The White House Boys

The Issue

The Florida State Reform School, currently being called the Authur G. Dozier School for Boys, established by the State of Florida's lawmakers, has been hiding a horrific secret for over half a century.  The school, which was built in 1897, was intended to be a place where adolescent boys, some as young as 8 years old, could be separated from the prison system, and the evils of adult criminals, and could receive the education and mental support they needed as young men.  It was established in order to provide young offenders a place where they could grow and learn, and in that way, be reformed enough to be contributing members of society.  Instead, it became a "new kind of hell".  Most people could never imagine the horrific acts that were committed behind the secret doors of this schools ironically beautiful brick buildings and lush lawns. The victims, and they truly were victims, have finally come forward to unearth the deadly deeds that occured there.  The men who made it through this school with their lives, and not much else, now call themselves the White House Boys, after the small white building that still sits on those lush lawns, where they were raped and beaten, to the point of nonrecognition, on a regular basis.  These men now need society's support in order to do what they were not able to do as little boys. These men now need our support in order to stand up to their offenders, support to finally receive what they were continually denied, a life.

avatar of the starter
Marissa HebisenPetition StarterI am a 30 year old woman who for years taught third grade in the public school system before becoming extremely upset about the bureaucracy behind the scenes. Because of that, I decided that I would get my masters and become a school phsycologist. But then, I made the very difficult decision to no longer work in a school setting and finally follow my life dream of studying and protecting our endangered primates, whom I believe we cannot live without. I am extremely passionate about preserving our planet, our animals, and even some of our humans. Sadly, I believe that until the last tree is cut down, and the last river has been poisoned, and the last animal has been killed, will we finally realize that we cannot survive or eat money. I am so ashamed and devastated by what is going on in this world, and by the amount of people who are unwilling to open their eyes to the horrific mess we are creating and leaving in our wake. So. my only choice is to take a stand.
This petition had 187 supporters

The Issue

The Florida State Reform School, currently being called the Authur G. Dozier School for Boys, established by the State of Florida's lawmakers, has been hiding a horrific secret for over half a century.  The school, which was built in 1897, was intended to be a place where adolescent boys, some as young as 8 years old, could be separated from the prison system, and the evils of adult criminals, and could receive the education and mental support they needed as young men.  It was established in order to provide young offenders a place where they could grow and learn, and in that way, be reformed enough to be contributing members of society.  Instead, it became a "new kind of hell".  Most people could never imagine the horrific acts that were committed behind the secret doors of this schools ironically beautiful brick buildings and lush lawns. The victims, and they truly were victims, have finally come forward to unearth the deadly deeds that occured there.  The men who made it through this school with their lives, and not much else, now call themselves the White House Boys, after the small white building that still sits on those lush lawns, where they were raped and beaten, to the point of nonrecognition, on a regular basis.  These men now need society's support in order to do what they were not able to do as little boys. These men now need our support in order to stand up to their offenders, support to finally receive what they were continually denied, a life.

avatar of the starter
Marissa HebisenPetition StarterI am a 30 year old woman who for years taught third grade in the public school system before becoming extremely upset about the bureaucracy behind the scenes. Because of that, I decided that I would get my masters and become a school phsycologist. But then, I made the very difficult decision to no longer work in a school setting and finally follow my life dream of studying and protecting our endangered primates, whom I believe we cannot live without. I am extremely passionate about preserving our planet, our animals, and even some of our humans. Sadly, I believe that until the last tree is cut down, and the last river has been poisoned, and the last animal has been killed, will we finally realize that we cannot survive or eat money. I am so ashamed and devastated by what is going on in this world, and by the amount of people who are unwilling to open their eyes to the horrific mess we are creating and leaving in our wake. So. my only choice is to take a stand.

The Decision Makers

Roger Kiser
Roger Kiser
The White House Boys
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Petition created on May 2, 2009