Lessons From Kevin Jennings

By .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on July 22, 2011

 

Kevin Jennings takes the fingers pointing at him and points it in the direction of the critics.  As Deputy Jennings leaves his office of Safe and Drug Free Schools under the umbrella of the United States Department of Education, he leaves with his head high. Despite the critics and negative attention during his time in office, he is proud because of the precedents he set with nationwide attention and awareness of bullying, since his appointment in 2009.  He tells critics, “I’d like you to know that you completely failed.”Coincidently, this statement was a parody on words that was once said to him as a shot to his character because of his sexuality. During his time in office, he was falsely accused of a number of demoralizing acts. Republicans even wrote a letter to the president that accused Kevin Jennings  of “promoting homosexuality.”However, Jennings leaves to become the CEO of Be The Changeand he leaves on his own terms, knowing that at the very least because of his diligence, America looks at the issue of bullying more concretely and with the comprehension that it has and can ultimately take away a life, prematurely.

Kevin Jennings outlook is impressive and very commendable, and in turn his position teaches us an in depth lesson. The culture of bullying is not just within the walls of the schools, but we must pay attention to the culture of bullying that we promote.  It is a disturbing truth to see adults try to bully Deputy Jennings out of his position with false accusations and a number of attempts to assassinate his character in front of the surrounding public.  However, as Jennings moves on to another chapter in his life this summer, he is proud; he outlived the negativity and continued with his mission. I do hope his outlook is a lesson to us all, but also that we realize that respect, emotional support and being civic are some qualities we should all learn and teach, not just to our children, but to each other.

For more information visit http://www.schoolclimate.org/bullybust/