News on Denessa Smith (Tempests' Mother)

[Kaylara]

Teasing sparks $10 million lawsuit
Lincoln Park district accused of religious bias in girl's suicide

By George Hunter / The Detroit News

LINCOLN PARK -- The mother of a 12-year-old girl who committed suicide five months ago has filed a $10-million lawsuit against the Lincoln Park School District, claiming school administrators turned a blind eye to students who teased the girl about her religious beliefs.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court Tuesday, also charges the school district with religious discrimination.
School district officials could not be reached for comment. Randall Kite, superintendent of the Lincoln Park School District, did not return several phone calls.
After Lincoln Park Middle School student Tempest Smith hanged herself from her bunk bed on Feb. 20, many of the girl's classmates came to the funeral expressing guilt for having teased her so relentlessly. Much of the teasing revolved around Tempest's belief in Wicca, a pagan religion.
According to Tempest's journal, found under her bed after the suicide, her classmates often crowded around her chanting "Jesus loves you," along with other comments that ridiculed her Wiccan beliefs.
Attorneys for Tempest's mother, Denessa Smith, claim school employees violated the girl's civil rights because they knew about the teasing, but did nothing to stop it. That indifference contributed to the girl's suicide, they claim.
"If it would've been a Christian kid being teased, you can bet they would've done something," said Smith's attorney, Joel Sklar. "But the Lincoln Park School District has historically discriminated against followers of Wicca."
Sklar referred to a 1999 case in which high school student Crystal Seifferly sued the Lincoln Park School District because she was banned from wearing jewelry depicting the five-pointed star that is the symbol of pagan faith. In that case, a U.S. district judge ruled that the district's policy violated Seifferly's religious rights, and the school district's ban on Wiccan jewelry was overturned.
"Tempest Smith had a right to practice her religion without being taunted in school," Sklar said. "And the school staff had a duty to respond to that taunting. They didn't. We contend that the school district has shown a pattern of indifference, and perhaps hostility, to those students who follow another religion that's not Judeo-Christian in nature."
Denessa Smith said she told her daughter's teachers and counselors about the teasing. "We had several conversations about what my daughter was going through," Smith said. "I was trying to get them to do something about it. But nobody did anything."
Smith hopes the lawsuit will force the school district to adopt anti-teasing measures. "There should be rules in place, so that children in the future won't have to experience what my daughter went through," Smith said.
Since The Detroit News covered Tempest's suicide in March, the case has received national attention. The ABC news magazine show 20/20 interviewed Denessa Smith last week for a segment which is scheduled to air this fall. Other nationally syndicated television and radio shows have contacted Smith, asking her to appear on their programs.

You can reach George Hunter at (313) 561-3376 or ghunter@detnews.com.

Found at:

http://detnews.com/2001/schools/0107/04/a08-243315.htm

Kaylara

[Wyrdsister]

Thanks for posting this, Kaylara. I wonder what the outcome of this lawsuit will be...

Whatever the ruling, it will be no compensation for the loss of Tempest, I'm sure.

Wyrdsister

[Rævyn Cigány]

Woo hoooooo! It's about frikkin time someone did something about it. While I agree that it won't bring Tempest back, I'm so proud of Denessa for standing up to the bigotry and hatred that seem to flow so rampantly in our schools...Wicca is just the flavour-du-jour as far as religious bashing goes (I went to a Catholic school where probably 30% were NOT Catholic, rather Unitarian, Mormon, Anglican and Muslim), so I hope this action sort of brings things like that to a grinding halt, if not to at least a slow crawl.

BB

Rae )0(

Tempest, rest in the arms of the Eternal Mother...

[Wyrdsister]

*bump bump*

Has anyone heard any recent news about this case?

Wyrdsister

[Swanspirit]

Merry Merry,
This is amazing news , thank you so much for posting it :>. I admire Tempests Mother greatly for defending her daughter , what a beautiful way to honor her ..... and who knows that she isnt receiving support from Tempest herself? I am so against proseltysing, or anything that would even remotely resemble the missionary pushiness that is prevalent in many other faiths, but I FIRMLY and DEEPLY believe NO ONE should have to suffer for their chosen spiritual path.
A child is so vulnerable....and Tempests age
is right at the time when peer groups become of paramount importance. The school deserves to be sued; they wouldnt have allowed that behavior for any other reason....and allowing it is tacit approval, and the other children know that , at the level of NOT being told to stop.
When I read of Tempests suicide, I had no idea the extent of the teasing, and of course being a former adolescent psyche nurse,,, i think of the home environment as well.
But I will say this.. one of the reasons adolescent suicide is so dangerous, is because they are at a level where they dont even understand the concept of death , and dont realise what they are doing, and ALSO most importantly, and as every teen parent knows, they are IMPULSIVE in the extreme , and do things without thinking . I have never met a child (or an adult) who was suicidal that really wanted to end their life.... if they could end the pain.
I hope that much positive results come from this timely defense..... and I hope it helps Tempest mother deal with her loss....because I cannot imagine losing a child....
Love and Light
Swannie

[Danustouch]

Thank you SOOOOOO much for the update. I for one, was very disturbed when I first heard of the case. I am SOOOOOO glad that Denessa isn't just letting this go. It's about time some attention were paid to the dangers of predjudice in our schools. I am sure, that the kids who were taunting Tempest, did not know how incredibly destructive and volatile their behavior was. Yes...they knew they were hurting her feelings, and disturbing her...but kids, being kids..probably had NO idea at the possible results of their actions.

If this case is publicized well, and receives a lot of attention, it might make children in OTHER schools, in OTHER towns, think twice before they act in such a manner. I'm sure the kids who taunted poor tempest so badly, will have a lasting lesson in life. Perhaps they will grow to be far more compassionate adults, then they were as children. Perhaps THEY will teach THEIR OWN children, to be more tolerant, than their parents taught them to be.

As sad as Tempests passing was, The only glimmer of positive nature in the event, is that her passing may serve as a lesson to people in this world. In a way, its as if she was a Martyr. I plan to light a candle for her on Samhain (although I already did when I read the story)..and honor her on my altar.

Oh..btw..I think the story, when it airs on 20/20 will be a WONDERFUL thing...Let's hope the report is made with much compassion, and sensitivity. I think it has a GREAT potential, to reach MANY people's hearts...and open their eyes to the danger of religious intolerance.

[Earth Walker]

What day will 20/20 broadcast that show?

[Danustouch]

Sometime in the Fall, I believe.

[Mooncrow]

If anyone finds the date of that 20/20 please post it. This is truly proof of the "right to religious freedom as long as it's OUR religion" amendment hidden it the constitution somewhere. Isn't it sad that this country was founded by people fleeing religious tyranny and intolerance only to recreate it here?


BB

Mooncrow

[Swanspirit]

With everything you said about the children,
DanusTouch, which is why the school should be sued ..it as if they are saying (and of couse we have seen this before.).... everyone has freedom of religion except those we choose to deny.
I just wish I didnt have so much trouble with that word !!!Martyr !!!, cringing here :rolleyes: the concept of dying for your faith, which to me is appalling . I would rather go underground than die , and I prefer the concept of living for mine :> . very scary word for me , if you see what I mean ? For me that concept is part of what I left behind when found My Goddess ......
just my thoughts ...... I still agree with everything else you said :>
Love and HUGS
Swannnie

[Danustouch]

I know what you mean about the term..."martyr". But there really didn't seem to be any more fitting word to describe what I meant. It's not that I truly believe that Goddess would wish anyone to die for their faith. It's just ..it happens sometimes. People die because of their faith, and their life and death become lessons to others. It's not a "cosmic fate" type thing...but...out of death, comes rebirth, out of a bad experience, can come good. Etc, etc, etc. That's simply what I meant...that even in her death, which is surely tragic, and very sad, we must try to seek some wisdom. All in life is a lesson. If there IS a lesson to be learned here, it's tolerance.

[Swanspirit]

I know ..... and actually what you describe is really far diferent than the early christian concept of "martyrs and martyrdom" which were sometimes people actually looking to be made martyrs......not my idea of worship..... and
and the origin of the word simply meant "witness" so again it was changed in the translation. Maybe I am just having trouble getting my mind and HEART around a childs death as a cause celebre but I do beleive it is honoring her to defend her.. and perhaps may prevent others from having to suffer .
I hope they win!
Love and HUGS
Swannie

[Danustouch]

I certainly do not think her death should be..."Celebrated". However, I do think that we should try to find a lesson in it. And I think we should honor her as some sort of teacher..in a way. It's hard to explain..but know that I felt a deep sense of grief when I heard of her death.

[Faeden]

Hi all

I recently Interviewed Denessa Smith, Tempest's mother, I hope its ok to post it up here.

DENESSA SMITH ANTI BULLYING INTERVIEW

http://www.shanry.com/phy/clim/9205/tempestmainpage.jpg

Tempest Smith 1988 - 2001

I’m sure that many people interested in the paranormal or that have some form of spiritual belief would have come across some example of hostility in there lives, whether it be people talking behind your back saying that your odd, or crazy, or just openly ridiculed. Many interested in the supernatural will know the level of ignorance that is directed at the subject of spirits or spiritual belief from the general public, but few of us have ever had to suffer a great torment because of the passionate hate and fear by others directed at you of your spiritual beliefs as the person I am going to write about next. What follows is a brief introduction of an extreme example of the type of ignorance that is out there in the world today, and also an interview with someone that's been directly effected by ignorance of this kind, and I hope it will better educate people on the ignorance that most of us might have witnessed at some level or other.

On the 20th of February 2001, 12 year old Tempest Smith from Lincoln Park Middle School in Michigan committed suicide alone in her room, she hung her self What would cause a girl so young, with her whole life ahead of her to make such a desperate decision? Soon after her passing Tempest's journal was found under her bed, it explained her reasons for deciding to take her own life, what was found was every parents nightmare. Tempest wrote in her journal how she was being religiously bullied at her school by fellow school mates. Tempest was her own person and had her own style of dress and her own spiritual beliefs, ones that worshipped the spirit of nature, known as Wicca. Wiccans believe that you can find the spirit and love of the divine through the beauty of nature, but some students taunted her, chanting religious hymns and songs at Tempest because they wrongly believed that nature based spiritual beliefs where wrong, because they did not fit into there own religious beliefs, so Tempest was cruelly bullied and picked on until she could take no more, which eventually caused her tragic suicide. Tempest was no different to any other 12 year old girl. She wrote in her journal "Everyone is against me. Still, death will come sooner or later for me. Will I ever have friends again?"
I want to help people better understand that intolerance towards others because of ones beliefs no matter what they are ‘is just plain wrong’, and should not be acceptable in today’s societies. Its not only Tempest’s untimely passing that intolerance caused, much of the suffering and fear that happens all over the world today is due to intolerance.
Tempest’s mother and best friend Denessa Smith has kindly agreed to do an interview with me so that people can better understand the often tragic and heartbreaking consequences that comes with bullying . I do hope that this article and interview will somehow help a child that is suffering at the hands of bullying, or even help someone that is doing the bullying to take notice and recognise the pain that they are causing someone, or of the tragic possibilities that they might end up being responsible for, and stop what they are doing.
Denessa Has founded the Tempest Smith Foundation to Train Educate and Motivate Parents, Educators and Students in Tolerance, which you can find here http://tempestsmithfoundation.org/
If this interview and article can help or give hope to just one child because of the loneliness and pain caused by bullying, or can stop just one child from bullying another, then this interview will have been well worth it. I hope it will help others that are being bullied that feel alone and desperate know that (They are not alone) there is help out there, and that Tempest suicide will help people understand that bullying is wrong and should not be tolerated, and to recognise that its up to (US) to put a stop to it.
If you are being bullied or you know someone that is, please speak up and tell someone, dont suffer in silence. ‘There is always hope, you just need the courage to reach out for it’
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http://www.shanry.com/phy/clim/9205/tempest-20and-20denessa-jpg.jpg

Above Tempest and Denessa

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Faeden: Thank you for agreeing to this interview Denessa, I know it must still be difficult to talk about the loss of your daughter Tempest. Please can you tell me more about the type of girl Tempest was and is ?.

Denessa: Tempest was born during hurricane Gilbert in Houston, Texas in 1988. We moved into the home in Lincoln Park, MI in August 1990. Tempest had her own bedroom which was pink when she was little through the red and black phase as she approached her teenage years. As a little child, Tempest showed a very intense love for animals, especially cats, often playing "family" with the many she started collecting through her numerous yard saling adventures with her gramma Nancy. Tempest enjoyed sewing and her greatest project was the handmade quilt her and I made together. She also enjoyed music, listening as well as playing. The instrument that called to her is the flute, as well as the keyboard, but the love was for her flute. Tempest enjoyed going swimming, playing dress-up, and writing poetry.

Faeden: Did Tempest show any signs of being bullied, or out of character behaviour that most parents might normally have missed, or find hard to spot? And if so can you elaborate on what these signs or alarm bells might be ?

Denessa: I moved into a community that did not have busing, so I have walked or driven my children to school each and every day. When Tempest was in the second grade, she began to tell me of how her classmates would make fun of her for her taking her cats to school. Made her to feel "uncomfortable" because she would carry them and sit them on her desk. I feel very fortunate to have had a very open relationship with Tempest , we would talk of all issues...even the teasing. Tempest didn't exhibit the "traditional" signs of depression, mood swings, withdraw. We spoke very frankly as time grew as to the bullying going on in her school. It was the lack of response from the faculty and staff to the requests for help from Tempest and I that is what we contended with. This gave her tormentors added strength knowing there was no corrective reactions from our pleas for help.

Faeden: Do you think enough was done after Tempest’s suicide to help cut the chances of this happening again to other children ? what else do you think could be done ?.

Denessa: Nothing was done, this is through the affidavits of those fellow students that are involved with the lawsuit. Upon speaking with students after the fact, there was little recognition to the fact that they had anything to do with Tempest committing suicide, therefore, they had nothing to "correct". I would like to see various things implemented, most of which hinge on the outcome of the lawsuit pending.

Faeden: Do you think that more could have been done to prevent Tempest’s passing and if so what would you have liked to have seen done ?

Denessa: I would to have seen a more aggressive stance against those that are tormentors, not the victims being singled out at "outcasts" or "different". There needs to be a better peer strengthening system for those that are standing by just hoping that they aren't the next intended victim.

Faeden: What are your views and thoughts on the tolerance towards others, such as ones religious beliefs, and how they choose to dress? And what do you think Tempest’s thoughts and views where and are on tolerating others ?.

Denessa: I was born and raised in the city of Detroit, Michigan a veritable menagerie of everyone, everything, and every kind. I am fortunate to have understood that it takes so many to make up the 64 box of crayons, as did Tempest. She embraced peoples' difference with a smile, using that as an opportunity for learning, this is the approach she wanted to offer to those that tormented her. Tempest felt that through education, those that didn't appreciate her faith would at least allow her to practice her religion in peace. Those that didn't like her style really didn't have to but should allow her the opportunity to be herself.

Faeden: Do you (understandably) find it hard to forgive those that bullied your daughter, and do you think Tempest has forgiven them ?. (Denessa Please dont answer this question if it is at all offensive or upsetting to you, as it is a very strong question to ask, and I will completely understand if you wish to ignore this question, but its just a question that I felt I should ask.)

Denessa: I could never ignore this question....Tempest forgave them long before she took her life It was through that fateful act that there are many that now re-evaluate what they do, how they act toward one another, and essentially re-think the fact words can actually hurt beyond the surface of the soul. For me forgiving them, this is an issue that will remain very intense. As I see those that bully change, those in a position of authority take control, and parents quit teaching their children that hatred is a value, then perhaps forgiveness is reachable.

Faeden: What message or advice do you have for any one that might find them selves in a similar situation as Tempest once did ?.

Denessa: Make sure you keep telling someone that this is happening. Make sure you have friends that will speak up for you. Take your friends to your parents to help your parents understand this is something that isn't just you bringing this up. And the most important thing, keep records of every event, write down names of tormentors, where it happened, what they said, who was around, who you talked to , what their response was, and any other pertinent information that might help authorities validate the accusation. This is something now that I find in hind sight that Tempest and I didn't do. Because I thought the school would keep records of each incident, as it turns out , there was nothing documented for any of the numerous occasions we talked to the staff.

Faeden: What advice or message do you have for anyone that is bullying somebody, or is thinking about bullying someone ?.

Denessa: For those that feel tormented, I love you and know all to well your plight. Please reach out, think of Tempest, step out of the shadows of fear and live to make the difference.
-For those that feel they need to victimise others, know that I have lost my firstborn to the senseless act of bullying. Perhaps through reading this article you too can create a more positive approach to interaction with others.

Faeden: And finally may Tempest rest in peace, and as I am sure you know is now happy and living a life full of joy and love on the other side of life, and that she still watches over you. Do you have any final words you would like to add ?.

Denessa: I miss you my southern sun....your brother John sends his love as well as Miss Net.

Thank you Denessa again for this interview. Anyone wishing to cut and paste this interview to other web pages please feel free to do so. The more people that read Denessa’s words and tempest’s story the better.

Interview conducted by Barry Stevens - Faeden of shanry.com

The Tempest Smith foundation (http://tempestsmithfoundation.org/)

Public Relations (publicrelations@tempestsmithfoundation.org)

General Information (denessa@tempestsmithfoundation.org)