being surrounded, outnumbered, berated, humiliated, threatened and frightened by larger, meaner, uglier strangers in the informal gangs that took evil pleasure from turning her infectious laugh into trembling tears at every opportunity.
Wolves. She was thrown to the wolves.
This meek, sweet, searching young girl with an enchanting accent, who only asked to be left alone, and if not that, afforded common, normal protection from harm.
Even while the tears were still on her cheeks, the adults in charge, blind and clueless without a shred of integrity, threw her back.
Into the wolves.
America, defended by honorable brave men like my father, a decorated captain in the Army in World War 2, who was wounded battling the Nazis because they were a country who had become bullies, is not supposed to have these types of people.
Not my America.
They are a boil, a sore, a disease, a virus, a cancer, to the fair play, stand up for the underdog, the pushed around & the bullied, America that I believe in.
The wolves even leaped and cackled after their kill, at their subsequent dance (of the macabre), an event that little Phoebe will never have a chance to be invited to by her prince charming like young girls dream of.
There were no prince charmings in that horrid hell of a town, and their torture school
A pox curse. A curse from on high, on all of the dirty, useless, corrupt, pathetic clowns who played their part in this travesty from the enablers to the perpetrators to their defenders. Forever.
22 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.mmccreedy | Sep 05, 2010, 12:40 PM EDT
When I heard of this tragedy, it broght to mind the "No Irish or Dogs Allowed" signs that used to appear in 19th century America. Miss Prince should have been treated like a human being, not ignored to death. I have always been proud of my country, as we welcome immigrants from everywhere who want to share the American dream. In this case it turned out to be an American nightmare. Not only should the school administrators be prosecuted, but so should the parents of the guilty parties and the students who were responsible for this tragedy. I am talking hard time - no probation, no community service, and most certainly, the students should be tried as adults. If this had happened in the Southern United States, you can bet there would not be any delay on prosecuting these cretins.
Chemteach | Aug 30, 2010, 05:58 PM EDT
Yes, it is exasperating that this tragedy continues to replay ala "Groundhog Day". Each succeeding day provides a new opportunity for advanced blame deflection on the part of the central cast. The end is always the same (a vulnerable, but talented young life taken) just the onus is laid on a different culprit from the South Hadley Six, The South Hadley School System, the seemingly paralyzed bystanders, and, regretfully, Phoebe herself. This is ulikely to reach closure until all the criminal and civil litigation works out. The participants perceive too much to be at stake and will go to any ends to avoid blame. A cold reminder of the values divide which penetrates our current society. When I look at this tragedy I see stark insensitivity, pleasure in inflicting pain on another human being, and sociopathic tendencies. Others see it as perfectly normal and expected kid stuff and never the twain shall meet.
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pacmanisback | Apr 19, 2010, 05:44 PM EDT
Sailmaker-I hear you and you are correct in many ways but one. My cousin was knifed to death in Mexico-I dont say Mexico killed him-I say two thugs looking for drug money mugged beat and stapped him mid day as people stood around and watched. Do Not let these people who treated this girl like an animal off the hook by blaming a country. They are responsable for there actions-alone. America did not do anything...the stupid kids did.
THEmrResilient | Apr 16, 2010, 06:20 AM EDT
I could not have said it better myself "A pox curse. A curse from on high, on all of the dirty, useless, corrupt, pathetic clowns who played their part in this travesty from the enablers to the perpetrators to their defenders. Forever."
sailmaker | Apr 12, 2010, 11:31 AM EDT
So many Americans are people like me: we have a long history of Irish lineage of which we are justifiably proud. What makes the story of Phoebe Prince heartbreakingly sad is that she was one of ours, a fellow countryman, even if we are 4th and 5th generation Irish-Americans. She came to our country to learn what America was like, and what we have shown the world is itself heartbreaking. What America did to Phoebe is simply inexcusable. Something in this country has become hard and cynical, insensitive and uncaring, brutal and astonishingly callous, and that's not who we are supposed to be. If there is anything remotely good which might come out of this tragedy, it is the hope that we as Americans will take a long, hard look at ourselves, with the aim of becoming better people than we have shown ourselves to be, particularly with this precious, sad girl who deserved our best, and got the worst we have to offer. I know we are better people; we simply have to prove it to ourselves, and then we can turn to our fellow countrymen, our friends, our relatives, even those in Ireland whom we cannot know but to whom we are answerable as a people, and ask for forgiveness. For Phoebe, and for all the good that it will do, you are in our prayers. Find it in your sweet heart to forgive us, as we pray ourselves to be forgiven.
Skylar5 | Apr 12, 2010, 10:56 AM EDT
I would have loved to have a friend like Phoebe when I was in high school. She was such a sweet girl, and who doesn't love the Irish accent and all things Irish, really. She would have been a joy to hang around with. These kids were soooooooo jealous of her and they went for the jugular. Their abuse persisted because the got away with it...the feeding frenzy became uglier and fiercer driving Phoebe to take her own life. I agree with the post below about the analogy to wolves being insulting. Wolves have more intelligence and integrity than the South Hadley bottom-feeders.
Christisall | Apr 12, 2010, 10:22 AM EDT
I hope the bullies are destroyed.
Christisall | Apr 12, 2010, 10:21 AM EDT
Since bullying destroys through hate-filled actions, then those who bully should be charged with hate crimes, along with their stupid parents.
Christisall | Apr 12, 2010, 10:18 AM EDT
I am so sorry for Phoebe and her family; some welcome to the USA! Without a doubt, these attackers, bulliers, horrible individuals should all do prison time. I remember being bullied day after day in high school and having nowhere to turn. It molded me into a withdrawn human being who felt that she had no worth and must be deserving of the torture.It has affected me to this day and my feelings of worthlessness. As a rule, teachers and administration do nothing to help kids who are bullied. May these bullies find no peace, may they get their just desserts and do prison time, which probably won't happen. And, their parents, in defending their actions, should do time, too. They are the reason their kids are so violent and hateful.
chowdnation | Apr 11, 2010, 07:13 PM EDT
Wolves at least hunt for food and survival. These sub-humans did it for pleasure, don't lump them in with animals, it's an insult to the animals.
tjbbpgobIII | Apr 11, 2010, 06:22 PM EDT
I am sick at heart at what some people in my country have become. I don't know if this girl wasn't warned what to expect or no, but this is more and more the way children (and a lot of adults too) act in the USA and we're a poorer place for it. I wish it'd never happen to anyone, I've young nieces and nephews that I hope never become a part of this crap. I embarresed one of them to wear his pants around his waist like a man but others I can't reach. Only my own are exempt from this crap.
Turnip33 | Apr 11, 2010, 04:45 PM EDT
Stating that Phoebe Prince was thrown to the wolves, is an insult... To wolves. More accurately, Phoebe Prince was thrown into a pack of miserable, inbred mogrels.
Babzuptown | Apr 11, 2010, 02:56 PM EDT
Thank you. This has also left me feeling at a loss. I was harrassed in highschool. I fought back. I was scared, but it was my temperment and so one day when I heard a group of girls was "looking for me" I went looking for them. I walked up to the whole lot of them and said, "who...who wants to fight me?" It was all bravado, I was scared, but I guess it worked. I made it out that day. But the bullying continued. I eventually got kicked out because I defended myself against one of them, whipped her good too, but I got kicked out of school. I wish I had been there to defend Phoebe. I just can't fathom how no one stood up for her. I fuckin' hate bullies and hope these losers get their asses kicked regularly till the end of their days.
geoduck | Apr 11, 2010, 02:52 PM EDT
I take heart in the knowledge that the 'wolves' have no chance for decent quiet lives. whatever plans they were making, whatever hopes they had for the future, are now dust. Wherever they go the tabloid press will be waiting.
billinmiami | Apr 11, 2010, 02:38 PM EDT
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.
MochaJava | Apr 11, 2010, 02:19 PM EDT
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.
paladin | Apr 11, 2010, 01:40 PM EDT
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.
amymrun | Apr 11, 2010, 01:40 PM EDT
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.
PeachPie | Apr 11, 2010, 01:11 PM EDT
Rereading my comment, I hope I made it clear my support is with Ms Prince.
PeachPie | Apr 11, 2010, 01:08 PM EDT
"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.
dv727dv | Apr 11, 2010, 10:07 AM EDT
Amen!