I know I said no more until PtT 16's ready, but...

[themeletor]

THE ULTIMATE SILENCE
October 12, 1998



Listen to the mustn'ts, child.
Listen to the don'ts.
Listen to the shouldn'ts,
The impossibles, the won'ts.
Listen to the never haves,
Then listen close to me ...
Anything can happen, child.
Anything can be.

~ Shel Silverstein

Six years ago today, Matthew Shepard was murdered for being homosexual.

What will you do to end the silence?

Click here to post this on your own page or weblog

Lyrics courtesy of drbillbongo:

Showers of your crimson blood
Seep into a nation calling up a flood
Of narrow minds who legislate
Thinly veiled intolerance
Bigotry and hate

But they tortured and burned you
They beat you and they tied you
They left you cold and breathing
For love they crucified you

I can't forget hard as I try
This silhouette against the sky

Scarecrow crying
Waiting to die wondering why
Scarecrow trying
Angels will hold carry your soul away

This was our brother
This was our son
This shepherd young and mild
This unassuming one
We all gasp this can't happen here
We're all much too civilized
Where can these monsters hide

But they are knocking on our front door
They're rocking in our cradles
They're preaching in our churches
And eating at our tables

I search my soul
My heart and in my mind
To try and find forgiveness
This is someone child
With pain unreconciled
Filled up with father's hate
Mother's neglect
I can forgive But I will not forget

Scarecrow crying
Waiting to die wondering why
Scarecrow trying
Rising above all in the name of love

- Melissa Etheridge, "Scarecrow"

Some things in this world are just too sad. Intolerance is a little bit of fear that can do a lot of damage. But a little bit of kindness can spread, too. So anyone reading this, do a little something nothing for no-one in particular... leave your change in the pop machine. Smile at someone you've never met. Buy him or her a coffee. In short, make someone's day. And pass this on.

Thank you.

Comments

[drbillbongo.livejournal.com]

Showers of your crimson blood
Seep into a nation calling up a flood
Of narrow minds who legislate
Thinly veiled intolerance
Bigotry and hate

But they tortured and burned you
They beat you and they tied you
They left you cold and breathing
For love they crucified you

I can't forget hard as I try
This silhouette against the sky

Scarecrow crying
Waiting to die wondering why
Scarecrow trying
Angels will hold carry your soul away

This was our brother
This was our son
This shepherd young and mild
This unassuming one
We all gasp this can't happen here
We're all much too civilized
Where can these monsters hide

But they are knocking on our front door
They're rocking in our cradles
They're preaching in our churches
And eating at our tables

I search my soul
My heart and in my mind
To try and find forgiveness
This is someone child
With pain unreconciled
Filled up with father's hate
Mother's neglect
I can forgive But I will not forget

Scarecrow crying
Waiting to die wondering why
Scarecrow trying
Rising above all in the name of love

- Melissa Etheridge, "Scarecrow"

it's the Em

[(Anonymous)]

You know I'm opposed to homosexual behavior. Yet I would also like to clarify that Matthew Shepard's murder was a hideous act. MURDER IS WRONG.ANY WAY YOU LOOK AT IT.

I don't know the particulars of this case, but cold-blooded murder is one of the worst sins possible, and whoever murdered this kid should be punished to the full extent of the law.

...just my two cents.

Because Em's comp was crabby...

[meletor-et-al.livejournal.com]

...she wanted me to get this up here. (went through all the trouble of e-mailing me and asking me to do so) *shrug* Not sure what good it will do, but here 'tis.

I'm aware this might not be taken well, but I would also like to clarify for whoever wrote the song/poem that the Catholic Church does NOT teach that it is okay to murder homosexuals. Might I add that the Church also teaches that it is NOT okay to murder abortion doctors, doctors who assist in suicide, or any other advocates opposed to what the Church holds dear.

It DOES tick me off when churches and their teachings are blamed for acts like these, especially when its own moral law states THOU SHALT NOT KILL.

Just for the record.

In the words of the Em.