Can we ever forget the tragic events surrounding the life and death of Matthew Sheppard? It seems ironic that we are truly discussing the issue of hate in America -- or are we? 10 years ago today, a young college student was brutally MURDERED and left to die. It would be days of horror and agony before he would eventually succumb to the brutality he suffered.
I find it difficult and painful to watch the Laramie Project (to this day). Tears stream down my face when I come to my opinion that very little has changed. Dramatic? I think not. I walked down the hallway of my school (as a teacher) and heard a student (again) yell out to me (with his friends looking on) "Batti Boy"....TRANSLATION: (from Jamaican) "Ass boy". The impact and unspoken truth of this phrase is that it is used in Reggae songs and in Jamaica to a pejorative term. If you call someone a Batti Boy in Jamaica....well...it may lead to their death!
Why did I mark inspirational on this post? Well....I have the hope that things WILL change. I have moved forward at my school on disciplining the student for harassment. The District I work in in Florida is one of the few that has protection for (first) teachers, and (then) students based on sexual orientation.
While I am not completely satisfied with Senator Obama's position on LGBT rights...I will support him! BUT UNDERSTAND THIS.....change starts with you.
I have attached a PDF file with info about Matthew Sheppard. Rest in Peace Young Man.
Look down on us from heaven and know that we are trying to make things better.
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