Judy Shepard at UNC
Tonight, Matt, Brittany and I went to UNC to see Judy Shepard (Matthew Shepard's mother) speak. We left late and got there right around 7, thank goodness they started late. Judy Shepard is an amazing speaker, she doesnt speak from a set list of things, but she speaks from the heart.
The only thing she read was her statement to the court after Russell Henderson changed his plea from not guilty to guilty. They were going to have his trial start on April 5th, 1999, but since he restated his plea, the sentencing for that new plea began. Judy read her statement from the court that day. It brought us back to a time, soon after the fact that Matt was dead (October 12, 1998), and it brought tears to everyone around us. Then she just spoke like it is. She talked about what is necessary for us to work towards fighting the good fight. Talking openly and honestly about who we are without shame, regret, or fear. We can bridge differences with words, hugs, and our actions. For someone who isn't a professional speaker, she gave me and the crowd, a reason to believe again.
There are many times over the last year and a half where I became disgruntled, upset and disappointed over the things I couldn't accomplish. But in my years as someone outspoken and honest about who they are, my words, however small they may seem, make a difference. My letter to the editor against Jason Crawford's words of hate last week, along with the articles (once posted on the Carolinian website, I will post) printed in this week's edition of the Carolinian showed that UNCG queer folk and their allies do not take this lightly. We will not accept, tolerate or condone this behavior as our own. As Mrs. Shepard said herself, hate is a learned action, no one is born to hate, but we learn it. We must overcome those biases we have and work together to see common ground, as human beings. We bleed, we hope and we love all the same, isn't that what it is all about?
What happened to the common rule my friends? Where did we lose our respect for others, how did this world become so muddled with fear of standing up for what's right? Well, I'll tell you what, lately, I've lived in fear, I can't do that anymore. I have to fight for what's right, no matter how hard it gets, because it's the good fight, simple as that. Judy Shepard inspired, touched me, moved me and motivated me to become more than I have ever been.
Some may see Matthew Shepard being a martyr for a cause, I do not. There are many Matthews in the world, we just do not see them everyday, the news doesn't report them, they think we do not care. Let's learn from the past and let's push forward as one.
The only thing she read was her statement to the court after Russell Henderson changed his plea from not guilty to guilty. They were going to have his trial start on April 5th, 1999, but since he restated his plea, the sentencing for that new plea began. Judy read her statement from the court that day. It brought us back to a time, soon after the fact that Matt was dead (October 12, 1998), and it brought tears to everyone around us. Then she just spoke like it is. She talked about what is necessary for us to work towards fighting the good fight. Talking openly and honestly about who we are without shame, regret, or fear. We can bridge differences with words, hugs, and our actions. For someone who isn't a professional speaker, she gave me and the crowd, a reason to believe again.
There are many times over the last year and a half where I became disgruntled, upset and disappointed over the things I couldn't accomplish. But in my years as someone outspoken and honest about who they are, my words, however small they may seem, make a difference. My letter to the editor against Jason Crawford's words of hate last week, along with the articles (once posted on the Carolinian website, I will post) printed in this week's edition of the Carolinian showed that UNCG queer folk and their allies do not take this lightly. We will not accept, tolerate or condone this behavior as our own. As Mrs. Shepard said herself, hate is a learned action, no one is born to hate, but we learn it. We must overcome those biases we have and work together to see common ground, as human beings. We bleed, we hope and we love all the same, isn't that what it is all about?
What happened to the common rule my friends? Where did we lose our respect for others, how did this world become so muddled with fear of standing up for what's right? Well, I'll tell you what, lately, I've lived in fear, I can't do that anymore. I have to fight for what's right, no matter how hard it gets, because it's the good fight, simple as that. Judy Shepard inspired, touched me, moved me and motivated me to become more than I have ever been.
Some may see Matthew Shepard being a martyr for a cause, I do not. There are many Matthews in the world, we just do not see them everyday, the news doesn't report them, they think we do not care. Let's learn from the past and let's push forward as one.
Labels: amazing evening, friends, judy shepard, matthew shepard, unc
posted by Samantha @ 2:05 AM
1 Comments:
At 2:27 AM,
Samantha said…
i really hate blogger, but if you cannot see the photos well, than go on my facebook and ask for me to send you the photos.
Thanks :)
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