Today is James Alenson’s Funeral
January 25, 2007 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
The funeral service for 15-year-old James Alenson, who died last Friday after being stabbed by 16-year-old James Odgren, is today. A commenter noted that “Indications are that James, the boy who was murdered, was not a bully He was also SPED. [Updated March 30, 2007; see this comment.] Kids at his prior school described him as quiet.”
Regarding some members of a Scientology group protesting the psychiatric drug use by holding up signs at an intersection in Sudbury, Massachusetts (as quoted in today’s Sudbury Town Crier), Lincoln-Sudbury Superintendent and Principal John Ritchie said:
This kind of thing just seems like a bizarre sidelight that groups like this would show up at a time like this and try to inflame tensions when the community is grief-stricken. The message I’m trying to convey is we are busy taking care of much more important things than Tom Cruise and Scientology.”
We are, indeed.
Requiescat in pace, James Alenson.
I am so sorry that James is no longer with us. What happened to him just breaks my heart. I can’t even imagine the terror and confusion he must have felt. Rest in Peace, Sweet James, you will be greatly missed and always remembered.
With my deepest condolences to the Alenson family.
James was not in a SPED program. Please correct that.
Thank you, Kja, and apologies for the inaccuracy.
Any student who has an obsession with weapons should be closely supervised by school personnel, and treatments available to help daily. Asperger Syndrome does not usually cause criminal activity, but the lack of social awareness — including awareness of consequences — along with obsessions can cause problems. For the school system to lash out at the media or at Tom Cruise is inappropriate. Schools must also address students who (unlike the sudbury situation) have school bullies. Too often, schools skirt around the bullies, or believe that students must learn to take their knocks in real life. Some schools sees bullying as a natural expectation, even as a preparation for real life. Nullying is not addressed, and children are shaped forever by the social stigma and pressures in schools.
@Allison, Thank you—This was such a difficult case to think and write about. I have wondered what kind of difference providing more supports — and more anti-bullying education — would have made.