Is Trayvon Martin the New Matthew Shepard?
We all know the story -- it's part of our national and cultural narrative.
On October 7, 1998, gay college student Matthew Shepard was lured out of a bar by two typical local redneck homophobes in Laramie, Wyoming and taken outside of town where he was lashed crucifixion-style to a buck-and-rail fence, robbed, beaten beyond recognition, and left to suffer without his shoes, his ring, and his wallet. The two redneck homophobes were arrested and convicted of kidnapping, aggravated robbery, and capital murder but not of a "hate crime," since the statute didn't exist in such a backwards state.
The death of Matthew Shepard inspired mountains of media coverage that, for the most part, hewed very closely to the narrative described above. There have been plays and movies performed about the incident, foundations created, and much righteous anger as well as nationwide efforts to enact hate crime laws. Most of all, though, the narrative serves the bigotry and preconceived notions of many who look down their noses at fly-over states.
The facts about the murder don't flow as smoothly as the cultural narrative, though. In fact, trial transcripts and witnesses agree that Matthew Shepard left the bar willingly with two 21-year-old local thugs. The thugs, who worked as roofers, were in the last violent rampages of a multi-day meth run and were looking for either money or drugs -- or both -- to keep it going. Shepard dressed well and looked like he had money, which he did. Something happened in the pickup between the thugs and Shepard. There are accounts that Shepard came on to one of the thugs. There are theories that Shepard -- who was flamboyantly and unashamedly gay -- wouldn't give them money or drugs or simply wouldn't shut up. What happened next was horrible and inexcusable. The thugs robbed, pistol-whipped and beat Shepard (who was physically slight) and tied his hands behind his back to a pole four inches tall and left him outside the city limits but within sight of Laramie. After leaving Shepard, the thugs got into another fight with two local punks on the streets of Laramie that resulted in their arrest. The next day, a local sheriff's deputy found Matthew Shepard 18 hours after he'd been left. He died days later.
This post is not intended in any way to excuse the heinousness of the crime. The two thugs deserve to be where they are -- in prison awaiting death. But the facts poke holes in the perfect structure of the narrative until the narrative itself starts to weave from side to side. Rarely are drugs part of the narrative. Although what the thugs did was horrible, Matthew Shepard wasn't crucified on a fence. And while I have no doubt Shepard's gayness was a factor in the utter savageness of the beating, there is no concrete evidence that his sexuality was the sole motivating factor in the crime.
Several years ago, my wife and I were guests at a literary conference in the South of France with several other American authors. One author in particular was a loud annoying leftie from Connecticut who made his views known to anyone who would listen and of course the French ate him up. When we met and I told him I was from Wyoming, his first response was, "Oh yeah -- the Matthew Shepard state." My wife held me back. When I cooled down, we both tried to tell him there was more to the story but he refused to listen. The narrative was set and remains set. It is part of our national consciousness, and feeds a certain elite mindset like CO2 feeds plants.
As a Wyoming native and resident, it infuriates me. People I know in this sparsely populated mountain state may be tough and flinty at times, but on the whole they're fair and open-minded. It's not who you are or what your name is but what you do. Folks of any racial or sexual persuasion are revered if they work hard, contribute to the community, and don't screw anyone around. I could give hundreds of examples of proof but this post would get too long. And it would clash with the narrative.
And here we come to Trayvon Martin. The narrative was established early and with thunderous certainty by some. It goes like this: A bitter white guy named George Zimmerman stalked a young black man in a white gated community in Florida and murdered him in cold blood and the local redneck cops didn't even arrest him, which goes to show you that America is still racist, blood-thirsty, and corrupt. There should be a law!
I've followed the case casually and I'm no expert on it. But I do recognize a narrative desperately being pushed whether it turns out to be true or not. Will the narrative stick? Is it so firmly established already that the facts of the case -- whatever they turn out to be -- are beside the point?
In 1998, when Matthew Shepard was murdered, we didn't have the New Media like we do today. The narrative was established early by elites with an agenda.
What do you think? Will it happen again?
- Comment (16)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (2)
Comments:
May '10
Re: Is Trayvon Martin the New Matthew Shepard?
God help anyone to a fair trial when the media get involved.
May '11
Re: Is Trayvon Martin the New Matthew Shepard?
C.J. - Coming from a small town in Montana, I understand what you're saying completely.
A while back, one of my lefty friends in Seattle (also from Montana) sent me an article a while back. It was from one of the NY papers; the article ended up basically being a hit piece on the backwardness and racism of the place. The reporter interviewed a lady at one of the local grocery stores, who mentioned (after being asked, I imagine) that a black family had recently moved to town, and the guy was working down at Pamida. Racist hic, right?
My friend sent that to me, also scoffing at our home-town's backwardness - now a part of that enlightened Seattle (you know, more european) culture. I pointed out the deliberately misleading portrayal. That everyone in a town of 6500 notices when a black family moves to town is hardly surprising. And the fact is, the first thing people ask about is what you do - like Wyoming, it doesn't matter one bit who you are. Compared to the "open-mindedness" of liberal Seattle, my hometown in Montana is the most tolerant place in the world.
Dec '10
Re: Is Trayvon Martin the New Matthew Shepard?
Are you saying that individuals can't or won't be as impartial as they would want a jury judging them to be? If that is the case, then a jury of our peers is not the fantastic idea the founders believed it to be. The one jury I've sat on impressed me with the quality of ordinary citizens called to pass judgement over a fellow citizen. Even in a relatively trivial matter they all took it very seriously.
As to the original question, I don't know that Martin can become the new Shepard. New media has allowed us to dampen the ground enough to hopefully keep the narrative from becoming a raging wild fire.
Nov '10
Re: Is Trayvon Martin the New Matthew Shepard?
I don't have much to add to this story other than to say that Wyoming is the only place I've been where, driving down a country road, I came upon a real, honest to goodness, cattle drive, and it was cool. We slowed down, even stopped. I jumped out and took some pictures and the cowboys waved. And the cattle moo'd. And nobody shot anyone or called anyone a name.
Also there's this:
Yes, that's me with the belly and that's my family, sans foster kids who weren't with us at the time. I like Wyoming. I like it better than Seattle. I don't like thugs and I don't like arrogant liberals.
May '12
Re: Is Trayvon Martin the New Matthew Shepard?
Of course the narrative will pushed in the Trayvon Martin case. The left is bankrupt of ideas and all they are left with is victimization. If they can sensationalize a terrible murder to suit their ends, you can count on it.
It happens in Texas. Ask some black people outside of Texas their perception of the state and the first answer you will get is the James Byrd murder - as terrible and heinous a crime as what happened to Mr. Shepard. What they don't want to hear or talk about is that Texas executed two of the murderes and the third will die in prison.
Justice - especially including capital punishment - doesn't help the narrative where they can portray a solidly conservative state as a bunch of wild racists.
Jun '10
Re: Is Trayvon Martin the New Matthew Shepard?
In places like Northern Wyoming, where dangerous blizzards sometimes block travel in rural areas, you're pretty stupid if you typically get into fights with your neighbors. If snowdrifts keep you from getting back home, you might be staying with those neighbors for awhile. That's one reason rural people try to get along. More so than in most big cities.
Mar '11
Re: Is Trayvon Martin the New Matthew Shepard?
C.J. Box:
In 1998, when Matthew Shepard was murdered, we didn't have the New Media like we do today. The narrative was established early by elites with an agenda.
With all respect, CJ, the premise of your argument misses an important point that is often overlooked when complaining about the "media narrative":
In the end, the media are composed of individual companies competing for customers, and they give their customers what they want.
I lived on the East Coast when Matthew Shepard was murdered, and all it took were the words "gay," "murdered" and "Wyoming" for most people to come to the conclusion - on their own, without the help of the press - that this was a "hate crime."
When most people turn on the TV, they aren't interested in facts, they're interested in hearing salacious stories that confirm their pre-existing biases. The media doesn't shape opinion as much as it sculpts the facts to fit viewers' worldviews.
To that extent, I doubt that New Media will change much. If a majority believes that gun-toting neighborhood watchers are probably racist, then they will seek out that opinion, be it from TV, print, or blogs.
Re: Is Trayvon Martin the New Matthew Shepard?
Elizabeth Vargas blew the lid off the Shepard narrative. I'm not sure I would even concede that his sexuality had anything to do with his murder. Vargas made a compelling case that it was just about drugs.
While I disagree with the Trayvon Martin narrative that Zimmerman shot him because he was black (though I haven't ruled that out) the facts in that case don't bear out that Zimmerman was an innocent "stand your ground"victim either, as the right immediately pressed.
From the evidence I have viewed, Zimmerman was an irresponsible gun owner, who started a fight that turned into a pretext to use his gun.
Re: Is Trayvon Martin the New Matthew Shepard?
Mendel
C.J. Box:
In 1998, when Matthew Shepard was murdered, we didn't have the New Media like we do today. The narrative was established early by elites with an agenda.
I lived on the East Coast when Matthew Shepard was murdered, and all it took were the words "gay," "murdered" and "Wyoming" for most people to come to the conclusion - on their own, without the help of the press - that this was a "hate crime."
Very well put, and I concede your point ... to a point. But would the reaction have been the same -- and would there have even been a reaction -- if those words were "drug deal-gone-bad," "botched robbery," or "townies versus college students?"
The framing of a story depends on the point of view and ideology of the storyteller or, ahem, journalist.
Re: Is Trayvon Martin the New Matthew Shepard?
Tommy De Seno: Elizabeth Vargas blew the lid off the Shepard narrative. I'm not sure I would even concede that his sexuality had anything to do with his murder. Vargas made a compelling case that it was just about drugs.
While I disagree with the Trayvon Martin narrative that Zimmerman shot him because he was black (though I haven't ruled that out) the facts in that case don't bear out that Zimmerman was an innocent "stand your ground"victim either, as the right immediately pressed.
From the evidence I have viewed, Zimmerman was an irresponsible gun owner, who started a fight that turned into a pretext to use his gun. · 9 minutes ago
Elizabeth Vargas 20/20 piece was well done and introduced serious doubt into the narrative, I agree. So did an excellent 1999 piece in Harper's by JoAnn Wypijewski.
I won't debate you on the details of the Trayvon Martin case because I've seen other threads and you're following it much more closely than I am -- or will.
What I will watch, though, is if the narrative takes a on life within popular culture irregardless the facts of the case.
Edited on June 13, 2012 at 9:38pmRe: Is Trayvon Martin the New Matthew Shepard?
C.J. Box
Elizabeth Vargas 20/20 piece was well done and introduced serious doubt into the narrative, I agree. So did an excellent 1999 piece in Harper's by JoAnn Wypijewski.
I won't debate you on the details of the Trayvon Martin case because I've seen other threads and you're following it much more closely than I am -- or will.
What I will watch, though, is if the narrative takes a on life within popular culture irregardless the facts of the case.
· 16 minutes ago
Edited 11 minutes ago
Oh I agree with you that it already has.
I don't think that bell will be un-rung in the minds of liberals in the media, much like the Shepard case. Your point is well taken on that.
Mar '11
Re: Is Trayvon Martin the New Matthew Shepard?
C.J. Box
Mendel
But would the reaction have been the same -- and would there have even been a reaction -- if those words were "drug deal-gone-bad," "botched robbery," or "townies versus college students?"
If the first reports from the police had been about druggies, and the fact of the homosexuality had come out later, the hate crime narrative probably wouldn't have developed...in this case. Instead, reporters waiting to tell the "prairie-states-hate-gays" story would simply have waited until another event unfolded that didn't yet contradict their foretold conclusion.
I agree 100%, but the question remains: how does a biased journalist receive their soapbox? Watching TV is (thankfully still) an uncoerced activity, and even Fox was around back in 1998. In the presence of viable alternatives, the fact that slanted journalists can still command a huge audience condemns the viewers more than the reporters, in my opinion.
Of course, the fact that ABC was willing to run a segment counter to the common narrative suggests that not all hope is lost.
May '12
Re: Is Trayvon Martin the New Matthew Shepard?
Mendel
C.J. Box:
In 1998, when Matthew Shepard was murdered, we didn't have the New Media like we do today. The narrative was established early by elites with an agenda.
With all respect, CJ, the premise of your argument misses an important point that is often overlooked when complaining about the "media narrative":
In the end, the media are composed of individual companies competing for customers, and they give their customers what they want.....
I am not sure the pure capitalist spirit survives in journalism like it once may have.
If you support the notion that Fox is a right leaning and that CNN/MSNBC are left leaning (I haven't owned a TV in 7+ years and only know what I read) then when you look at ratings it isn't uncommon for Fox to easily beat the two competitors. Sometimes Fox will have as many viewers as the other two combined in a given time slot.
If journalism was driven by capitalist intent CNN and MSNBC would be changing, improving, etc., If they aren't pursuing profit are they pursuing a different agenda?
May '10
Re: Is Trayvon Martin the New Matthew Shepard?
Regardless of the motive, this was never a "stand your ground" case. The stand your ground law applies to a situation where you have the ability to flee, or escalate the situation by "standing your ground" in an area you have the right to be. If you attack someone, this obviously doesn't apply. Likewise, it doesn't apply if you are attacked either as you no longer have the option to flee. It simply becomes a self defense case.
That aside, the left will (via the media, mainly) continue to shape the narrative surrounding this case. Aside from the fact that this is something they would take advantage of any day of the week, it's also election year. They need distractions. This was practically dumped in their lap early in the year.
Dec '10
Re: Is Trayvon Martin the New Matthew Shepard?
The Shepard case was awful, and awfully handled. That was then.
Some perspective on Zimmerman/Martin, that will require some detail:
The Zimmerman/Martin case is actually that of a rookie governor with no political experience, a strong and usually reliable Attorney General, and a complete flop. Pam Bondi, until recently a decent prosecutor from my home town, is now the AG and she made a horrible recommendation when she both elevated this case to her office, then picked Angela Corey to run it. Governor Scott is just along for the bad ride.
The New Media would tell you, if it had ubiquitous reach, that the accused, Zimmerman, is a longtime Democratic activist with a history of pointing out problems with the Sanford, FL police department, particularly with respect to the latter's handling of cases involving black suspects. The two officers he had most recently accused of wrongdoing were the same two assigned to investigating this case, before the state took over.
(continued)
Dec '10
Re: Is Trayvon Martin the New Matthew Shepard?
(continued)
This is old-fashioned paybacks at the local level, coupled with complete incompetence at the state level.
Governor Scott, is in deer-in-the-headlights mode over this issue. Pam Bondi should have it handled better. Prediction? Pam Bondi, as the inside player, will come out smelling like roses, while Scott hangs out to dry and the Martin case becomes even more of a national flashpoint.
Being handled as poorly as this is, it will become worse, because most media will be able to get away with portraying this as a race issue.
Bondi is throwing other Assistant State Attorneys at this, now, but it's too late. The damage done by State Attorney Corey will never be erased from the minds of those that need a flashpoint.
It is tough enough for local people to explain to our kids, to show our kids that there never was a race issue, here. To make sure they carry none of this nonsense to their schools. Still, locally, I am concerned.
How much worse is this going to get on a national level, where youngsters are not being told by responsible adults that this event was never about black versus white?