After Ellen saw a powerful speech by 14-year-old Graeme Taylor, she invited him here to talk about what motivated him to speak out for equality.
Next Story: Web Exclusive: Taio Cruz at the AMAs
Funny Signs
What's Wrong with These Photos?
Do You Need a Car?
Sophia Grace & Rosie
After Ellen saw a powerful speech by 14-year-old Graeme Taylor, she invited him here to talk about what motivated him to speak out for equality.
Next Story: Web Exclusive: Taio Cruz at the AMAs
I am Graeme Taylor's father. Thank you to the many people who have taken time to say kind and congratulatory remarks about Graeme and the short speech he made at a school board meeting and for his appearance on Ellen's show. Thanks, too, to Ellen and her staff. They treated Graeme with utmost respect, and they could not have been more helpful or generous. Maybe best of all, I personally found the fun and loving spirit that Ellen embodies on camera during the show to be genuine and is reflected by the many people behind the scenes who work to make the show the success that it is.
That being said, I would like to respond the woman who, in a comment above, attempted to discredit what my son did. I am a 34-year teacher in a district contiguous to the district in which the incident in question occurred. Each school year, on the first day of school, I inform my eighth grade students that I am entrusted by their parents or guardians to account for their whereabouts and to ensure they are safe.
With that in mind, I add that if anyone chooses to be disrespectful to me or anyone else in the classroom, I will call them on it. I make it clear that I will not ever look the other way, because I want everyone in the room to feel safe and welcome. I say these same words to my students' parents and guardians when they come to open house later in September. I can also be seen and heard saying something similar in my school district's promotional video.
If a student walked into my classroom wearing a Confederate flag belt buckle, I would ask her to remove it because, to many, the Confederate flag is a symbol of hate not unlike the Nazi swastika. It makes people feel unsafe.
If a student proclaimed in my classroom that he doesn't accept gays because of his religion, I would call him on it. In calling him on it, there would always exist a chance that the situation could become volatile, but to take the path of least resistance and look the other way, would only serve to endorse a statement that makes people feel unsafe.
Before Graeme went to the school board meeting, I knew exactly what the facts were and I fully supported my son's attendance at the meeting, as did my wife.
Graeme, too, had a perfect understanding of what had happened, and based on the facts, he did what he always does--the right thing.
The most prominent responses to Graeme's involvement in this story can be broken down into two categories: Those who congratulate Graeme for his stand and those who try to discredit or insult him.
I am happy to report that Graeme has received hundreds of messages in which the writers say the same thing over and over, "Thank you for saying what many are afraid to say--the truth! You have given me hope for a brighter future."
I, too, have received many messages in which the writers say how proud they are of Graeme for taking a stand, and quite often they add that they watched his appearance on Ellen's show with tears streaming down their faces.
To the commenter above I ask are you aware what Mr. McDowell's senior students did the day he returned from his suspension? I am--they applauded him.
They applauded him because he chose to take the right, albeit more difficult path. He chose to attempt to protect an atmosphere of safety for all of his students and not just some.
In my school, each morning my students stand and say our Pledge of Allegiance. When they do, I always appreciate the little flourish I hear with the final six words: "with liberty and justice for all." Indeed.
Sincerely,
KIrk Taylor
Ann Arbor, MI
Hi Ellen,
I record and watch your show everyday and love every second of it and have always been a huge fan of yours. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Graeme and listening to him speak. He is such an intelligent and well spoken young man.
I also just watched Chris Colfer and I just had a brilliant idea (they don't come often). But what an episode of Glee it would be to have Graeme as a guest star on Glee as Chris' younger brother.
Thanks for years of laughter,
Kathy
omg! This kid is amazing, i'm so glad that someone can finally speak up, and let therE voice be heard,(especialy at 14)! I just am so suprized,when i saw him on tv the other day! He is great,i wish i could say that right now,or even infront of a school board system! Im 13 and i dont even have courage to say something like that! He is so adorable, congrats to you both,Ellen and Graeme! :)))
What a mature wise young man too bad the school board that suspended the teacher for doing the right thing is not as wise and mature.
this brave young man is amazing. i wish i had his courage at that age.
both he, ellen and madonna inspired my new song that i wanna share with everyone.
''be kind to one another''
(by johnny ''wayne'' hicks) copyright 2010
''there's so much pain- everywhere you look today.
i don't understand- how we let it get this way.
but we need to do something- before it's too late.
we need to work together- as one human race.''
chorus: ''be kind to one another- and make the world a better place.
if we all respect each other- we'll have a better day.
a smile is all it takes- to spread a little love.
and thats something that we all- could use alot more of.''
''everybody's trying to find their way- and could use a helping hand.
it would make life alot easier- to have someone who understands.
exceptence and compassion- shouldn't be so hard to give.
so why do so many of us- have to fight for the right to live?!''
(chorus)
''we need to learn from the past- before it's too late.
we need to work together- as one human race.''
written by johnny ''wayne'' hicks, november 22, 2010
Ellen, I am so disappointed! I had the opportunity to personally hear this young man speak at the board meeting and even though he was misinformed about the facts, I was impressed by him, like you. Unfortuately the real events of that day unfolded differently than how he presented them on your show. There is another family and entire community that continues to be traumatized by a campaign of missinformation in an attempt to cover the truth. Last week, the facts were brought to light. I would have hoped that his parents would have informed him of the real story and that your producers would have informed you as well. A young man got rewarded for telling a story that was based on a lie. The facts will bare out that it was in fact the teacher, Mr. Mcdowell, who was guilty of bullying students who dare hold views contrary to his own.
I've been married for over 30 years, 2 kids, 5 grandkids, my son is a pastor. I fell in love with Graeme. What a great kid! I know he will be a success in life. This boy has touched my heart. What a character! :)
I have to say that this particular anti-bullying segment hit home for me. I am also fourteen but a straight girl, and I see homophobia everyday that, as Graeme said gets me flustered. I am inspired by everyone out there making a difference, but especially so when it's a fourteen year old, comfortable kid. I hope he can set an example for those who struggle with who they are. What I wouldn't give to have him come speak at me school.
As I sat holding my 1yr. old son with tears rolling down my check I whispered in his ear that I hope you grow up to be as amazing as that young man on T.V. What an inspiration to all young girls and boys! I give a huge thank you to his parents for raising an amazing young man!
Hats off to the young man for making himself be heard. My question though is this, why did the teacher want the student to remove the belt buckle that resembled the rebel flag? Was there a dress code the student was disregarding, what was the teachers reason?
Amazing! This boy is doing things right and is doing the right things.
Young people should speak and voice their truth.
And it's great that his friends are realy supportive.
Good luck to Graeme! And thank you, Ellen, for being who you are.
With great great respect,
Olena from Moscow.
What a precious soul! This child is wise beyond his years. Thank you for sharing his story Ellen. He is changing the world for the better. A child with this much confidence and self love must have amazing parents! Kudos to Mom and Dad! Keep shinin' your light Graeme... you are making a difference.
;)
Valerie from Canada
Share
Comments (14) | Post a comment now »
Sadly you did not hear the praise I gave your son but the facts still remains and the most important part of this whole story is that the teacher is the one that asked the student the question that started all of this. Was the student suppose to lie? He answer the question. He did not bully, he did not spout rasial slurs as you son said. He answered the question that the teacher asked him. whether lack of training or lack of regard for any of the students it was the teachers mistake and he was punished for it and other things that he did that day.
Posted by cjtoncray | November 30, 2010 9:13 AM