VIDEO: Stars React & Speak Out Against Teen Bullying
Oct. 4 2010, Published 10:13 a.m. ET
The recent suicide deaths of teens caused by bullying that's making the news is a serious issue and stars are hoping it will serve as a wake-up call. Neil Patrick Harris, Daniel Radcliffe and Ellen DeGeneres are speaking out in an attempt to call attention and cause a call to action.
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"On the heels of a fourth kid who killed himself because of some anti-gay bullying, I heard that MTV was having people talk about it, and I wanted to get involved," Neil tells MTV News in the clip. "Here's what I can say: When you're young, when you're in elementary school, when you're in high school, it's important to try and fit in and be accepted and to be part of the average. Everyone does it, that's the way it goes."
"But let me assure you, if you're getting bullied and feeling like you're on the outskirts, it gets better," he explains. "Because, when you get older, you find that people are actually drawn to individuals with different points of view who are proud of who they are and who make interesting and different and unique choices for them — at least I am."
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Ellen was quick was to speak out The Ellen DeGeneres Show and call for action to help put a stop to teen bulling.
“Something must be done. This month alone, there has been a shocking number of news stories about teens who have been teased and bullied and then committed suicide; like 13-year-old Seth Walsh in Tehachapi, California. Asher Brown, 13, of Cypress, Texas and 15-year-old Billy Lucas in Greensberg, Indiana. This needs to be a wake-up call to everyone: teenage bullying and teasing is an epidemic in this country, and the death rate is climbing,” Ellen warns in the video below. “One life lost in this senseless way is tragic. Four lives lost is a crisis. And these are just the stories we hear about."
"How many other teens have we lost? How many others are suffering in silence?" Ellen asks. "Being a teenager and figuring out who you are is hard enough without someone attacking you.”
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"Learning about the suicide deaths of Tyler Clementi, Seth Walsh, Asher Walker, Billy Lucas and Justin Aaberg has been heartbreaking for me. These young people were bullied and tormented by people that should have been their friends," Daniel tells MTV News. "We have a responsibility to be better to each other, and accept each others' differences regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ability, or religion and stand up for someone when they're bullied."