I worked with a lot of kids after 3×07, so many triggered into self-harm, depression, damaged self-esteem, even suicidal thoughts.  So many for whom Lexa was a beacon, a positive representation, cruelly stolen.  These are kids who struggle with trying to represent themselves, triggered by the disdain of those who simply do not care, by society and industry that still won’t recognise them, or just uses them, or by those who would rather be petty about a ‘ship’ instead of trying to understand (much less support) a minority that has so little on their side. 

I know it’s been hard for some to empathise with the snark, the anger, the ‘negativity’ of some (and yes, we’ve got some seriously messed up messages on all sides), but please, if you can, put that aside for a bit and try to show some supportive behaviour as the last episode airs.  If you know of kids who have been triggered, who are hurting, share a hug, even if just in a virtual sense, it doesn’t have to be much.  Share support lines.  Offer to watch for someone and give them a good opinion on whether they might be triggered or not.  A little kindness can do so much good.  

I’ll be posting support network numbers for tomorrow, if you can, please share them.   

And if you are friends with Bellarke fans, maybe you could reach out to them too, and ask them for what they’d like if the tables were turned.  There is a positive side to that fandom and a toxic one, too.  Maybe those positive voices could help wash out the negative.  Mocking kids over what they care about (and this goes in all directions) shouldn’t be what defines anyone.  For one night, at least, there can be a truce.  

Be safe, be kind.