Tempest Smith
Encyclopedia
Tempest Kayne Smith was a 12-year-old girl from Lincoln Park, Michigan
, USA who committed suicide
by hanging
on February 20, 2001. Based on the contents of her diary
, the cause of the suicide was assumed to be bullying by her classmates at Lincoln Park Middle School. She wrote that she was targeted for her interest in Wicca
, alternative clothing styles and shy demeanor. At the time, school officials urged others not to put the blame on Smith's classmates, stating that burdening them with guilt over a student's death was not constructive.
Five months after the suicide, Smith's mother, Denessa, filed suit against the school, alleging that they had turned a blind eye to the bullying and that their inaction allowed an avoidable suicide. She also claimed that the school district was biased against followers of Wicca, referring to a 1999 case in which high schooler Crystal Seifferly sued the district for prohibiting her from wearing a pentacle
; in that case a US district judge ruled that the district's policy against such jewelry was a violation of religious freedom.
A foundation called the Tempest Smith Foundation was formed in her memory to promote religious tolerance.
Lincoln Park, Michigan
Lincoln Park is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It lies in an area of cities and communities known as Downriver. The population was 38,144 at the 2010 census . The settlement was organized as a village in 1921, and reorganized as a city in 1925. The area was originally home to...
, USA who committed suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
by hanging
Hanging
Hanging is the lethal suspension of a person by a ligature. The Oxford English Dictionary states that hanging in this sense is "specifically to put to death by suspension by the neck", though it formerly also referred to crucifixion and death by impalement in which the body would remain...
on February 20, 2001. Based on the contents of her diary
Diary
A diary is a record with discrete entries arranged by date reporting on what has happened over the course of a day or other period. A personal diary may include a person's experiences, and/or thoughts or feelings, including comment on current events outside the writer's direct experience. Someone...
, the cause of the suicide was assumed to be bullying by her classmates at Lincoln Park Middle School. She wrote that she was targeted for her interest in Wicca
Wicca
Wicca , is a modern Pagan religious movement. Developing in England in the first half of the 20th century, Wicca was popularised in the 1950s and early 1960s by a Wiccan High Priest named Gerald Gardner, who at the time called it the "witch cult" and "witchcraft," and its adherents "the Wica."...
, alternative clothing styles and shy demeanor. At the time, school officials urged others not to put the blame on Smith's classmates, stating that burdening them with guilt over a student's death was not constructive.
Five months after the suicide, Smith's mother, Denessa, filed suit against the school, alleging that they had turned a blind eye to the bullying and that their inaction allowed an avoidable suicide. She also claimed that the school district was biased against followers of Wicca, referring to a 1999 case in which high schooler Crystal Seifferly sued the district for prohibiting her from wearing a pentacle
Pentacle
A pentacle is an amulet used in magical evocation, generally made of parchment, paper or metal , on which the symbol of a spirit or energy being evoked is drawn. It is often worn around the neck, or placed within the triangle of evocation...
; in that case a US district judge ruled that the district's policy against such jewelry was a violation of religious freedom.
A foundation called the Tempest Smith Foundation was formed in her memory to promote religious tolerance.
External links
- Teasing sparks $10 million lawsuit - Lincoln Park district accused of religious bias in girl's suicide. The Detroit News/July 4, 2001 - By George Hunter
- The Tempest Smith Foundation