Member-only story
The Death of a Good Man: A Reflection on Modern American Society
When Online Harassment and Immigration Politics Collide with Fatal Consequences

A Friday Morning That Changed Everything
It was a crazy day. Friday morning I woke up and had my typical breakfast of very dark pumpernickel toast with tomato, salt, and a slice of cheese. I walked the dog and came home to find that I had four missed calls from a very close friend. Feeling that it was urgent, I quickly called her to see what was going on. Madison was in tears. A mutual friend had decided to take his own life after being harassed by some people on social media.
Who Was Gabriel?
Our friend, Gabriel, was a really good guy. A simple man in his early 40s, Gabriel was originally from Nicaragua and had moved to Texas over 20 years ago. He had his struggles getting his citizenship but somehow made it work. His children were born here. That is why he and his wife moved here in the first place. Like many people, he came here on a visa and overstayed. For most of the time, he was a cook in area restaurants. It wasn’t the greatest money, but it paid the bills. For a while, he worked in the local hospital at night cleaning and doing janitorial work. A labor job worker, he often found it…