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Letter to Sally Kern from Oklahoma teenager

Discussion in 'Current Events, World News, & LGBT News' started by beckyg, Mar 16, 2008.

  1. beckyg

    beckyg Guest

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    This made me cry!!


    > Be sure to read Tucker's letter to Oklahoma Representative Kern. This
    > is a letter to her from a young man whose mother was killed in the
    > terrorist attack on the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.
    >
    > ************ ******** ******** ******** ******** ******** *******
    >
    > Oklahoma Representative, Sally Kern, in a recent meeting
    > with some of her constituents, equated homosexuality with
    > terrorism and malignant cancer. She was recorded saying that*
    > *“Homosexuality is a bigger threat to our nation than
    > terrorism or Islam.” She continued that “According
    > to God words, it is not the right kind of lifestyle….Gays
    > are infiltrating city councils…. It’s deadly and its spreading,
    > and it will destroy our young people, and it will destroy
    > this nation.”
    >
    > *A letter to Sally Kern from a senior in high school in Oklahoma
    >
    > *Today my nephew attempted to deliver a letter to Sally Kern but was
    > stopped by a highway patrol man. With his permission I am distributing
    > the letter to all news stations and thought I would include it here.
    >
    > Maybe we can all stand to learn a listen from this smart, loving, young
    > man. He more than most has reason to hate. He lost his mother, my
    > sister, in the Murrah Building bombing.
    >
    > Elizabeth
    >
    > Rep Kern:
    > On April 19, 1995, in Oklahoma City a terrorist detonated a bomb that
    > killed my mother and 167 others. 19 children died that day. Had I not
    > had the chicken pox that day, the body count would've likely have
    > included one more. Over 800 other Oklahomans were injured that day and
    > many of those still suffer through their permanent wounds.
    >
    > That terrorist was neither a homosexual or was he involved in Islam. He
    > was an extremist Christian forcing his views through a body count. He
    > held his beliefs and made those who didn't live up to them pay with
    > their lives.
    >
    > As you were not a resident of Oklahoma on that day, it could be
    > explained why you so carelessly chose words saying that the homosexual
    > agenda is worst than terrorism. I can most certainly tell you through my
    > own experience that is not true. I am sure there are many people in your
    > voting district that laid a loved one to death after the terrorist
    > attack on Oklahoma City. I kind of doubt you'll find one of them that
    > will agree with you.
    >
    > I was five years old when my mother died. I remember what a beautiful,
    > wise, and remarkable woman she was. I miss her. Your harsh words and
    > misguided beliefs brought me to tears, because you told me that my
    > mother's killer was a better person than a group of people that are
    > seeking safety and tolerance for themselves.
    >
    > As someone left motherless and victimized by terrorists, I say to you
    > very clearly you are absolutely wrong.
    >
    > You represent a district in Oklahoma City and you very coldly express a
    > lack of love, sympathy or understanding for what they've been through.
    > Can I ask if you might have chosen wiser words were you a real Oklahoman
    > that was here to share the suffering with Oklahoma City? Might your
    > heart be a bit less cold had you been around to see the small bodies of
    > children being pulled out of rubble and carried away by weeping firemen?
    >
    > I've spent 12 years in Oklahoma public schools and never once have I had
    > anyone try to force a gay agenda on me. I have seen, however, many gay
    > students beat up and there's never a day in school that has went by when
    > I haven't heard the word **** slung at someone. I've been called gay
    > slurs many times and they hurt and I am not even gay so I can just
    > imagine how a real gay person feels. You were a school teacher and you
    > have seen those things too. How could you care so little about the
    > suffering of some of your students?
    >
    > Let me tell you the result of your words in my school. Every openly gay
    > and suspected gay in the school were having to walk together Monday for
    > protection. They looked scared. They've already experienced enough hate
    > and now your words gave other students even more motivation to sneer at
    > them and call them names. Afterall, you are a teacher and a lawmaker,
    > many young people have taken your words to heart. That happens when you
    > assume a role of responsibility in your community. I seriously think
    > before this week ends that some kids here will be going home bruised and
    > bloody because of what you said.
    >
    > I wish you could've met my mom. Maybe she could've guided you in how a
    > real Christian should be acting and speaking.
    >
    > I have not had a mother for nearly 13 years now and wonder if there were
    > fewer people like you around, people with more love and tolerance in
    > their hearts instead of strife, if my mom would be here to watch me
    > graduate from high school this spring. Now she won't be there. So I'll
    > be packing my things and leaving Oklahoma to go to college elsewhere and
    > one day be a writer and I have no intentions to ever return here. I have
    > no doubt that people like you will incite crazy people to build more
    > bombs and kill more people again. I don't want to be here for that. I
    > just can't go through that again.
    >
    > You may just see me as a kid, but let me try to teach you something. The
    > old saying is sticks and stones will break your bones, but words will
    > never hurt you. Well, your words hurt me. Your words disrespected the
    > memory of my mom.
    >
    > Your words can cause others to pick up sticks and stones and hurt others.
    >
    > Sincerely
    >
    > Tucker
     
  2. Alexander

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    That's beautiful + really sad.
     
  3. kevinx519

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    i have a great deal of respect for this guy and what hes done. shedding light on these inhumane situations can only allow our acceptance to progress. props to you tucker, wherever you may be.
     
  4. Hepcat

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    That's very moving.
     
  5. divadarya

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    Wow...that kid really brought it. I think it shows how any agenda based on hatred is bankrupt at the core, and I hope Rep. Kern is held accountable for her hateful speech.
    D
     
  6. BreakingGlass

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    That was very touching and sad. I hope Sally gets disciplined for her hateful rant.
     
  7. biisme

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    that is so sad and elegantly written

    she better issue a retraction
     
  8. trumpetkid23

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    Wow. Just...wow.
     
  9. mcrteenagers

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    That was incredibly sad and touching.

    http://www.victoryfund.org/files/listening.html

    Wikipedia:
    Ellen Calls Sally:
    http://daytimetalk.com/2008/03/13/ellen-degeneres-calls-sally-kern-video/

    Contact the Speaker here: [email protected]
    Contact the Sally Kern here: [email protected]

    Take action.
     
  10. sdc91

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    That's a great letter. Does anyone know if they've been reading it on air?
     
  11. TyraBanksIsFierce

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    it probably won't affect her in any way, she seems pretty heartless =/
     
  12. TriBi

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    I saw this somewhere else - and thought it was incredibly well (and poignantly) written.

    It certainly demonstrates the difference between 'heartfelt' and 'heartless'.
     
  13. Jim1454

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    Thanks for posting this Becky. It was extremely well written.
     
  14. Tim

    Tim
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    This was very well written. Both beautiful and sad at the same time. I hope Sally Kern gets this message.
     
  15. beckyg

    beckyg Guest

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  16. pirateninja

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    I'm seriously hoping that it is authentic. For one thing, if it is real, then Kern has got a load of shit coming her way. If it isn't, then although it gives a good message, it's a little in poor taste.
     
  17. Thatsit

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    That was a touching, moving, well written letter :redface::o:eusa_clap
     
  18. NathanHaleFan

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    Wow, that really hit it home. I especially liked the final two paragraphs, about the "sticks and stones." Because it's true: words can hurt, and they can rally others to pick up sticks and stones in war with others.
     
    #18 NathanHaleFan, Mar 17, 2008
    Last edited: Mar 17, 2008
  19. Tim

    Tim
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    Unaware of when I ever subscribed to this, but just got this in my email for those who didn't >.>
     
  20. Jim1454

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    Even if it isn't, it was well written and relevant. People did lose their parent, aunts, uncles, friends in that bombing - and I'm sure the opinion voiced in that letter is shared by many of those people. I actually forwarded that note to her email address (the one provided in this thread) along with my own comments:

    Madame,

    I wanted you to know that I’ve listened to your speech and found your line of thinking very disturbing. When there are so many more serious and relevant things for a lawmaker such as you to be concerned with. I really fail to see how accepting gays and lesbians poses a threat to the Unites States of America. Perhaps you could elaborate, as I understand that you are standing by your comments and have offered no apologies for them.

    When I hear politicians from the United States talk like this, I thank God that I live in Canada.

    I’m certain you’ve received this, but I thought it was worth forwarding it to you again. This letter was written by a young man from your state who lost his mother in the bombing of the state building. I thought it was very well written.

    > Rep Kern:
    > On April 19, 1995...

    I’ll watch with great interest the next time you are up for re-election.

    I really wish you no harm. What I wish for you is love and tolerance and acceptance. Life is really too short and too precious to waste it hating others. If there is anything I can do to help you understand the plight of gays and lesbians, I’d be more than happy to do that.