Follow Zap2it:
President Obama's 'It Gets Better' message for bullied youth
Twitter
GooglePresident Barack Obama has recorded his own "It Gets Better" message for bullied youth:
Like all of you, I was shocked and saddened by the deaths of several young people who were bullied and taunted for being gay and who ultimately took their own lives. As a parent of two daughters it breaks my heart. It's something that just shouldn't happen in this country. We've got to dispel this myth that bullying is a normal rite of passage, that it's some inevitable part of growing up. It's not. We have an obligation to ensure that our schools are safe for all of our kids.
To every young person out there, you need to know that there are caring adults who can help. I don't know what it's like to be picked on for being gay. But I do know what it's like to grow up feeling that sometimes you don't belong. It's tough. For a lot of kids, the sense of being alone, or apart, can just wear on you. And when you're teased or bullied, it can seem like somehow you brought it on yourself for being different or for not fitting in with everybody else.
But what I want to say is this -- you are not alone. You didn't do anything wrong. You didn't do anything to deserve being bullied. And there is a whole world waiting for you filled with possibilities. There are people out there that love you and care about you just the way you are.
So if you ever feel like because of bullying, because of what people are saying, that you're getting down on yourself, you've gotta make sure to reach out to people you trust. Whether it's your parents, teachers, folks that you know care about you just the way you are, you gotta reach out to them. Don't feel like you are in this by yourself.
The other thing you need to know is things will get better. And more than that, in time you're going to see that your differences are a source of pride and a source of strength. You'll look back on the struggles you faced with compassion and wisdom, and that's not just gonna serve you, but it'll help you get involved and make this country a better place. It'll mean that you're more likely to help fight discrimination. Not just against LGBT Americans, but discrimination in all its forms.
It means you'll be more likely to understand personally and deeply why it's so important as adults that we set an example in our own lives and that we treat everybody with respect. That we are able to see the world through other people's lives and and stand in their shoes. That we never lose sight of what binds us together.
As a nation, we're founded on the belief that all of us are equal and that each of us deserves the freedom to pursue own our version of happiness, to make the most of our talents, to speak our minds, to not fit in. Most of all, to be true to ourselves. That's the freedom that enriches all of us, that's what America is all about. And every day, it gets better.
Follow Zap2it and Zap2it Andrea on Twitter and Zap2it on Facebook for the latest TV, movie and celebrity news.
Follow Zap2it on Twitter and Zap2it on Facebook for the latest news and buzz
Related pics
Zap2it Elite Sheet Must Reads from the Web's In-Crowd
Featured Partners
I dont think anyone should be persecuted for their sexual identity. We must be honest and shine a light on the fact that the President does not believe in equality for people who are not straight.
In an interview you can find on YouTube before the election he was asked if gay people should be allowed to marry and his response was:
"I look at it in the same light as what my parents went through in the 60's. If I was a part of the civil rights fight back then I would not have fought for my parents rights to be married but he would instead have fought for black civil rights in the area of Jobs and their ability to live where they wanted"
HIS WORDS!
He told a gay host in San Fransisco that he would rather that his parents were not married when asked about gay rights.
To negate your own existence is more extreme then any tyrant/dictator or madman.
THINK VERY HARD he said he would rather he was not born.
This is the same President that had to have a beer party after accusing a honored police Sargent who volunteered in the black community of racism.
Everyone should have known that any man who calls his grandmother a typical white racist HIS WORDS while she is dieing was not a person to elect.
BE HONEST he is the first Black President YES! but he is neither a good man or a good leader for our country. AND YOU KNOW THIS IN YOUR HEART
Yo, Barry! How about worrying a little more about the economy, huh? Under your leadership, it's not getting better.
Winning a war or two might be nice, too.
deep down in my heart i feel Barack Obama is a wonderful person. HockeyGuy take your meds, i think you're late again!!!!!
Why is this on this site, its got nothing to do with Entertainment news. I'm little tired of the increase of political crap on this site.
Why is Zap2It putting more and more political crap on this site? If I want news, I'll go to a news site! Entertainment is what this site was about.
Ditto Mr. Jingo.
Mr. President, if you spent as much time on the economy, as you do flying around the county in AF1 stumping for your Dem friends I think we'd see some light at the end of this tunnel!
What gets better, his STD?
Worse prez ever.
God help us.
Sooooooooogay.
The focus of this article was on the suicide of of several young people for being openly gay. I believe the Presidents message is heartfelt but hypocritical. His administrations feelings about openly gay people in the military says it all. He has shown himself to be just as conservative in his values as most Republicans. It is sad that tragedy such as this has to occur for the President to say a few heartfelt words. His own viewpoints in this and many areas is what leads to hate crimes. I do believe because he is of mixed parentage he should have a lot more insight than he has shown. He was too busy to attend his mothers funeral, and has expressed ambivalent feelings toward his grandparents. He has rarely spoken of a relationship with his father before he died. When it comes to his religious beliefs i am totally lost. I am sure many sexual minorities voted him in because he is a minority also. I know as a minority i expected a lot more from him. I never know his true stance on any issue, and that should not be for a President. I like many minorities voted him not for only his spoken words but the unspoken words, as to what a black man in America should stand for.I felt a tremendous victory the day he won. It was victorious for all of those not part of the status quo. This includes: all races, socioeconomic classes, minorities of all sorts, including women and the poor. I am quite disillusioned by this administration because i did expect more. May the families of these young people find some type of solace after such a horrific event. My prayers go out to all the family members of these young people who left us to soon. I pray that we all learn from this, especially when we go to judge another for a difference we don't like. Remember to judge not unless you want to be judged in the same way. Let us teach our children how to love not hate, there is enough of that around. I wonder who will be the next target group?