Federal Hate Crime Law
On March 22, 2000 I was in a limo going out to Fitchburg, MA. We were on our way to pick up Judy Shepard, mother of the late Matthew Shepard. At the time I was the student director of the Queer Student Union at Umass Boston. We had managed to bring Ms. Shepard to Umass Boston to speak about her son's death. It was one of her first appearances after Matthew's murdered. I remember standing in front 600+ people to introduce her. I was interviewed for the local nightly news programs. Judy, others, and myself talked about the need for equal protection under the law.
Today, almost 10-years later, I saw Judy standing next to President Obama as he discussed signing the Matthew Shepard / James Byrd hate crime legislation into federal law. To date, I have never had a professional job in private sector, and have always worked for various social services / social justice organizations. Such work does not pay well, has little benefits and job security, and is often looked down upon by people with "real" jobs. Because of the choices I have made (and law school debt), I will probably never own a house, be able to retire, and will have a lower standard of living than the average American. For many reasons it is often discouraging work. The pay-offs are few and far between, with virtually no "thank-yous."
That said, today hopes of justice in a fight many helped wage became a national reality. Though they are few and far between, it is days like this that reaffirm the choices I have made were the right ones; I can look the mirror at night and know I made a difference, even if so slight.
Godspeed, Matthew.
Today, almost 10-years later, I saw Judy standing next to President Obama as he discussed signing the Matthew Shepard / James Byrd hate crime legislation into federal law. To date, I have never had a professional job in private sector, and have always worked for various social services / social justice organizations. Such work does not pay well, has little benefits and job security, and is often looked down upon by people with "real" jobs. Because of the choices I have made (and law school debt), I will probably never own a house, be able to retire, and will have a lower standard of living than the average American. For many reasons it is often discouraging work. The pay-offs are few and far between, with virtually no "thank-yous."
That said, today hopes of justice in a fight many helped wage became a national reality. Though they are few and far between, it is days like this that reaffirm the choices I have made were the right ones; I can look the mirror at night and know I made a difference, even if so slight.
Godspeed, Matthew.