UNL Researcher Reflects on Trip to Born This Way Foundation Launch
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A UNL researcher calls it an unprecedented opportunity--pair Lady Gaga's popularity and with her broad fan base to tackle a topic that affects so many kids. Bullying.
Dr. Susan Swearer recently got back from a trip to Lady Gaga's "Born This Way Foundation" launch. She says the sky's the limit for what Lady Gaga and her foundation can accomplish.
Lady gaga is a pop icon who's taking on an a cause near and dear to her heart.
She says, "What this is all about is saying the power is in your hands, and how can we come together with the greatest experts in the world, you, and create a world about tolerance love and acceptance."
One of those experts at the launch of the born this way foundation, Dr. Swearer of the UNL's Bully Research Network.
Dr. Swearer says, "To me what was so exciting about this opportunity was to spread the research message and knowledge that we know from research to really the public. And certainly a celebrity like Lady Gaga, can do that like any academic can't do."
Lady Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, was a victim of violence. Now she's reaching out to her fans, wanting to hear their stories through Twitter and the new Born This Way Foundation website. Dr. Swearer hopes Lady Gaga can create a kinder braver world.
Dr. Swearer tells 10/11, "I think her voice has such incredible reach, she's incredibly intellige! nt artic ulate individual, as is her mother who's the head of the foundation and if anyone can do it, they can."
She adds meeting Lady Gaga was pretty cool. She was very impressed with her passion to combat bullying, as well as her intelligence.
Dr. Swearer says the next concrete step is the Born Brave Bus. It will accompany Lady Gaga on her American tour and provide help to teens in every community it stops. Dr. Swearer says mental health professionals from each community the bus stops in, will staff the bus--answering questions and helping anyone who needs it.
For more information on the Born This Way Foundation, you can click on the link to the left.
Latest Comments
Posted by: anonymous on Mar 10, 2012 at 12:01 AM
So she plans on helping kids bullied and influence them to have more self esteem? Yeah, right, her videos are nothing but sex, violence and nudity.