www.ambiente.us MARCH / MARZO 2008
OPEd: Where’s the Outrage?
by Waymon Hudson
A 14-year-old student at a junior high school in Oxnard, Calif., has been accused
of a hate crime in the shooting of a 15-year-old classmate. Lawrence King was
declared brain dead on Feb 13th; Brandon McInerney is accused of shooting King
because he was gay. Prosecutors didn't provide details on the reason behind the
shooting or its classification as a hate crime.
With the announcement of the shooting death of Lawrence King, just 15, one has to
wonder-- where is the outrage and outcry from the public and media?
King was, by all accounts, a young man who was teased at school for his feminine
characteristics and sexual orientation. He was brutally gunned down in school by a
fellow student, Brandon McInerney. Police are still investigating, but have charged
McInerney with a hate crime.
I can’t help but notice, however, that no media outlets really seem to be covering this. The LGBT blogs
are buzzing and angry, but the 24 hour news stations are still focusing on anything but the violent loss of this
young man.
It seems the media and public are more concerned with where Britney Spears is, what’s the latest in
the old case of a missing pretty white girl in Aruba, or who made American Idol’s top 24. Meanwhile,
young kids are getting shot in school for simply being themselves.
At the very least it would make sense, with the other horrific school shooting in Illinois, to mention Kingâ
€™s murder.
But still there is silence.
Why is the life of a boy living outside the gender-norm less newsworthy? Why is the general public not
having vigils or crying for him?
Where is the outrage?
We can no longer stand by and let our youth get quietly gunned down. We can no longer turn a blind eye to
the effects of anti-LGBT rhetoric and bigotry. We cannot let this fade into the background.
My heart goes out to the family and friends of Lawrence.
My anger goes out to the people not concerned with the loss of this young life.
I hope our community can come together to make sure the life of this young man is not forgotten. Let your
outrage and anger be heard. Demand it be recognized.
Demand that Lawrence King’s life, and violent death, not get swept under the rug.
Waymon Hudson, founder and President of Fight OUT Loud
www.fightOUTloud.org
For information on LGBT Hate Crimes and how to help, visit www.GayAmericanHeroes.com
Copyright © fightoutloud.org & AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source.
OPEd: Where’s the Outrage?
by Waymon Hudson
A 14-year-old student at a junior high school in Oxnard, Calif., has been accused
of a hate crime in the shooting of a 15-year-old classmate. Lawrence King was
declared brain dead on Feb 13th; Brandon McInerney is accused of shooting King
because he was gay. Prosecutors didn't provide details on the reason behind the
shooting or its classification as a hate crime.
With the announcement of the shooting death of Lawrence King, just 15, one has to
wonder-- where is the outrage and outcry from the public and media?
King was, by all accounts, a young man who was teased at school for his feminine
characteristics and sexual orientation. He was brutally gunned down in school by a
fellow student, Brandon McInerney. Police are still investigating, but have charged
McInerney with a hate crime.
I can’t help but notice, however, that no media outlets really seem to be covering this. The LGBT blogs
are buzzing and angry, but the 24 hour news stations are still focusing on anything but the violent loss of this
young man.
It seems the media and public are more concerned with where Britney Spears is, what’s the latest in
the old case of a missing pretty white girl in Aruba, or who made American Idol’s top 24. Meanwhile,
young kids are getting shot in school for simply being themselves.
At the very least it would make sense, with the other horrific school shooting in Illinois, to mention Kingâ
€™s murder.
But still there is silence.
Why is the life of a boy living outside the gender-norm less newsworthy? Why is the general public not
having vigils or crying for him?
Where is the outrage?
We can no longer stand by and let our youth get quietly gunned down. We can no longer turn a blind eye to
the effects of anti-LGBT rhetoric and bigotry. We cannot let this fade into the background.
My heart goes out to the family and friends of Lawrence.
My anger goes out to the people not concerned with the loss of this young life.
I hope our community can come together to make sure the life of this young man is not forgotten. Let your
outrage and anger be heard. Demand it be recognized.
Demand that Lawrence King’s life, and violent death, not get swept under the rug.
Waymon Hudson, founder and President of Fight OUT Loud
www.fightOUTloud.org
For information on LGBT Hate Crimes and how to help, visit www.GayAmericanHeroes.com
Copyright © fightoutloud.org & AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source.
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