'Bully' too much to take for two moms

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - WISH-TV hosted a special screening of the movie “Bully” with the director of the film Monday night. The documentary and Q-and-A session with the director brought out a crowd.

It was a great turnout for the documentary, shown Monday night at AMC Washington Square. Some parents brought their children, and others came with various groups. It was an eye-opening experience for many, but for two mothers the movie was too hard to watch.

The movie follows students in high school and their families. It also focuses on the deaths of two students, victims of bullying who took their own lives.

While people took seats to watch the documentary, two mother’s didn’t. Lana Swoape and LaTrice Nash chose to stay outside.

“I wish I could have did more to help my baby, “ Swoape said.

“My daughter wasn’t just bullied by her peers, she was bullied by adult administrators,” Nash said.

Swoape held a picture of her daughter, 15-year-old Tori , who she said was a victim of constant bullying at Bloomington North High School. Last Friday, she buried her daughter.

“It’s still too fresh. My daughter committed suicide two weeks ago today. My son and my best friend came, and they are watching the movie, but I’m not ready for that. I come to support my daughter, to support my son, my friend that wanted to see it,” Swoape said.

Nash said she couldn’t see the film because the sound of the word bully cuts her to pieces. Her daughter committed suicide Jan. 21.

Nash fought back the tears as she talked about her 15-year-old daughter My’ell , a freshman at Warren Central High School.

“The twinkle in her eye just disappeared,” Nash said. “Now, this is an honor student. Instead of me enjoying all of her accomplishments, all I have left is videos, pictures and a wall full of plaques, because this could have been prevented.”

We talked to several parents who said the documentary moved them to tears. It got such a great response that AMC Theatres plan to show the documentary again this Friday at AMC Showplace 17, 4324 S. Meridian St.