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Author's profile photo Moya Watson

Be the one that helps: SAP Employees Release “It Gets Better” Film

What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?
-George Eliot

 

 

SAP employees release our It Gets Better film today in support of LGBT youth in crisis. As we do, we reflect on what makes a community, who belongs to it, and how communities can hurt – and how communities can help.

 

I am proud to be an SAP employee today as we release our own It Gets Better film.  I’m also humbled, regretful that we didn’t make this by December 31, 2011, and vulnerable.  I will explain.

 

The It Gets Better Project, founded in September 2010, is a collection of over 50,000 videos submitted by individuals, celebrities, employees, and organizations in response to a number of suicides of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) teens or those perceived to be gay or different. The goal of the videos is to counter bullying influences by telling personal stories about how life gets better – to offer hope by speaking directly to people at-risk of suicide.  In the video, I join my incredible colleagues with my heart on my sleeve.  But I was absolutely compelled to help fellow colleagues make this happen, even more so after I learned about Jeffrey Fehr.

 

On January 1, 2012, 18-year-old Jeffrey Fehr of Granite Bay near Sacramento made the devastating decision that he could no longer go on living and took his own life. He had recently graduated from Granite Bay High School where he was a pioneer as the first male cheerleader. He was well loved by his friends and his family, and was a bright light and inspiration for countless peers. He was also an out gay youth who had endured years of teasing and bullying.

 

In the words of his father, SAP employee Steve Fehr:

 

Jeff chose a permanent solution to a temporary problem not realizing the pain, heartache and agony he was leaving behind. Please do not do that to the ones who love you the most. Please reach out for help now to the many resources available.

 

On January 2, Graph Desino, schoolmate of Jeff’s at Granite Bay High School, posted on the blog Graph’s Crap:

 

When I was a freshman, I wrote a Gazette article about Formspring and its uses/abuses. It was pretty dull stuff, truth be told. But somehow, while I was fiddling with my own Formspring account, I stumbled upon Jeff’s.  … I don’t remember any specifics, but the hate and anger thrown at this kid, holy ****.
[Jeff’s] Formspring archive remains etched in my mind for a reason. I’d always felt very uncomfortable here, with my bisexuality, and all those knowing glances, but I thank God I never had to deal with what he did. It was unrelenting. Often obscene. Always anonymous.

But he replied to them without animosity. That was the really incredible part.

 

We can’t see Jeff’s Formspring account anymore but we can imagine what sort of stuff that was that he had to deal with. In a Granite Bay Gazette article from November 2010, shortly after the It Gets Better project’s inception. Schoolmate jcologna writes stories from close to home about how gay students are impacted by bullying. Teacher Katrina Wachs says in the article:

“Since I came to this school I have been shocked by how many times a day I hear ‘that’s gay,’ ‘fag’ and a myriad of other slogans and verbal slurs,” GBHS teacher Katrina Wachs said. “I think it’s a real human rights issue.”

 

The author goes on to talk about others struggling with bullying:

 

“It’s gotten pretty overboard, I got hit in the face last year,” the anonymous junior girl said. “I have had people go on Myspace and post ‘yes on prop 8’ on all of my pictures and I have gotten texts like ‘oh you’re a stupid lesbian you probably have aids’ and just stuff like that.”

 

Jeff Fehr himself is quoted in the article.  And the junior girl who is bullied remains nameless, but we know there have been other teen suicides. She concludes:   “I feel like maybe if it was talked about more in class then maybe it would be less of a problem.”

 

So we’re talking about it.

 

In making and releasing this film I had countless conversations with SAP colleagues and beyond that I shall never forget.  Many of these conversations necessarily, given the track record of sustained bullying and cyberbullying as we’ve sadly grown to see above, revolved around how to react if people are going to say bad things. Many of the conversations however have been nothing short of inspirational, and these sustain me.

 

Recently I was asked something by one of our beloved community advocates right here on the SCN that I shall also never forget. The project resonated with her and she wondered whether, if she wrote about it, it would be inappropriate to talk about suicide and bullying in general and not specifically LGBT suicide and bullying.

 

And I answered about how she should absolutely do so — that she should apply the message in whatever direction speaks her truth.

 

Because what is a community?  The LGBT community may all-too-accurately point out that suicides within our community are markedly particular — the fact is, in U.S. surveys, lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents and adults have two to six times higher rates of reported suicide attempts compared to comparable straight people.  Among transgender people the rates of suicide attempts are markedly high but not well measured.

 

And yet LGBT people are our communities; and our communities at SAP and on the SCN represent diversity at its finest — we represent.

 

Communities are the sum of their people. And companies are the sum of their employees. And SAP helps companies run better. This film is about being better to each other, valuing differences – being the best people we can be.

 

Communities can hurt – and communities can help. Watch, share, talk, and help us be the kind that helps.

 

 

Tonight in Palo Alto we premiere the It Gets Better: SAP Employees film to a live audience in Cafe 1 at 5:30pm, where we welcome Granite Bay High School teacher Katrina Wachs to participate on a panel to talk about what is going on here. We also welcome local Gunn High School teacher Daisy Renazco and prominent LGBT suicide prevention organization Trevor Project CEO Abbe Land, as well as Seth Levy from the It Gets Better project.

 

If you are in town, please join us at 5:30 tonight.  If you are not, please watch the film and share widely.  Help us help even one person realize that they are not alone.  My deep thanks.

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      Author's profile photo Marilyn Pratt
      Marilyn Pratt

      Many know that the topic of inclusion is one that is extremely important to me, personally and professionally.  When it comes to the relevancy of this message, you Moya, and some of our other fellow employees and management have answered this so very well in this short film.

      You wrote so beautifully: 

      Communities are the sum of their people. And companies are the sum of their employees. And SAP helps companies run better. This film is about being better to each other, valuing differences - being the best people we can be.”

      Jim Snabe’s statement,  “We welcome different, we value different” resonates very deeply with me  as does Jan  Grasshoff’s sharing that:  “Diversity is something which we live …it is a fundamental…it is a core belief, no matter if it is in corporate life or private life”.

      While I have often wondered about the boundaries between corporate and personal life when it comes to topics such as religious belief or politics, there is no doubt in my mind that having and giving respect for our differences is our responsibility as well as our unalienable right.

      Thank you for the courage to champion and celebrate difference.

      Bullying, intimidation, and censorship can take many formats.  We are fortunate to have a community that is very vigilant around these topics. And a platform that is brave enough to honor a commitment to the message of "It Gets Better".

      Author's profile photo Moya Watson
      Moya Watson
      Blog Post Author

      Marilyn  --

      While I have often wondered about the boundaries between corporate and personal life when it comes to topics such as religious belief or politics, there is no doubt in my mind that having and giving respect for our differences is our responsibility as well as our unalienable right.

      And how can there really be boundaries? This project does nothing less than implore people to 'bring their whole selves' to work.  I find myself with less and less capability to fracture myself between 'work' and 'home' = especially in the online social age.

      The event and panel tonight drove that home -- and while online networking can hurt a great deal, we approached the idea that this happens *especially* with anonymity and lack of shepherding.  Take away your identity and you can be blind to the pain you inflict.  Be yourself? that takes guts.  We come in all stripes... you're one of my favorite zebra heroes ever.

      Author's profile photo Susan Keohan
      Susan Keohan

      Thank you Moya.  This video moved me to tears - but also has the positive message... I wish that no family would ever have to under go the pain of the Fehr family, just as I wish no child (young *or* old) would have to endure bullying.

      As you say, communities can help. 

      I'm here, ready to help.

      Sue

      Author's profile photo Moya Watson
      Moya Watson
      Blog Post Author

      I would love to talk to you more about what we discussed tonight on the panel, Susan.  Can't wait to make that recording available.  I can't help but think large global technology companies can play a role. You're awesome for engaging; thanks

      Author's profile photo Craig S
      Craig S

      I hope everyone takes the time to view this video.  Kudos to SAP for producing it.  As a person with gay family members I appreciate the effort that went into it. As a firefighter and a search & rescue team member, (many suicides are carried out or attempted in national, state and local park resources), I have seen first hand the affects suicides have on the family members left behind.  It is devastating.

      Regardless of a person's sexual orientation, skin color, social position, religion or any trait, characteristic or demographic, no one should experience or feel, the hopelessness or despair that is necessary to take one's own life.  For people to reach that point, we all, as a part of society, have played a role in allowing that to occur.  And we must, as a society, look at how each of us can prevent that from happening.

      There are ALWAYS people that care.  There is always someone you CAN reach out to.  Sometimes it might be the last person you expect.  It might even be someone you've never met.  But they are there and they are willing to help.  It can, and does get better.

      FF

      Author's profile photo Moya Watson
      Moya Watson
      Blog Post Author

      Thank you for being our first responder.  Is there a way that technology -- or technology companies -- can help connect first responders to those in times of crisis better? Mobile apps and online networks, in particular, may hold promise?  deep respect - and let me know any ideas.  I'm all ears.

      Author's profile photo Former Member
      Former Member

      Thank you Moya for your courage, strength and compassion for releasing this powerful and moving film.  It makes me even more proud to be part of the SAP Community.

      As Sue said in an earlier comment:

      I'm here, ready to help. 

      Karin

      Author's profile photo Former Member
      Former Member

      This makes us proud to be associated with SAP for taking this stand, proud of the response of our community members, and proud of Moya and what she has accomplished with the production and release of this video.  The video itself will probably bring tears to your eyes, but they'll be the good kind that come from a full heart.  Watch it in a private place, share it with someone, and live it in your words and actions.

      M.

      Author's profile photo John Astill
      John Astill

      What a powerful and heartwrenching video. Brings home the reality of the suffering bullies can create.

      It will get better

      JohnA

      Author's profile photo Daniel Wroblewski
      Daniel Wroblewski

      Moya, why is that every time there is some some cool, amazing and meaningful initiative, you're always in the center of it? This is really impressive, and a wonderful project.

      Daniel