Comments on: Legacy 3: Of Jocks and Fags

By: Clay Burell

Clay Burell — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 01:38:14 +0000

Thanks for that Ron, and same to you. All that you read is pretty ancient history now that I’m well into my 40s and very happy, so none of it bothers me now. It’s more an interesting story to me than anything emotional (and a story, again, I put out there so that students going through it today will hopefully see that it doesn’t last forever and life gets better).

Anyway, good luck to you. Australia, is it? If so, I was just in Queensland about three weeks ago. First time. Beautiful area.

By: RonC

RonC — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:14:27 +0000

My friend posted this link on his facebook is how I found out about this writing. Its really good, I had to face some of it myself in school too. I know how you felt then. Its all true whatever you mentioned here.I don’t like the kind of guys you mentioned here due to many personal reasons, anyways I have learned to tackle with these but your writing reminded me of my highschool days again. I can just wish you good luck for future. I just passed out my high school 3 years ago and I am 21.

By: Clay Burell

Clay Burell — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:43:39 +0000

Hi Simon,

I don’t know if I can help or not. But the possibility that people going through it can take comfort in this very happy 40-something saying he’s been there too makes it worth the effort.

In the blog world, we promote each other. The people above aren’t “advertising” themselves. I’m sharing what they write with a little tool I added that sends readers of their comments back to their spaces to discover more of each commenter’s world if they want to. It’s a courtesy, and a beautiful aspect of this world.

Too bad schools keep you guys stuck in the 1990s.

By: Simon

Simon — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:47:06 +0000

Hi,
First off, I don’t know what to call you here. But that doesn’t change the feelings from this. I only read the first part and will read the rest when I’m done my History of China homework.
But I could like fear you anger and then feel mine again too. I can’t believe this happened to you too. I always saw you as the jock or atleast the student council kid that everyone likes, but not the “loner kid”.
And I see all these other kids saying that they can relate, but what do you tell them in return? Can you help them get out of a rut? Should we really just hit the jocks? Why not right?

And I don’t really think it’s right that other people are trying to advertise their blogs on this. Especially not this post.

By: AJ

AJ — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 03:14:28 +0000

Clay,
This is also my story, written in better words. I am a sophmore in high school. I have been bullied, in every grade, by the same few kids. They are the popular kids, the bigger kids, the ones who think they’re better.
In my freshman year, I was bullied every day by the same few kids. I fear this year will be the same. I fear the year after will be the same, and the year after that. It depresses me, it adds so much stress to my day, sometimes I want to cry…but I know in the end I am better than these kids. I don’t stoop to their level. Never would I make another person feel as bad as they make me feel.
And that’s what keeps me going through the insults and tirades and shouts of “faggot” and “nerd” and “nobody likes you” and “nobody gives a shit” and “go die”. Your story, I have come to realize, is one too often repeated and one that unfortunately often ends in sadness.

By: The “Gay-Friendly School” Conundrum | Beyond School

The “Gay-Friendly School” Conundrum | Beyond School — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:16:47 +0000

[...] of you know I was harassed for three years for being perceived as gay at my high school back in the ’70s, so I’m fascinated by [...]

By: Clay Burell

Clay Burell — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:05:34 +0000

Good advice from a good father, I think. Must have been tough.

Thanks for the kind words.