Last night a very important topic was tackled on Harry's Law.... cyberbullying and teen suicide. I wasn't happy with the result of the trial. I don't believe that the person who instigated the hate towards a fellow student that led to a suicide should've gotten off scott free.... Listening to the lawyers give the closing arguments, I knew that would be the outcome.... and I guess after having seen so many problems get swept away in the last 3 years I wasn't surprised that would be the outcome either. In my opinion, I don't think the DA should've went for such an extreme charge... that maybe if the jury had been given the option of reckless endangerment or something to that affect they would've been more likely to convict then just having negligent homicide on the table. That charge led right into Harry's closing argument, pointing out that it was in fact a suicide regardless of what factors led up to the actions being taken.
I did find the episode well written however. They showed both sides of the situation in a way that would make anyone stop and "give pause" to reconsider such actions. I had to agree 1000% that society creates a world full of bullies when you have TV analysts, politicians, newspaper writers, etc all attacking anyone they find to be newsworthy or that fits into their own personal/political agendas. How are today's youth supposed to learn the ramifications of their actions when they see it done so often in the community around them where no one is in trouble for behaving cruelly to others? One place to start is in our fictional story-lines.... the writers should've sent a message out there to all the bullies of the world that you must take responsibility for your own behavior. Another, and probably better, place to start is at home with our own kids. Lead by example at home. Don't be a bully yourself and don't tolerate anyone else in your life being a bully. If your kids engage in bully antics.... make sure they see the consequences. On the flip side don't let the warning signs of teen suicide, teen run-aways, and anti-social behavior get past you... no parent should ever be faced with trying to explain why their child took their life. Don't let the anti-social behavior continue - withdrawal is a cry for help... just because you can't hear the cries doesn't mean the cries aren't there... and as Brittany Snow has said, Love is Louder then Hate..... Love your child and help to make the hate go away.......
I did find the episode well written however. They showed both sides of the situation in a way that would make anyone stop and "give pause" to reconsider such actions. I had to agree 1000% that society creates a world full of bullies when you have TV analysts, politicians, newspaper writers, etc all attacking anyone they find to be newsworthy or that fits into their own personal/political agendas. How are today's youth supposed to learn the ramifications of their actions when they see it done so often in the community around them where no one is in trouble for behaving cruelly to others? One place to start is in our fictional story-lines.... the writers should've sent a message out there to all the bullies of the world that you must take responsibility for your own behavior. Another, and probably better, place to start is at home with our own kids. Lead by example at home. Don't be a bully yourself and don't tolerate anyone else in your life being a bully. If your kids engage in bully antics.... make sure they see the consequences. On the flip side don't let the warning signs of teen suicide, teen run-aways, and anti-social behavior get past you... no parent should ever be faced with trying to explain why their child took their life. Don't let the anti-social behavior continue - withdrawal is a cry for help... just because you can't hear the cries doesn't mean the cries aren't there... and as Brittany Snow has said, Love is Louder then Hate..... Love your child and help to make the hate go away.......
Read Ellen's take on the Harry's Law episode
http://www.afterellen.com/TV/harrys-law-tackles-bullying-with-an-episode-about-a-lesbian-teen
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