She was Hannah Baker and she ended her life.
Netflix has done something, not many dare to do. Their new series discusses suicide like nothing I've ever witnessed before. 13 Reasons Why is an in-depth analysis of one girl's experience and it is uncomfortable, to say the least. The character leaves behind chilling tapes for the thirteen people who ultimately caused her death - and she narrates the story from behind the mic. The stylized implications of the film and its seriousness lends it to feeling like a documentary. And in some ways, it is. The series is quite short - touching on the various ways external forces and opinions and actions of others affect teenagers. No spoilers. After the emotional roller coaster ride of her sophomore year, Hannah gives life one more chance. There is only one reason to watch this series and it is for its brutal honesty. In a world where we fabricate what others see, it is no question how cyberbullies find their victims. The large audience of their following is enough to knock someone down the social ladder and as much as we don't like to think about it - schoolyard bullying has evolved into something nasty with cellular data. This constant show we put on can only hide the hurt, but what's inside continues to fester in the loneliest corners of our conscience.
The truth of 13 Reasons Why is so powerful it had me pondering the way I approach general conversation. Is what I am communicating being received and positively impacting those who listen? What can I do to better receive what others say or think about me? This series leaves you with more questions than you originally had throughout the narrative. *Graphic scenes and the realistic quality of interaction are powerful in describing the world of Hannah's thoughts. The producers really focused on the central issue and didn't let the salient message become lost in the glittery fantasy of romantic moments and teenage angst. Hannah - she is dead and you know this going in, but it doesn't make it any easier. The sentiment of "it doesn't get easier" is repeated consistently and, interestingly enough, contradicts the messages of suicide prevention campaigns and charities who say "thrive", "You can not be replaced", one non-profit for LGBT youth even saying "it gets better."
Selena Gomez worked on the project, too. "It hits a very important part of me, and I think this is what (kids)
need to see," she said. "They have to see something that's going to
shake them. They have to see something that's frightening. ... I want
them to understand it. ... I would do anything to have a good influence
on this generation. It's hard, but I definitely relate to everything
that was going on, and I was there for the last episode. I was a mess
just seeing it all come to life, because I've experienced just that." (CNN)
13 Minutes*.
*the frequency of suicides on average in the US
You don't need 13 reasons to watch this series - just one. #awareness
