The news of the death of twelve-year-old Dowen College student, Sylvester Oromoni Junior, hit the streets of social media recently and has been viral for days unending. Thousands of tweets, messages, and posts all united with one voice: justice against bullying!
It triggered something in me, having been a victim of bullying myself. I wrote a post “Hello Troll” https://thoughtsonink.com/hello-troll/ in early March this year as a campaign against online bullying. Alas! Ten months later and it keeps getting worse.
Since I heard the news and followed the story, there’s a bitter taste in my buds I cannot get rid of. And it’s only gotten worse as videos and posts keep crossing my timeline.
I try to understand. I really do. Because I love to give people second chances. But in my most compassionate state of mind, I cannot understand the thought processes of those teenagers who committed the vile act. Actions that led to the death of a vibrant little boy, one whose star would have dazzled the whole world.
I guess it is time that we as a society have some sober reflection. Otherwise, we risk losing more Sylvesters to bullies with suppressed consciences.
What kind of kids are we raising?
What kind of parents are we?
What kind of parents do we want to be?
Is the notion of right and wrong eroded in this generation?
Are morals and good conscience a thing of the past?
Are we aiding evil behaviour in our silence?
I am not a parent, yet I am this triggered and pained. How much more those who are fathers and mothers? It is time for us to speak up with one voice and demand answers as people with consciences; as existing and future parents, so the truth can prevail.
Your voice matters and your platform can make a difference no matter how small you think it is.
No child should go to school and not return. This simply should not be happening.
No parent deserves this kind of pain; the agony of burying a child who died a senseless death. Nothing we can say or do will change anything for Sylvester. But maybe it can do something for the next innocent bullied boy or girl and cut all channels that enable this despicable act to thrive.
All I can pray is that justice is meted out and that God grants the Oromoni family the strength to overcome these challenging times.
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For Sylvester and the many “Sylvesters” unknown, we have lost to the cold hands of death through all forms of bullying.
Diane.
