American Idol this year has connections to two issues dear to my heart: the craniofacial disorders known as cleft lip and palate kids and the cyberbullying they often experience. The connections include a young singer from greater New Orelans, Cameron Richard, and the father of the A.I. winner of last year's runaway hit show Nick Fradiani. Cleft lip and palate. 'A Raceland teen who won over the hearts of many across the country on "American Idol" is bringing attention to Cleft … [Read more...]
Cyberbullying: a level playing field for the disabled.
This transcript of an Academic Minute* (way shorter than a TED Talk) describes a power shift in the dynamic involving children with disabilities. Traditionally, kids with physical—and not so obvious intellectual or emotional—disabilities were bullied more often than average children. In fact, half of all kids with observable differences were picked on—way more than the one-in-five norm for everyday kids.The disabled and the risk of cyberbullying.However, Robin Kowalski from Clemson University … [Read more...]
Easy trick teaches the impact of cyberbullying.
A schooteacher in Britain used an incredibly effective trick to teach kids the powerful effects of cyberbullying.She posted an image of two apples cut in half on her Facebook page. The image communicated a powerful lesson. In front of a classroom, she insulted and continuously dropped one apple on the ground to symbolize the effects of bullying.On the outside it looked just like the apple that was not "bullied," but when split in two, "the apple we'd said unkind words to was bruised and all … [Read more...]
Cyberbullying and R&B star Kehlani’s suicide attempt.
Kehlani, an and R&B superstar from my old stomping ground, Oakland, CA, tried to kill herself this week due to cyberbullying. She'd been "slut shammed," a particularly vicious type of cyberbullyin. She felt –at least for a moment in time–that suicide was the only way to end her pain.Kehlani, a cyberbullying victim.Kotinsky/GettyCyberbullying. A report about a recent study of 350 hospitalized teens claims that 50% of teens teens admitted to the Emergency Room had been cyberbullied in … [Read more...]
Cyberbullying in Oakland concerns Warriors.
Cyberbullying bothers the Golden State Warriors enough to get them to partner with various organizations serving Oakland, CA schools.Home court winners close to NBA record.The amazing pro basketball team is on the brink of setting yet another NBA record. Yesterday they tied the Chicago Bulls' record for the longest home winning streak at 44 straight games. Steph Curry and Klay Thompson generally lead the charge. But what's amazing is that the Warriors function as a true team. The Warriors' Shaun … [Read more...]
Two stars battle bullying & cyberbullying.
Singer Josh Groban.In this report, Groban recalls being bullied for his early interest in musical theatre:"Josh Groban was barely 10 when his parents ignited his love of musical theatre, needing only a VHS copy of "Sunday in the Park with George" and a ticket to "Cats."If only the kids at school had been so supportive."Something happens in that summer between sixth and seventh grades where kids all of a sudden grow way the hell up or not at all," Groban reminisced during a recent interview in … [Read more...]
Boy hassled by bullies in film has new life.
Bullies got more than they bargained for when Alex Libby, one of the students in the 2001 "Bully" documentary, flowered and began to thrive in a new school. Tho Alex still has the flattened nose and Asperger's that triggered much of his earlier bullying, he's a confident happy kid these days.Columnist Tony Leys of the Des Moines Register wrote this follow-up story on Alex recently. Here it is in its entirety: Bullies find unintended consequences of their acts. Alex Libby, who was featured in … [Read more...]