Ash UK/US

I was listening to CNN and it ran the story about Phoebe Prince Such a tragic end to a young life. It did not say that her being an Irish immigrant was the cause of the bullying but I am guessing it was a big factor.

Did/do your immigrant kids have any problems in school because they are 'different'?

made of kent

not heard it, maybe you could put up a link? All I am hearing today is the F wit woman in Tennessee, who posted her kid back the Russia, and ruined it for others adopting there! she didn't even ask for help, just shipped him back like he was not what she ordered from sears!

chartreuse

Ah, but she was from Shelbyville...

mellybrown

I was at a concert the other night being run by "to write love on her arms", trying to raise awareness about suicide, they dedicated the whole thing to Phoebe.

Its sad story that is happening more and more

Kaffy Mintcake

There are several articles on CNN about Phoebe Prince. Here is one.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/04/09/...ide/index.html

Tom60

I doubt very seriously her being an Irish immigrant had anything to do with it. In fact, that would have made her a big hit with the boys, making the other girls jealous, and...oh wait...

Bob

Big news around here, but then it's a local story.

Seems half the people are getting done as juveniles and the rest aren't.

They've not made much of her being an immigrant and tbh, there are Irish people all over the place around here, legit immigrants, dodgy immigrants and then the rest are pretend immigrants. So her being Irish wouldn't have been anything new or different.

Some people are just simple arseholes and schools don't tend to get involved around here either.

agentpeppermint

See... Growing up in schools that hosted loads of immigrants from around the world, I would think the fact her being an immigrant would be a big deal and not in the so positive way when it comes to girls being competitive or boys trying to do the "Im picking on you cause I like you" routine.

I have watched what some of our exchange students endured...the boys were always a popular figure amongst the girls, especially if they were good looking and had a thick accent and a daft look on thier face when they didnt understand something..but the american lads didnt take much to the exchange student unless he was athletic and GOOD.however, the girls who were in the program, often did not have other female friends ( often being befriended by the less popular girls, therefore increasing the bullying factor magnitudes ) The boys, were especially harsh if the girl wasn't pretty and most often since girls are advanced for their age past the boys in the same grade, they were often ridiculed for being "smarty pants"

I think the news is downplaying the immigrant part to reduce cries of racism / hate crime to be honest.

Bob

Around here, it really is a none issue.

Perhaps if she was Brazilian it might have been different, but not because she was Irish.

agentpeppermint

I'm from the east coast and have many friends in that area...Were the people who allegedly attacked her of immigrant status? I don't believe so, unless that is a fact being withheld from the news reports....*shrugs* either way it was a disgusting crime, a horrible outcome and a devastating blow to that girls family. As long as justice is served in her name, the reason for the bullying doesn't really matter, it's the gross negligence of these kids parents that they partook in raising youth who would do this to another living thing. As a mother, I stand firm that I believe the parents should hold some responsibility, whether or not there is a crime committed, I know I would be ashamed if my child did this to someone.

Bob

Nearly everyone is, related or best friends with the Irish, it's Boston.

It's a none issue.

The people who did this and their parents were just simply arseholes and deserve to be punished for it, race didn't have anything to do with it though.

Brat1

No parent wants to see their child upset through bullying or anything else for that matter. As a parent of a 16 year old whose jusst moved here in the last 2 months, I have realised how hard it can be for a child of that age to "fit it".

Such a tragic loss of a young life and my heartfelt sympathy goes to her parents who must be beside themselves. How sad that she felt this was her only way to get some peace in her life.

Makes you think.

HumphreyC

I think they did call her an 'Irish slut' though ironically two of the bullies - Sean Mulveyhill and Flannery Mullins - have Irish surnames.

Bob

aye, but most kids around here are a bunch of slags so I wouldn't put any thing substantial behind it.