The mystery behind the motives of Matthew Shepard's murdering will always remain unsolved. The debate is whether Shepard was killed because of a hate crime or because of a meth induced rage. Evidence leads to reason for both sides of the argument. This weeks discussions elaborated on the case.
Some say Aaron McKinney killed Matthew Shepard simply because of a meth rage. McKinney was a well known meth addict and had been a tweaker. Some evidence suggests that Shepard owed McKinney a large amount of money for meth and that's why he tried to rob him. McKinney's actions also show that he was in a rage. When his partner in crime, Russel Henderson, suggested that Shepard had enough beating, McKinney struck Henderson with the butt of his gun and then proceeded to wail on Shepard. Later that night, McKinney had tried to rob others too and this shows that he was specifically going after homosexuals. In fact, a limo driver explains that McKinney was a bisexual so it wouldn't make sense if his crime was driven by hate.
Although there is much support behind the possibility of the crime being motivated by meth, there are many facts proposing a hate crime against homosexuals. In the interrogation of McKinney, he is asked to describe Matthew Shepard. He uses derogatory terms describe Shepard like fag and homo. His reasons for beating Shepard seemed to be homophobic because he said he'd beat him if he touched him in the truck and the way he describes Shepard trying to fight back almost makes it seem like he's trying to make him seem woman like. He said that he tried to fight back with little swings of his arms. McKinney was tested for meth traces after the crime and none were found (even though the official documents couldn't be produced) so this indicates that it might have been a hate crime.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Laramie Project Discussions
Our in class discussions revealed how the book connected to the students on different levels. For the most part, everyone seemed to see the world as being unfair to homosexuals. The biggest discussion was probably about people's bias and about whether the crime was a hate crime or not.
Many examples showed how people in Wyoming were neutral, anti-gay, or pro-gay. Some people said they didn't mind the gays as long as they stayed away from them. Even some "in-the-closet" lesbians didn't want to be caught with other homosexuals because their identities might be torn apart. It's ironic that even homosexuals were a little homophobic at the time. Others were completely against homosexuals, particularly the baptist church. People protested the funeral of Matt and others thought that he deserved to die. Many people also had close friends or family who were homosexuals. They believed that everyone should have the same rights.
Our classes feedback was very meaningful and interesting to me. Everyone seemed to be hit on different levels. Some were personal and others felt compassion or pity for the homosexual community. It was discussed that bias can really change a persons opinion and how they act. In this play news reporters, civilians, homosexuals, and the american community were affected by their biases and it showed through how they acted and what they thought about the situation.
Many examples showed how people in Wyoming were neutral, anti-gay, or pro-gay. Some people said they didn't mind the gays as long as they stayed away from them. Even some "in-the-closet" lesbians didn't want to be caught with other homosexuals because their identities might be torn apart. It's ironic that even homosexuals were a little homophobic at the time. Others were completely against homosexuals, particularly the baptist church. People protested the funeral of Matt and others thought that he deserved to die. Many people also had close friends or family who were homosexuals. They believed that everyone should have the same rights.
Our classes feedback was very meaningful and interesting to me. Everyone seemed to be hit on different levels. Some were personal and others felt compassion or pity for the homosexual community. It was discussed that bias can really change a persons opinion and how they act. In this play news reporters, civilians, homosexuals, and the american community were affected by their biases and it showed through how they acted and what they thought about the situation.
Friday, November 1, 2013
Act 1 Reflection
In Act 1 of The Laramie Project by Moises Kaufman, we learned much about how people felt about homosexuality in their community. Many people accepted the fact that there were homosexuals but would rather avoid them. Others didn't care if there were homosexuals or not. However, being a homosexual meant that people's biases could harm them internally and externally.
In the life of a homosexual in the 90's, the world was turned against gays ad lesbians. Even the people who weren't against homosexuality were often homophobic. "And she later told me that there were other lesbians that she knew who wouldn't be seen with me. That I would irreparably taint them, that just to be see with me could be a problem" (Connolly 22). They didn't want to be marked as lesbians because they would be seperated from society. And there were people who were very much against homosexuality. They would put the importance of their own personal beliefs in front of real values such as morals, family, and equality. "And they brought me into their room and told me that if I did the scene, that they would not come to see me in the competition. Because they believed that it was wrong-that homosexuality is wrong-they felt that strongly about it that they didn't want to come see their son do probably the most important thing he'd done to that point in his life" (Schultz 12). It's terrifying how much power a bias can have over someone's decisions and bias is one of the biggest reasons that homosexuals are discriminated against. Other people display their hate against gays through physical harm. For example, Matthew Shepherd was beaten to death on a fence for the simple fact that he was gay. The attackers bias forced them to only care that he was a homosexual. People should be viewed for who they are and what they do instead of being discriminated against over something they were born with. Act 1 helps to understand the real world struggles that some homosexuals go through to this day.
In the life of a homosexual in the 90's, the world was turned against gays ad lesbians. Even the people who weren't against homosexuality were often homophobic. "And she later told me that there were other lesbians that she knew who wouldn't be seen with me. That I would irreparably taint them, that just to be see with me could be a problem" (Connolly 22). They didn't want to be marked as lesbians because they would be seperated from society. And there were people who were very much against homosexuality. They would put the importance of their own personal beliefs in front of real values such as morals, family, and equality. "And they brought me into their room and told me that if I did the scene, that they would not come to see me in the competition. Because they believed that it was wrong-that homosexuality is wrong-they felt that strongly about it that they didn't want to come see their son do probably the most important thing he'd done to that point in his life" (Schultz 12). It's terrifying how much power a bias can have over someone's decisions and bias is one of the biggest reasons that homosexuals are discriminated against. Other people display their hate against gays through physical harm. For example, Matthew Shepherd was beaten to death on a fence for the simple fact that he was gay. The attackers bias forced them to only care that he was a homosexual. People should be viewed for who they are and what they do instead of being discriminated against over something they were born with. Act 1 helps to understand the real world struggles that some homosexuals go through to this day.
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