The United States is in shock after the death of a little boy bullied at school, who committed suicide in early February.
Young Drayke had sworn to his parents that he was fine. But in early February, this 12-year-old boy committed suicide in Utah, United States. US media reported that Drayke had been bullied at school since last year. The establishment had a time suspended the student who bullied him, reports the website of the magazine “People”. But the harassment would still have continued, said the parents of the victim. The latter constantly monitored his mental state, asking him if he had any suicidal thoughts. “But he was saying no, and he even looked like he was disgusted by me asking him the question,” his mother told KUTV.
Earlier this month, Drayke came home with a black eye, then on Feb. 9 he asked his parents to skip basketball practice. When his family returned in the evening, they found the young boy unresponsive. He was pronounced dead the next day. Since then, his parents have chosen to mediate this drama, in order to alert on school harassment. “For this boy to attack my son in order to increase his own self-confidence means he was not well either. In a sense, the bully was also a victim, and we need to find a way to teach our kids that the world is broken, but they’re the generation that’s going to fix it,” Drayke’s father said. The boy’s mother described her son as a fun-loving person. “He liked to make people laugh. He liked to do what he could to make sure someone had a friend,” she said.
The emotion of Rudy Gobert
Faced with the shock of this tragic suicide, many personalities reacted, sending messages in tribute to Drayke. A movement, Do It For Drayke, was launched to demand action against school bullying, and to teach kindness. “I am heartbroken for Drayke and his family, and for all the children who have been bullied. Please take the time to read this, show it to your child and start talking about it. Let’s teach our children kindness and compassion. Harassment has never been and will never be cool,” model Kaia Gerber wrote on Instagram.
Members of the Utah Jazz basketball team, of which Drayke was a fan, also honored his memory. The franchise invited Drayke’s family as well as that of Izzy, who also committed suicide at age 10 due to bullying, to meet players Donovan Mitchell and Frenchman Rudy Gobert on the pitch. “Rudy Gobert, Drayke just wanted to hug him, he was saying he wanted to hug his lap. That’s what he said: I want to hug Gobert so I can take his knees in my arms, ”commented Drayke’s mother.
Before the game, the families of Izzy and Drayke presented Donovan and Rudy with their All-Star rings.
Don’t forget to cheer them on as they head to Cleveland for All-Star weekend⭐️#TakeNotepic.twitter.com/ZZnkTLEz5G
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 15, 2022
The families of Drayke Hardman and Isabella “Izzy” Tichenor, two children from Utah whose lives were lost after being victims of bullying, presented Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert with their commemorative All-Star rings before tonight’s game.
❤️❤️❤️ | #TakeNotepic.twitter.com/RCFYjR0LjA
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 15, 2022
While a kitty was opened by the boy’s relatives, Rudy Gobert, touched by this story, donated $ 4,527, corresponding to jersey numbers 27 and 45, those of Donovan Mitchell and his own. In total, the fundraiser has already raised more than $157,000. “My dear friend Samie recently lost her son Drayke in a tragic accident that took his life. I know many of you know Samie and her family, and the positive impact they have had on this community. Please donate if you can to help cover Drayke’s funeral costs. I know she would need help from us. According to the American site StopBullying.gov, 20% of students in the United States, aged 12 to 18, have been victims of school bullying.
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