Re: Jeremy (or "Hero")

This is a song-response to compliment Neilson's post "Jeremy".
The song is titled "Hero" by Superchick





This is basically a comment in post form x].. Like Neilson pointed out, I think we can all think of someone at our school who just doesn't receieve any friendship, any love, any mercy at all. They are the outcasts-- the ostracized at our schools. I can think of one in my class as well. He doesn't seem to know how to socialize in a way that doesn't make him seem weird. I am one of his only acquaintances who can talk to him.

As Christians, aren't we called to be the ones to love on these people? In our high school fellowship, we've seemed to be doing an exhaustive study on "relationships" and "love". How is love? WHAT is love? (*starts bobbing head to side of neck xD..*) Well, 1 Corinthians 13 has that spelled out for us and how we can demonstrate love for these people. I know God didn't just come down to rescue specifically those who have it all together, or those who aren't socially unacceptable. So the commandment is there: love your neighbor as yourself; but as Christians, how well do we fare in following through with this? I think that this is the real test of high school Christians: stepping out to do what nobody else would for the sake of an unbelievable Love.

I love the bridge of this song... it poses the question: Am I one of these people who just walk by? I don't want to be...God please give us the strength to love these people we know You died for when it seems nobody else would. "Lets WAKE UP, change the world, our time is NOW"

Jeremy

"Jeremy" - by Pearl Jam

As I was walking home from school this afternoon, I suddenly thought of this song, and I felt a very strong conviction to share this song. This is a very disturbing song with a video that compliments the atmosphere of the song very well. Nevertheless, even in an angst-ridden, grunge song, God has spoken to me.

The high school experience is one that can be socially and mentally nurturing, but it is also one that can be socially and mentally degrading. I will speak of the latter. At every school, there is always the select few who do not "fit in"-- the social pariahs with whom nobody wants to be associated. Not only that, they are often the target of much verbal or physical harassment. I'm sure, as you read this, a few faces will appear in your mind.

Now, I can't speak for all high schools, but at Lowell, at least, I have witnessed the degradation in some of these students. This song is based on a true story of a teenage boy who, after much torment from his peers, went into class one day and committed suicide in front of his teacher and all his peers. It's very disturbing. I don't know much about the story other than that, but it reminds me of a boy I know at my school. For the sake of anonymity, let's call this boy "Bob." I'm sure many have heard of his story already. Basically, Bob, like Jeremy, was ultimately pushed to the brink of madness from the incessant harassment. Rather than being pushed to suicide like Jeremy, however, Bob formulated a hit-list. Now, that is scary.

I had to reevaluate the way I reacted and treated these people. I actually sat next to Bob for the first semester of 10th Grade English. I witnessed first-hand the constant teasing and harassment that Bob endured daily. It was a wonder he kept his composure for so long. But it's like that part in the song:

"Clearly I remember picking on the boy
Seemed a harmless little f***
But we unleashed a lion
Gnashed his teeth and bit the recess lady's breast
How can I forget?"

It's very difficult to type about this subject, and I'm very tired... I admit that I am guilty for having contributed to it all. I'm not proud of it. I try to connect to these people, and if I can't, I don't add on to the madness. I want to be different; I want to be a light. These sorts of things should not happen in a high school--nor should they happen anywhere else.

Be different. Demonstrate Christ's love.