It’s not often you hear a bullying story with a happy ending. This is one of those rare events.
It’s never too late to make amends or to forgive those who’ve wronged us, as demonstrated by a gay man in West Hollywood who received an apology from the bully who tormented him when they were both in junior high school.
ChadMichael Morrisette, a successful Los Angeles-based brand consultant and visual designer, says he was surprised to receive a message on Facebook earlier this week from the man (name withheld) who helped make his teen years miserable. The man explained he’d been inspired to apologize after his young daughter asked if he’d ever bullied anyone.
Morrisette posted the apology on his Facebook page today after a note that provided some background:
During junior high and high school I was bullied for being who I am. I was bullied for being gay. I was bullied for being little. I was bullied for every reason someone is bullied. It was awful. I couldn’t even walk to classes without an adult escort or friends with me.
Morrisette also offered thanks to his brother, whom he called his defender, and a teacher, described as his savior, before posting the apology:
Morrisette revealed to Queerty that it took him a couple of days to process what he’d read and now he can’t stop crying over it. He also shared with Queerty the following private exchange between the two men.
Morrisette commented on his Facebook post that he didn’t remember the specific bully in question and now wondered how much of the pain he felt as a teenager he’d blocked out. Perhaps in a message to any young people struggling with bullying who might read his story, he added that it really does get better and better.
Originally published at queerty.com.
For another look at change in action, check out The 7 Words That Changed a High School Bully.
Photo: Aidan Jones/Flickr
It is amazing how these bullies continue to bully people at work and then they got the audacity to complain about their kids being bullying at school. I should know because I have seen it and felt it at my workplace.
I would be shame if my parents were bullies and they continue to be bullies; yet;, they demand that I to be a good person and shove religion down my throat.
My husband once had an experience where a former bully apologised. We were at the supermarket and a woman approached us. She looked really awkward and said, “Is that you, *his name*? Do you remember me?” He said yes and it was a polite exchange but it was short and weird. I asked him who she was (assuming she had gone to school with him). He told me her name and that she hadn’t really been nice to him. Later that night, he got a message in his Facebook inbox (I’m paraphrasing from memory but this is the gist of… Read more »