PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE:
Wednesday Evening 9pm--post this blog by midnight Wednesday :)
Barak Obama and Mitt Romney
Topic Domestic Policy
The debate will focus on domestic policy and be divided into six time segments of approximately 15 minutes each on topics to be selected by the moderator and announced several weeks before the debate.
Watch the debate, take notes and post a blog by Wednesday midnight--
Discuss one thing that a candidate said that you agreed with, were persuaded by and explain why!
Discuss one thing a candidate said that confused you or that you disagreed with and explain why!
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Laramie Project
One of the most controversial topics
in society is Homosexuality which is found at any point of history however it
has a bigger impact nowadays creating question about what is right or wrong or
how flexible or conservative we are about the gay community. A perfect example
is the play base on true events on Laramie, Wyoming
“The Laramie Project” by Moises Kaufman where the great tragedy related towards
Matthew Shepard's death emphases a taboo of society; either he was a victim of
gay racism or of a robbery that end up taking his life. I am going to compare two
different characters with a completely opposite point of view about this case
in order to have a better understanding whether the problem is on us or on how
society is established to cope with these situations.
Romaine
Patterson was a close friend of Matt. Her sister owns a store in
the town while she works in a coffee shop. Matt used to frequent her and tell
her about his life. “He told me that he joined the gay and lesbian group on
campus, and he said he was enjoying it” (Kaufman 20) we can see that Matt was
happy living in Laramie; he was very open about being gay and would let anyone
know about it. After she heard Mathew was found critically hurt
and in pointed out that he was assaulted Romaine could believe it. “He would
like hand over his wallet in two second- because money meant nothing.” (Kaufman
30) Matt came from a wealthy family and money was not his concert therefore
there was something else. Later on it the evidence let to know that Matthew Shepard
was a victim of a premeditated violence. “Whenever I think of
Mathew, I always think of his incredible beaming smile.” Romaine descried him
as a good person who wanted to find his path in life, Matthew a
gay person whose concert was to protect people’s rights.
Batiste mister is a strong religious person “He
has very biblical views about homosexuality- he doesn't condone that kind of
violence. But he doesn’t condone that of lifestyle. (Kaufman
27). This is how his wife described him as I am pretty sure she shared these thoughts
too. It means that he believed whatever is in the bible therefore he strongly disliked
gay people. He opposed any thought in pro of homosexuality stating that what is
grown in the bible is forbidden and should be corrected. He always finish his speeches
with the words “the world is either sufficient or it is not.” (Kaufman 25) it
tells us that he is concert with the violence of the case but he strongly avoid
justifying Matthew’s style of life and
that it’s wrong to accept it. Batiste minister an interesting character because
as a head of the church he is supposed to be wise and should know how to deal
with topics that bible is not into but he just close himself to opinions about
it showing a ignorance for not being able to be flexible to this situation.
The different
point of view on society can be a problem when they completely oppose each other
about delicate topics as is Homosexuality. Making a reference to what Aristotle
believed about the evil of humans are either innate, we born with it, or culturally
produced, we are influenced by the society that surrounds us we can say that
this two different point of view relate more to the culturally produced
condition but still one in a positive way and the other one in a negative way. Romaine
Patterson is a home girl with virtues who believed we should respect gay people
since we all are humans but the batiste mister opposed that thought as a result
that he was more influenced by church rather than family concert. We could say
that Matthew’s sexual preferences are innate because he was born with it even
in a society that tries to avoid homosexuality.
Monday, October 1, 2012
The Larime Project
"The Laramie Project" by Moisés
Kaufman and members of the Tetonic Theater Project is play based on the catastrophic
murder of Matthew Shepard. As a innocent, naive homosexual who lived in Laramie , Wyoming Laramie
Doc
O'Connor was a limousine driver and local entrepreneur. He was Shepard's driver
to the bar the night Shepard was beaten. He passively disagreed with the
beating, he claimed that Shepard had
straight forward attitude that he liked that although he was very
flamboyant. Doc O'Connor says "The
are more gay people in On the other hand, the Baptist Minister, had a very different biblical view in mind on Shepard's homosexuality. He strongly disagrees with that lifestyle, he felt that the beating was absolutely wrong, but the minister believes that Shepard should have thought about his way of life while he was slowly dying on the fence. He stays, “I hope that Matthew Shepard as he was tied to that fence, that he had time to reflect on a moment when someone spoken the word of the lord to him; and before he has slipped into that coma he had a chance to reflect on his lifestyle” (Kaufman, 69). The minister strongly expresses religious views, but he did say "I don't know that I really want to talk..I don't think.." Kaufman, 67). I think the ministers response was greatly influence by his religion and said what people of
The Laramie Project
Matt Galloway
Baptist Minister
The Laramie project is a highly intimate play staged in Laramie, Wyoming envisioning the story behind Mathew Sheperds murder, which shook the entire United States and especially Wyoming State in its time period. Mathew Sheperds was an openly gay college student, one of very few in Laramie at the time. He was lured in by two local boys who had told him they too were gay, and beat him into a coma and left him tied to a fence in a deserted place for over 18 hours. This beating results in the passing of Mr. Sheperds three days after his discovery, leaving the two boys accountable for 2nd degree murder. Although this incident had a ground shaking impact on the community of Laramie, the citizens opinions on it varied.
The fact was that gays were not easily accepted in Laramie. And since this particular case was taken upon as a "hate crime" against the gays, people of the town had a lot to agree and disagree on. Firstly, there were people who didn't like what had happened, but didn't feel the need to take this crime as seriously as any other first degree murder crime because they didn't approve of the gays.
For example Sherry Johnson, wife of the highway patrolman of Laramie said
" Alot of that the media is portraying Matthew Shepard as a saint. and making him as a martyr. i don't think he was. I don't think he was that pure...you know about his character and the kind of person he was..everyone got problems. but why they exemplified him I don't know."(Moises Kaufmen 64)
I believe this reaction made by Mrs. Johnson was of an innate nature. Because although she indicated that she is bothered by his being gay, she also described that if it is a first degree murder and a hate crime, it is what it is and it should be tried as what it is. She saw no point in making it a national, even a global scandal. And that sort of opinion formation, I believe, comes from not biased reaction to the particular event, but how she views everything.
An example of a culturally formulated opinion would be that of the priests. The Baptist Minister who was a part of the Laramie community at the time, recognized Matthew Shepards as a sinful being. When one of the reporters interviewed him he had said the following things:
"Now as for the victim, I know that lifestyle is legal, but I hope that Matthew Shepard as he was tied to that fence, that he had time to reflect on a moment when someone had spoken the word of Lord to him-and that before he slipped into a coma he had a chance yo reflect on his lifestyle." (Moises Kaufmen 69)
Baptist Minister
The Laramie project is a highly intimate play staged in Laramie, Wyoming envisioning the story behind Mathew Sheperds murder, which shook the entire United States and especially Wyoming State in its time period. Mathew Sheperds was an openly gay college student, one of very few in Laramie at the time. He was lured in by two local boys who had told him they too were gay, and beat him into a coma and left him tied to a fence in a deserted place for over 18 hours. This beating results in the passing of Mr. Sheperds three days after his discovery, leaving the two boys accountable for 2nd degree murder. Although this incident had a ground shaking impact on the community of Laramie, the citizens opinions on it varied.
The fact was that gays were not easily accepted in Laramie. And since this particular case was taken upon as a "hate crime" against the gays, people of the town had a lot to agree and disagree on. Firstly, there were people who didn't like what had happened, but didn't feel the need to take this crime as seriously as any other first degree murder crime because they didn't approve of the gays.
For example Sherry Johnson, wife of the highway patrolman of Laramie said
" Alot of that the media is portraying Matthew Shepard as a saint. and making him as a martyr. i don't think he was. I don't think he was that pure...you know about his character and the kind of person he was..everyone got problems. but why they exemplified him I don't know."(Moises Kaufmen 64)
I believe this reaction made by Mrs. Johnson was of an innate nature. Because although she indicated that she is bothered by his being gay, she also described that if it is a first degree murder and a hate crime, it is what it is and it should be tried as what it is. She saw no point in making it a national, even a global scandal. And that sort of opinion formation, I believe, comes from not biased reaction to the particular event, but how she views everything.
An example of a culturally formulated opinion would be that of the priests. The Baptist Minister who was a part of the Laramie community at the time, recognized Matthew Shepards as a sinful being. When one of the reporters interviewed him he had said the following things:
"Now as for the victim, I know that lifestyle is legal, but I hope that Matthew Shepard as he was tied to that fence, that he had time to reflect on a moment when someone had spoken the word of Lord to him-and that before he slipped into a coma he had a chance yo reflect on his lifestyle." (Moises Kaufmen 69)
Laramie Project
Matthew Shepherd was brutally
murdered on October, 6 of 1998. He was a 21year old student living in the town
of Laramie, Wyoming. His death was publicized and highly exemplified as a hate
crime against a gay individual. The tradgedy was so flabbergasting that the
Tectonic Theatre Project gathered a number of interviewers and send them to the
town to get as much information and insight on the murder, lives and opinions of
those who surrounded Matt. A play was then formatted freely, and both sides of
Laramie were explored.
Dr.Cantway
was the doctor who consistently updated the media as he tended to Matt. A man
who openly disagrees with the homosexual life yet, he never gave negative
commentary about his patient. Then, at the other end of the spectrum was the
Baptist Minister, who doesn’t speak much, but elaborates his opinions of
homosexuality by his heavy comment “I hope that Matthew Shepherd as he was tied
to that fence, had time to reflect on his lifestyle.” (Laramie Project, 69)
I
believe that there are many factors to the difference of feelings and opinions
expressed by both of these individuals. Firstly, Dr.Cantway had a personal and
close contact view of Matthew. He witnessed the intensity of the situation. The
blood stained boy, the coma he fell in to, the weeping parents; the doctor
tended to this young man as a human, not as a gay, or a fag or homosexual. The
Baptist on the other hand, had no type of communication, whether physical,
spiritual, nothing of the sort. He was a distant stranger, who spoke according
to the text in his religion and the words chiseled into him from a Bible. His profession is to preach about the evils of
the world, and Matthew, whom he has never had contact with, is a perfect
example of that ‘evil’.
When
your profession is to take care of the wounded, a sort of intimate relationship
connects the patient and that who is tending to them. The doctor felt the
sympathy and was certainly impacted to know that this person dying in front of
him; was beaten by two other boys that he had taken care of. I think that
experience opened his eyes to the fact that it doesn’t matter who it is that
walks inside his doors for help, what they did was unacceptable. “…I took care
of both of their bodies. And.. for a brief moment I wondered if this is how God
feels when he looks down at us.” (Laramie Project, 38)
I
definitely believe that the attitudes expressed by these two individuals are
culturally produced. We become a by-product of our society. Even Shannon, a
friend of one of the accused said it when asked if the two went to school
together. “Can’t you tell, we’re a product of our society” (Laramie Project,
62) As children, there are certain things that are taught to us. Our beliefs
are grown from habit of thought. As we grow older, there are many times where
becoming independent and experiencing new things can help us create our own
beliefs. But in this case, many of these people were basically stuck in a box.
Their beliefs are caged inside their heads with no type of freedom, or
questioning. That is what happened with these two men, one experiences real
live humans hurting and connects with their reality. While the other preaches
his beliefs off of a book, an experience which is not even his own.
The Laramie Project Compare two opposing views
Rachel Hayat English Hw
Dr.Van Slyck 10/01/2012
In the play The Laramie Project there are many controversial views on the death of Matthew
Shepard, a homosexual student living in Laramie Wyoming. Many believe that the death of Matthew
Shepard was a hate crime and more importantly a savage unforgivable. Unfortunately there are
some who believe that the crime of Matthew's sexual orientation supersedes the crime of the incident.
In the play many interviews are taken and we are able to see the various views of the towns' people.
Some believe he deserved to die, others believe his death was shocking and horrible. Most are
overwhelmed by the chaos of it all.
Sherry Johnson, the wife of a highway patrolman, shares her beliefs with the church. Raised
to fear and loath homosexuals she is confused and cautiously mournful. During her interview she
goes on to say (in vague terms) that she does not believe in what Matthew stood for:
"Now I didn't know him, but… there's just so many things about him that i found out that I just, it's scary.
You know bout his character and spreading AIDS and a few other things, you know, being the kind of
person that he was. He was, he was just a barfly, you know. And I think he pushed himself around. I think he
flaunted it" (Kaufman 62). Based on her answer you can see that although she knew deep down what
happened to Matthew was wrong, she still refrained from being upset due to her disliking of his sexual orientation.
Mrs.Johnson's reaction to Matthew was culturally induced. She was most likely brought up in a home that went to church
where she learned that homosexuality is supposedly a sin. Racism and Homophobia are learned traits brought on
usually by parents or teacher figures.
One of the interviewed towns people, Matt Galloway, did not share Mrs. Johnson's opinion in the slightest.
Matt worked at the bar where Matthew had been kidnapped and had seen most of it happen. He strongly believed
it was not Matthew's fault and that the perpetrators should be severely punished. He believed Matthew
was a decent, respectable human being and there was no way he came on to the guys who took him.
During the interview Matt says "Why would he approach them? Why them? He wasn't approaching anybody else in
the bar. They say he's gay, he was a flaming gay, he's gonna come on the people like that. Bullshit. He never came
on to me. Hello?!? He came on to them? I don't believe it" (Kaufman 31). Matt's response to Matthew's death was also
culturally cultivated. You learn what to like and not like from experience; it is not a trait had from birth. Matt was clearly
brought up in a home that did not discriminate against sexual orientation. He learned to be open minded and not judge
others based on who they like to sleep with.
The Laramie Project- Erika Perez
The Laramie Project is a play about the death of Mathew Shepard.
Member of the theatre project go to Laramie to do research for the play they
are creating and up end really discovering the truth. By conducting interviews
with different members of the Laramie town they discover different points of views
of what actually happened.
There are so many different points people made about what
they think really happened to Mathew that day. Some say Mathew was asking for
it by flaunting his sexuality and spreading the AIDS virus to different members
of the town. Others show such compassion and are completely moved by what
happened to Mathew.
“And a lot of it is my feeling that the media is
portraying Mathew Shepard as a saint. And making him as a martyr. And I don’t think
he was. I don’t think he was pure” (Kaufman.64).
This statement was made by Sherry Johnson, a wife of a highway patrolman. “Now I
don’t know him, but… there’s just so many things about him that I found out
that I just, it’s scary. You know about his character and spreading AIDS and a
few other things, you know being the kind of person that he was” (Kaufman.64). Mrs. Johnson created
her views of Mathew by listening to rumors about him without knowing him. Mrs.
Johnson claims Mathew flaunted his sexuality. Mrs. Johnson practically said he
was asking for it. A few other members of the community said the same thing and
showed no type of sympathy at all or compassion at all.
Dr. Cantway is the very opposite of Mrs. Johnson and the
other members of the community who side with her. Dr. Cantway was very
sympathetic towards Mathew and even Aaron McKinney, the man who killed Mathew. The
part that touched me most was when he explained the experience of having both
of them in his hospital at the same time. “They were both my patients and they were
two kids. I took care of both of them… of both their bodies. And … for a brief moment
I wondered if this is how God feels when he looks down at us. How we are all
his kids … Our bodies … Our souls … and I felt a great deal of compassion … for
both of them…” (Kaufman.38).
This line showed how much of a strong man Dr.Cantway was. To be able to admit
his feelings towards both of his patients, with two very different types of
stories.
Both of these characters in the play have such an
important view of Mathew and make you really think about whose side you should
really be on. Dr. Cantway showing a great deal of compassion to the victim and perpetrator
really shows how we are all human and our misunderstanding towards things or
people who are different do not have to lead towards violence. Mrs. Johnson’s
point of view just proved of how ignorant and how intolerant people of Laramie
still are towards homosexuality and other things they do not understand. After
reading and watching The Laramie Project, it has saddened me to see that the
death of Mathew is what opened the members of Laramie’s mind and heart towards
hatred and homosexuality.
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