"They Were Wrong"

[Guest Lauren W]

I was surfing Facebook earlier, as I'm won't to do when I'm bored, and I saw this video someone had shared. I watched it and thought it was amazing, so I found it on Youtube.

As the friend that shared it said when they shared it, "If youre having a bad day, or if you're a **** head that finds it fun to slaughter peoples mentalities (I wont say names), watch this. You wont regret it."

[MaryEllen]

Although not specifically transgender themed, this video is very relevant to situations that most of us face. It is worthwhile watching.

MaryEllen

[Charlize]

I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry at the end. It so spoke to parts and fears in my life. A good look at the effects of what we often experience or fear experiencing.

Hugs,

Charlie

[Guest KimberlyF]

The poem is called 'To This Day', and there's an ipad app for that

There is a longer version as a Ted talk where he does it live with about 5 more minutes of text.

I remember him from the 2010 Olympics and found that performance pretty moving.

[Guest Brenda Hailey]

Was trying not to cry today,,,,that didnt work out to well.....LOL

Brenda

[Guest Jennifer T]

OH MY GOD!!

Tears flowing.

[Guest devida]

I heard him on a ted talks episode. He is a powerful poet. I was never bullied but I was always on the verge of it because like Shane, I was always different. In some ways I was lucky. I was so different that other kids were scared how I would respond when I was bullied so they didn't bully me. I really identify with his story. I was just lucky. I figured out how to avoid what happened to him. Many, many transgendered or in any way different children do not and become the victims and oppressors Shane describes. The cost of avoiding bullying for me was enormous. I became someone I did not want to be for many, many years, just to be safe.

[Guest LizMarie]

Shane is an amazing poet.

[Guest Lauren W]

I know it's quite a heart-wrenching poem, but I just love the message within it, despite how sad it is. It also has some lines that I love, like "They were wrong", which was the inspiration for the title of this thread even though I knew the title of the poem was "To This Day". And then there's also "and if you can't see anything good about yourself, get a better mirror." It's a wonderful poem with wonderful messages spread throughout it.

[Carolyn Marie]

Absolutely amazing, heart wrenching video. I wish everyone could see it. Like all those people who post comments after stories about us.

Carolyn Marie