Listen to a reading of Michael and Jacob’s story.
What happened?
Michael checked his missed messages from his friends, scrolling through his social media apps before he went to bed. He went on Snapchat and looked at his friends’ private stories. He pressed on his best friend Jacob’s private story. Michael’s eyes widened when he saw what Jacob had just posted.
The post was a screen recorded video of his classmate Andrew who called Jacob various racial slurs. Andrew made fun of Jacob’s English skills as Jacob’s first language was Spanish. Jacob was very good at English but tends to trip over a few words and phrases. He moved from Mexico to their small town in Arizona less than two years ago. Andrew continued to tell border jokes and made fun of Jacob’s socioeconomic status wondering how he could afford tuition at their private school.
Michael was stunned that someone could ever think and say those things without any remorse or fear of the consequences. He sent Jacob a text to ask him if he is okay after seeing his private story. Jacob texted him back right away, asking if he could call Michael. He said he just needed to talk to someone as he didn’t know what to do.
“Hi, Michael,” Jacob said.
“Hey, Jacob. I saw what you posted on your private story…how are you feeling?”
Jacob went silent for a minute and then burst into tears.
“I don’t know what I did wrong Michael. It seems like he just hates me for just being…me. I just like to stay to myself and I don’t think I bother anyone,” he said.
“You don’t bother anyone, Jacob. You certainly have never bothered me,” Michael reassured him.
Michael felt sad that Jacob was being bullied for being one of the only Hispanic kids in their small-town school. Michael had already heard comments from Andrew about his sexuality, as he just came out on Instagram to their friends a few weeks ago with Jacob’s help. Michael knew that something had to be done, especially for someone he cared about experiencing something serious. He knew it wasn’t right that his best friend was being made fun of for just being himself. After talking to Jacob about solutions to address Andrew and his harassment, with Jacob’s permission Michael made a Tiktok post about Andrew and called him out for bullying and being racist and homophobic.
Michael felt good about standing up for his friend — but the next morning while getting dressed for school, Michael was swarmed with messages from Andrew and his friends. They made homophobic comments and threats of fighting him on Snapchat. Andrew was upset that Michael called him out. Michael’s followers had left so many comments on his posts.
During school, he heard snickers from other students that saw the Snapchat post Andrew created. In the past when Michael heard comments about things on social media, he’d brush them off, but this was different. Andrew whispered threats at him. Michael didn’t know how to feel. He was sad and angry that sticking up for Jacob made him Andrew’s newest target.
What did he do?
Once at home, Michael who usually greets his mom, walked into the house silent with puffy eyes. He felt good about standing up for his friend and doing the right thing but helpless since he was the latest target of Andrew’s torment. He headed straight to his room, ignoring his mom’s “hi” and “how was school today?”
He heard a knock at the door. It was his brother Brandon.
“Is everything okay? You didn’t speak to mom, so she sent me upstairs to check on you. Is anything wrong?” His brother asked concernedly.
Michael and his brother were very close, but even with how close they were, Michael was still hesitant to tell his brother what happened. He just wanted to lie and tell his brother and his mom that everything was fine at school and that he was feeling sick.
He knew though that his brother wouldn’t judge him. Brandon was his number one supporter when he came out to the family. Also, he needed help on what to do because he couldn’t do a whole school year with this type of treatment.
“Actually…no, everything’s not okay at school,” Michael said. He explained the situation with his head hung low while sniffling from crying.
“I’m sorry that happened to you. You don’t deserve to be treated like that. Let’s go to my room and play some video games to clear your mind, okay?”
They played games for a few hours until Brandon suggested Michael tell their mom what happened.With Brandon by his side for support, Michael told his mom what happened. For Michael, the scenario felt like deja-vu. The same thoughts and concerns he was having about opening up to their mom now had raced in his mind when Michael was reluctant to tell her about his sexuality. She was very supportive then and was responsive to his situation now. After he explained what happened, she hugged him and his brother, letting them know that she loves them no matter what and that everything done in the dark will come to the light.
The three of them talked and decided the best thing to do was block Andrew on Snapchat. Then his mom suggested telling Principal Hart what happened for his safety as Andrew made threats towards him. Michael pondered on the idea at first. He had been nervous enough just telling his mom, let alone his principal.
“Michael. I’ll be in the room with you. You won’t be alone, I promise,” his mom said.
Michael felt relieved that his mom said he would be there with him. So, he agreed to talk with his principal. He wanted Andrew to face consequences for his actions as this doesn’t happen to other children like Michael and Jacob.
He felt reassured that his mom and brother cared about him and noticed that something was wrong. He appreciated that he found his support system of people to talk with about his feelings, people who truly cared about his well being.
Although the situation was really difficult and he received tons of backlash, Michael didn’t feel any regret for standing up for what he believed in and doing the right thing for someone he cares about and even himself.
By Ashanti Mclaurin
Want to try the skills Michael and Jacob used?
Supporting a Friend Going Through a Tough Time
Guides for Blocking/Reporting on Social Media
Want help now? There are free and confidential hotlines available 24/7. Call/text the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. For Black and Brown youth and LGBTQ+ youth of color, call or text 800-604-5841 to reach Call BlackLine. Or contact the Trevor Project, a crisis hotline specifically for LGBTQ youth, by calling 1-866-488-7386 or texting START to 678-678.