Wow Endymion, I understand your notion that generally speaking suicide is considered as artistic form of expression. However I do not agree that artistic would define this specific case.
When things like this happen (ex. other cases of bullying or rape), there are two very distinct issues that people often find difficult to separate from each other. The answers to each of these questions do not have to be the same:
1. Whether the aggressors were morally justified in doing what they did.
2. Whether the victim "brought [the act] upon him or herself". In other words, did the victim consciously make a series of bad decisions that put him or her at an elevated risk of being [bullied or assaulted or raped or killed]?
It seems pretty obvious that the kids in this instance were not morally justified in bullying Amanda because it's always wrong to cause someone else unnecessary physical, mental, or emotional harm. Furthermore, laws against cyberbullying are justified because they give people an extra incentive to not cause massive and unnecessary emotional distress.
At the same time, in this instance, the correct response to question 2 is definitely "yes, she did." She first flashed some random strangers on the internet, then gave another stranger a show, then slept with a guy who already had a girlfriend, then killed herself.
Anyway, I think that if people recognized that there's a difference between issues 1 and 2, there would be a lot less anger in discussions about these kind of events.
On October 18 2012 11:19 airtown wrote: When things like this happen (ex. other cases of bullying or rape), there are two very distinct issues that people often find difficult to separate from each other. The answers to each of these questions do not have to be the same:
1. Whether the aggressors were morally justified in doing what they did.
2. Whether the victim "brought [the act] upon him or herself". In other words, did the victim consciously make a series of bad decisions that put him or her at an elevated risk of being [bullied or assaulted or raped or killed]?
It seems pretty obvious that the kids in this instance were not morally justified in bullying Amanda because it's always wrong to cause someone else unnecessary physical, mental, or emotional harm. Furthermore, laws against cyberbullying are justified because they give people an extra incentive to not cause massive and unnecessary emotional distress.
At the same time, in this instance, the correct response to question 2 is definitely "yes, she did." She first flashed some random strangers on the internet, then gave another stranger a show, then slept with a guy who already had a girlfriend, then killed herself.
Anyway, I think that if people recognized that there's a difference between issues 1 and 2, there would be a lot less anger in discussions about these kind of events.
Its really that people treat her as a perfect angel because of her looks.
There are many cases of suicide by external factors while this case was primarily internal.
And even in bullying, on a elementary school level, there are many situation where the girl didn't chose to bring the fate upon themselves. People would just randomly pick on them for no reason without them doing anything bad.
I do wonder to what extent her video clip reflects what really happened. As sad and tragic as it definitely is, her side of the story seems to be heavily contested by people who say they knew her, yet to believe them without question would be equally ignorant.
It is a truly sad story, as she is the victim of a severe case of bullying. At the same time, I wonder if good parenting by restricting internet access, at age 12 when the cause of the major threat/insult occured, and after her 1st suicide to prevent her further contact with the Aggressor/Offender and further harm. It is indicated that he was contacting, so limiting internet access, and changing her email would have solved that problem. An Excessive method, would be the whole relocation of the family, with completely new email and internet protocols to prevent any and all contact from the Offender, or the Offender publicizing the photo's. Further councelling would also have helped.
I hope the alleged offender is the offender in this case as well, so that he can be brought to justice, and that a sturdy punishment is dealt.
EPT
