| In honor of one very special, middle-grade student, Carson Bride, Other Worlds Games hosted a STOMP OUT THE BULLYING event on May 22, 2021. Carson was a favorite ‘regular’ player in our store. He enjoyed his hobby of playing Magic: the Gathering with his friends and we all enjoyed his smile and warm company. Both store-friends and co-workers are deeply touched by this tragedy. Carson will be sadly missed. The family, respectfully, has recently decided to open up more to us about their loss and the details surrounding it. Carson took his own life in June of 2020. He had been subject to ongoing, anonymous cyber-bullying. The pandemic only worsened his situation as places to seek refuge and be around friends were required to close up. I am told by Cason’s parents that Other Worlds was his favorite place to go. As a game store and a community “center” we not only gave their son a place to play but also perhaps a sanctuary to escape the bullying and loneliness. He is probably not alone in this. I am deeply humbled by their words. Visiting artists, Resa and Menace constructed a memorable mural showing Carson (left) playing with his brother, Jack, with Carson looking down from “above” (center). but also to come together and ‘show community’ as we acknowledge the importance of this issue and this loss on our extended store-family. The mural will be on display at Other Worlds for several weeks. We also ran a fund drive for “STOMP Out Bullying.” They are a “leading national nonprofit dedicated to changing the culture for all students.” Other Worlds took in donations in excess of $1,700 for Saturday’s event. |
