Drew Brees sponsored an anti-bullying movement in 2010 called the "It Gets Better Project," and in his call to action he proclaims "Appreciate people for how they are different from you: That's what it takes to be a friend. Bullying has to stop, and it starts with you." This received high praise nationwide back then, yet our nation appears to have taken a shift within this past decade.
In recent actions, Brees participated in a movement called "Bring Your Bible to School Day," which in return he received heavy backlash from those who disapprove of the belief in the Bible and children have been bullied for bringing the Bible to school. Fifth grader Giovanni Rubeo spent his recess reading the Bible, and faculty demanded that Giovanni was to rid of the book for it is a disturbance within the building, even going as far as to "threatening to call his father" to bring them home; are we now letting our first amendment right to believe and practice whatever religion we please get in the way of the education of our nations future possible leaders? How are we to develop a free thinking nation if it is instilled withing our school systems at such an early age to shun certain beliefs and actions and accept others.
Another instance of this hate/bullying comes up against Dr. Eric Walsh. Dr. Walsh has a bachelors degree, M.D. and a doctorate in public health; he is accredited with founding the first dental practical office which treats patients with AIDS and HIV. Welsh also was appointed by former president Obama to the President's Commission on HIV and AIDS, he also was listed by several within the medical field to be elected as the US Surgical General. Dr. Walsh is immensely respected throughout the nation, and he also is a lay pastor who ministers locally in his region in California, and has been invited to several conferences nationally to preach.
Dr. Walsh was faced with adversary when crowds chased him off the stage during his commencement speech at Pasadena Community College for his faith. This ridicule followed his career into Georgia, where he was hired as the state dental director; his employers received news of his preaching background and proceeded to fire him the very next day after requesting to review his sermons.
Furthermore, this all comes full circle to bullying; why would we go through all this trouble to discriminate upon someone for being different than you, when we can be a friend who uplifts those who differ from one another. We were each created beautifully and placed strategically within this free country, so allow one another to freely practice and pursue our beliefs without persecution.
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