Context: Watch this video.
To the person who posted this video,
When I was a teenager during the ‘90s, I didn’t have access to the internet in the same way you do. I didn’t have the capacity to express myself to an entire world of people. I can’t imagine what it feels like to open yourself up in that way.
This is not to say that I didn’t express myself. I did. And in very public ways. But my public was small, while yours is grand.
I can’t imagine what it was like for you, the moment when you posted this video. Or the moments in which you waited for the first hits to happen. I can’t imagine what it was like when your schoolmates found this video. When your teachers saw it. What it was like when the media picked it up. What it’s like now that it’s gone viral.
You mention that kids have been bullying you since elementary school. I can relate. It started for me at the same time. My second day of school, in fact.
I don’t know if you’re real. This is the internet after all. But for the sake of argument, let’s say you are. I hope you are. Because I have something to tell you.
You’re doing exactly what you need to be doing. You’re asking people to listen. The people who listen may not always be the people you want, but in there, in that big wide world out there, people are listening to you. And they will respond to you if you want them to.
We are out there. We are you, and of you, and will help you.
I would tell you that if you want help, all you have to do is ask.
But you just did.
And that is the hardest, most beautiful thing to do.
Why you can trust Xtra
