Ronin Shimizu was twelve years old, he loved his family and friends and more than anything, he loved being a male cheerleader at school. Ronin Shimizu killed himself, Ronin Shimizu was bullied, these are all the facts we know today.
Ronin was originally a student at Folsom Middle School in Folsom, California, but had dropped out of school and decided on homeschooling. He took his life on Wednesday, December 3rd.
Flashbacks from the time I used to be bullied as I hear that 12yr old Ronin Shimizu commited suicide he was being bullied. #stopbullying
— Loic-Davy Kaze (@Lolodavy96) December 7, 2014
The school district in the area reported that Ronin’s parents had complained their son was being bullied on several occasions and that the school officials followed the “appropriate protocol”.
Look at this precious little boy. He’s gone from us. Cannot imagine what his family is going through.. #RoninShimizu pic.twitter.com/sd7TjeVgZ3 — Heather Lora (@heatherlora4) December 6, 2014
According to news sources, friends of Ronin said the bullying and taunting never ceased after the complaints and Ronin went on to receive home schooling.
‘I heard that people called him gay because he was a cheerleader,’ one of his teammates told CBS Sacramento at the vigil held for Ronin in front of this family house last Thursday’s night.
Everyone from Ronin’s middle school speculate he was taunted and called gay for being the only male cheerleader with the Vista Junior Eagles Cheer Team.
Other friends expressed their shock, saying Ronin never revealed how much he was hurting.
Folsom Cordova School District added that they have a comprehensive anti-bullying campaign and that grief counselors are at the school to help students and staff.
#RoninShimizu there were so many things wrong with the people who called you ‘gay’ because you didn’t fit their worldview. #SHAME
— Johnathon Greer (@JohnathonGreer) December 7, 2014
The Vista Jr Eagles, the team Ronin had cheered for, also released a statement as they shared photos of the young, grinning boy in his cheer uniform.
Anti Bullying Programs and School anti bullying policies only help so much, parents of school aged children need to have a quite talk with their kids on the importance of tolerance, acceptance and kindness because words do hurt and do leave a lasting effect on a child’s soul.
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