Sixth-grader Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover (at right) had been playing football and basketball at the New Leadership Charter School in Springfield, Massachusetts trying to make friends. But the new kid had become the target for bullies. According to his mother, Carl had been harassed and bullied for months on end for his clothing and was called “gay” (among other things, I’m sure) and threatened with physical harm.
Though the young man never identified as gay or queer in any way, he was pushed and pushed. His mother repeatedly asked teachers and school administrators to intervene but help was not forthcoming. Solutions like making the young man eat lunch with a bully to foster a relationship did no good. Unfortunately, Carl got pushed to the breaking point and hung himself.
His mother’s repeated pleas for help are now pleas for attention to bullying and the problems it can cause in children, whether they are questioning their sexuality or not.
“If anything can come of this, it’s that another child doesn’t have to suffer like this and there can be some justice for some other child. I don’t want any other parent to go through this,” she said.
Let’s all hope this young man’s tragically short life will lead to awareness and understanding for all bullied youth.
Thanks to GLSEN.org
on Apr 10th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Heartbreaking.
on Apr 10th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Tragic news to hear about one so young and innocent. I hope Carl Joseph’s mother can sue the school district upside down and crossways… The school was negligent in 100+ different ways. Just when we think that society has become more educated about sexuality, something so adverse as this occurs.
So sad.
on Apr 10th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Odd hearing this about Massachussetts. I say sue the school and district for whatever it has, as well as the parents of those children who taunted this poor kid. This is disgusting in every single way possible known to man kind. This kid didn’t deserve such crude shit.
on Apr 11th, 2009 at 6:40 am
Oh my god that is so sad. 6th grade??!!!! Sadly, I have seen this more and more with kids who bully about clothing, and when its a black child its typically other black children or teenagers who are making the accusation. There is that stereotype that if you are a black male who is clean cut, intelligent, and wears clothes anything other than looking like a thugged out, pants hangin off your ass, wife beater mess…then you must be gay.
I thought schools were supposed to be taking a tougher stance on bullying? I don’t know if a lawsuit will help (but I would be all for the mother trying), but the school at the least should send all of its staff to some kind of bully training and implement a system should a student make repeated claims of harrassment. This is so sad. This story really upsets me.
on Apr 11th, 2009 at 11:33 am
on Apr 12th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Hatred is taught and quite often bullies have low self-esteem. Do those who pushed Carl over the edge feel any remorse?
on Apr 15th, 2009 at 11:29 am
This is exactly why the world needs more exposure to the real lives of real gay people, and less exposure to gossip, speculative news and hottest jock stories.
on Apr 21st, 2009 at 5:22 pm
What is it with you people who want to sue, sue, sue!!!! Is that going to make the boy come back to his parents ? Why don’t the parents of the bullies come forward and take responsibility for their poor parenting skills ! Everyone wants to pass the buck and blame the next person. My heart aches for the parents of that beautiful boy, he has a smile that is forever gone. Shame on the people who allowed this to happen to him .
on May 15th, 2009 at 8:37 am
My son suffered the same thing. His teacher could NOT have missed what was happening but nothing was done. When it came to light and I got independent verification from other children in my son’s class, I contacted the parents. I was then bullied by the child’s father (who harassed me at work) and the teacher told the parents that their son was “a good boy.”
Luckily, I was able to afford to move my son to a local private school, but he still suffers the psychological damage from the bullying. He was only 8 years old when he first threatened suicide. He is 10 now, and is on the road to recovery.
Unfortunately, I hear now and then that the original bully is still bullying other kids. The kids not bullied are afraid to break ranks because they are afraid they will be the next victim. The victim’s parents try to get the school to do something, but to no avail. And this is at a school with comprehensive bullying prevention programs.
on Oct 11th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Will something like this every stop!! How many young men and women are currently going through what Carl went through? I think those responsible for the bullying should be held accountable!! A lot of teachers know, what is going on in their schools, especially if they see the same kids everyday!! I am a police officer and I come in contact with kids on a daily basis and I know which kids are bullying other kids and what kids are delinquents!!! And you are correct Paul, bullies do suffer from low self esteem and pick on those individuals who can not stand up for themselves!!