By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Have You Seen This? 11-year-old writes heartbreaking rap to bully
9d593c48b1d1b2c33020d2e28ce32a3fa6ab99b8a0e0afbf19899a8497b6b680
A YouTube rap artist performs a heartbreaking rap that an 11-year-old boy wrote to a bully who used to be his friend. - photo by Martha Ostergar
THE PLAYGROUND The writers of Have You Seen This? often use this platform to entertain and amaze you in delightful ways.

In this piece, you may be amazed by an 11-year-old boys emotions, courage and talent, but you might be touched or even cry instead of being delighted.

Isaac K. wrote a rap about a friend who now bullies him, but Isaac was too nervous to perform it himself, according to YouTube user Mac Lethal. Mac saw something honest and valuable in the heartfelt lyrics, so he decided to help Isaac when he faltered.

Im going to rap this to the best of my ability, and I hope it helps him, Mac says at the beginning of the video with obvious tenderness.

As Mac gets into the meat of the lyrics, a heartbreaking scenario of bullying unfolds. We see a clear picture of a boy who misses a friendship and doesnt understand why it ended. The lyrics in their entirety are well worth the watch, but the real kicker is Isaacs refrain, which describes a feeling that so many people (children and adults alike) experience or fear.

Im different; I know that Im different

Im different; I know that Im different

Im different; I know that Im different

But I still care about you and our friendship."

There are so many ways that we are "different" from one another, but the truth is that we are all the same in the most fundamental ways we are all humans who all want to feel loved and valued. (At least in this writers opinion.)

I am joining my sentiments with Mac, hoping his performance helped Isaac. I also hope that you can find help and value in Isaacs words if you need it.

The video has garnered over 430,000 views since May 30 as well as many messages of support for Isaac. To see read the email Isaac wrote to Mac Lethal, see the first comment on the video on YouTube.
Its toxic: New study says blue light from tech devices can speed up blindness
93cbd7a5475cccd1cee701424125d3abaa9b4beaa58d3663208f656cbbbd7661
A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers. - photo by Herb Scribner
It turns out checking Twitter or Facebook before bed is bad for your health.

A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers.

That process can lead to age-related macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, according to the researchs extract.

Blue light is a common issue for many modern Americans. Blue light is emitted from screens, most notably at night, causing sleep loss, eye strain and a number of other issues.

Dr. Ajith Karunarathne, assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, said our constant exposure to blue light cant be blocked by the lens or cornea.

"It's no secret that blue light harms our vision by damaging the eye's retina. Our experiments explain how this happens, and we hope this leads to therapies that slow macular degeneration, such as a new kind of eye drop, he said.

Macular degeneration is an incurable eye disease that often affects those in their 50s or 60s. It occurs after the death of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Those cells need retinal to sense light and help signal the brain.

The research team found blue light exposure created poisonous chemical molecules that killed photoreceptor cells

"It's toxic. If you shine blue light on retinal, the retinal kills photoreceptor cells as the signaling molecule on the membrane dissolves," said Kasun Ratnayake, a Ph.D. student researcher working in Karunarathne's cellular photo chemistry group. "Photoreceptor cells do not regenerate in the eye. When they're dead, they're dead for good."

However, the researchers found a molecule called alpha-tocopherol, which comes from Vitamin E, can help prevent cell death, according to Futurism.

The researchers plan to review how light from TVs, cellphones and tablet screens affect the eyes as well.

"If you look at the amount of light coming out of your cellphone, it's not great but it seems tolerable," said Dr. John Payton, visiting assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. "Some cellphone companies are adding blue-light filters to the screens, and I think that is a good idea."

Indeed, Apple released a Night Shift mode two years ago to help quell blue lights strain on the eyes, according to The Verge. The screen will dim into a warmer, orange light that will cause less stress on the eyes.