After Suicide of Tyler Clementi, Ellen DeGeneres Speaks Out Against Bullying

By PopEater Staff Posted Oct 1st 2010 08:02AM

Ellen DeGeneres was so devastated by the suicide of Rutgers freshman Tyler Clementi, an 18-year old Rutgers freshman who wound up being outed during a ruthless Internet prank, that she took a moment to speak about against the growing crisis of bullying in this country.

"He was outed as being gay on the Internet and he killed himself. Something must be done," says DeGeneres. "This needs to be a wakeup call to everyone that teenage bullying and teasing is an epidemic in this country and the death rate is climbing."

Ellen also mentions other teens lost -- Seth Walsh, Asher Brown and Billy Lucas.

"One life lost in this senseless way is tragic. Four lives lost is a crisis," she says

"My heart is breaking for their families, for their friends and for our society that continues to let this happen ... We can't let intolerance and ignorance take another kid's life."

Ellen continues: "I want anyone out there who feels different and alone to know that I know how you feel. There is help out there. You can find support in your community. If you need someone to talk to or if you want to get involved, here are some organizations doing great work." Her Website lists the resources as well.

Rutgers freshmen students Dharun Ravi, 18, of Plainsboro, N.J., and Molly Wei, 18, of Princeton, N.J., have been charged with two counts each of invasion of privacy for using a camera to view and transmit a live image of Clementi on Sept. 19. Clementi, a resident of Ridgewood, N.J., was a freshman at the university and Ravi's roommate.

his undated photo from Facebook shows Tyler Clementi.

Ravi has also been charged with two additional counts of invasion of privacy for allegedly attempting to use the camera to view and transmit another encounter involving Clementi (on the left in his Facebook photo) on Sept. 21.

Rutgers police said their probe began after they learned that a camera had been placed in a student's dorm room without his permission.

Clementi is believed to have jumped off the George Washington Bridge on Thursday. His wallet was found on the bridge and his car was located nearby.

Tags: ellen degeneres

Comments

(53)

Friday 01 October

By vicvod

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Don't care much for Ellen or her show, but if her advice can save a young person's life, or even make it easier ; good for her! I don't get being gay, but it doesn't bother me!

By CHICK

THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR BULLYING THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FAMILY'S OF THESE YOUR PEOPLE GO THROUGH BESIDES LOSING A LOVING CHILD. WE LOST A GRANDSON 5 MO AGO DON'T KNOW WHY HE WAS A GOOD KID, I WOULD NEVER HAVE THROUGH THAT WOULD HAPPEN WE ARE STILL IN SHOCK, AND STILL WITH NO EXPLANATION. HE IS MISSED BY HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

By pcguardmomma

It's not all about you and your feelings. It's about an awful trend, not only in college and adult life, but high school and middle school.

Too many young people are bullied for being different - food allergies, sexual orientation, living in the wrong neighborhood, when does it have to get bad enough for people to wake up and step in when they see this stupidity!!!

People disgust me that feel that their way of living is the only right way and it's ok to bully someone "to death".

UNBELIEVABLE!!!

By Marc

SLASH--you are a fool. The onlt thing you got right is that they ARE people. They deserve death because they are not like you? What kind of world do you think you live in? It is over run with people who are not like you [maybe that is a good thing]. Get real. Besides statistics show that a member of your family is gay...you wish people you love to die?

By Toby Ferguson

Who would care if it bothered you? What two consenting adults do together is noone's business but theirs.

Thursday 02 December

By mary

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People shouldn't be so judgemental about other people..We all were put on this earth to cohabitate together...we are all gifts from God...

By Diana

This is such a shame for lives to be lost in such a way. No matter how someone chooses to live their lives, it is between them and God above. We are not here to place judgement on anyone. As far as the bullying issue, this is taking a serious problem to dangerous heights. What a tremendous tragedy.

By DORAHELEN

I CAN ONLY GUESS HOW HORRIBLE THIS YOUNGMAN FELT - WE NEED TO BE MORE UNDERSTANDING....THERE ARE MILLIONS OF "GAYS" IN THIS WORLD AND SO MANY LIVE IN HIDDING. WE ARE BORN WHO WE ARE - I REALLY FEEL SAD - THERE ARE "GAYS" IN HOLLYWOOD THAT I'M SURE WE WOULD NEVER THINK WOULD BE.....SO WHAT!!!!!!! THE STRONG ONES SURVIVE - IT CAN'T BE EASY........LIFE IS TOUGH....

By CharleyB

What is wrong with our world??? It's so sad. There are so many situations that don't make the news. So many lives ending before their time. Why can't we all just get along or agree to disagree and just BE!

By Sue

No, ignorant hate like yours drives them to despair. Here's a concept, treat people the way you want to be treated.

By jacgttbrg

This is NOT JUST about the young man being gay; I believe that it Ravi would have posted it either way.(He was looking to make fun of this young man, why? we may never know.) It is about our culture acceptance of bullying. There have been other children who were straight that have been bullied to DEATH. So the question is: What are WE going to do to stop this? We must stop accepting the behavior of bullying and demand those who do are bully be punished

By anon

At my son's HS they make a big show of being intolerant about bullying yet do nothing about it. Their biggest concern right now that get the most in school suspensions are the I *heart* Boobies bracelets that the kids wear. So glad they have their priorities straight. Pathetic and ridiculous.

By Kathy

Everyone should watch MTV's "IF YOU REALLY KNEW ME". This was an f'ed up situation and I hope charges are brought against the bullies.

By SHILOH

WISHING AND HOPING THAT WE AS HUMANS LEARN SOMEDAY TO ACCEPT EVERYONE WITHOUT JUDEMENT LIFE IS HARD ENOUGH WITH OUT THE EXTRA PRAYING FOR THE YOUNG MAN FAMILY.....AS WELL ALL INVOLVED)

By Hello, SALLY!

The ones who caused this boy's death have much to account for and hopefully will be properly punished. However, people need to realize life is tough. It is not a homo/hetro situation it's about surviving life. If you think people will change overnight into nice Stepford People, you're wrong. It's against the grain of human nature. There will always be people who will exploit, use and manipulate others. But they can't find a victim if you stand against it, stop glorifing it in the movies and tv and if you really want to stop it, drop the whole "gangsta" routine. If a person is going to be thin skinned, they will get hurt. Protect yourself, don't be vunerable.

By Donna

It is so sad. My daughter is 16yrs old and was finally forced to move away and live with my family because people were just relentless. A girl put meds in my daughters food at school and received a one day school suspension. This was after having a website that said my daughter should die. The principal told us not to go to authorities because it would be harder on my daughter. And that we didn't know the intentions of this other girl. REALLY?! My daughter attempted another school in the area but would still see the kids during sporting events. Maybe I should have moved also, but with the economy I couldn't find a job. She is so happy now and grades are off the charts.
To this day, I would like to bully the principal that did NOTHING

Saturday 02 October

By kensuto

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That Principal needs to be reported to the Superintendent of Schools for his/her lack of sound judgement and professionalism.

By JD

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Its time for parents teach children how to deal with criticism , and not to get hurt by someone to say something critical about you.
Build your kids stronger and not weaker and dont put them on antidepressants , there always gonna be someone who will say something bad to us ,adults or kids , we just have to get stronger than them and tell them F... them self and leave us alone , and live our life happy the way we are .Tell your kids they are much better than people who criticize the others. Only looser and ignorant criticize , smart don't.

JD,
This not about one kid being critical or mean to another kid. While I agree that we need to build up self-esteem in children, we also need to teach empathy as well. In these attacks it more than one kid it is a pack of them and they show no mercy. I don't care how much your parent tell you not to take it personally and your a better person then them, it is crushing to have to deal with it everyday. Honestly it your attitude that gives these bullies their strength because your blaming the victim not the bullies.

By tipcontrol

It is so hard to find happiness in this world that however you can acheive it without being hurtful to others is worth it. Who is to say what is "right" or "wrong". The constittution states "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". He stole this young mans life. There is no excuse for this act. Perhaps he needs to settle his own sexuality with himself.

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