Matthew Shepard Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Matthew Shepard - Essay Example This paper examines the murder of Matthew Shepard with respect to the circumstances leading to his death and his legacy. Alongside his younger brother, Shepard led a normal childhood attending school in Wyoming since his freshman to junior years. Shepard completed his education at The American School, Switzerland after his parents moved to the Saudi Aramco Residential Camp in Dhahran owing to his father's work. His experience abroad largely influenced his desire to travel, which led to an unfortunate incident during a school tour to Morocco where he was beaten and raped. This ordeal triggered a bout of depression and panic attacks that are attributed to his involvement with drugs during college. Shepard attended college in Casper, Wyoming to major in political science where his interest in politics sought him a position as a student representative at the Wyoming Environmental Council. Friends and family described Shepard as an overly optimistic individual looking forward to new chall enges. In addition, he held great passion for equality and acceptance as demonstrated in his roles at the community theatre and thus, was very approachable (â€Å"Matthew’s Story†). The tragic events that transpired shortly after midnight on October 7, 1998 followed the conclusion of a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Association (LGBTA). The organization comprised mostly of university students, but welcomed the indulgence of staff members as well as the townspeople. In spite of a low attendance during its meetings, the association’s email list was illustrated as a long one. The meeting on the night of October 6 was meant to organize last-minute details of the Gay Awareness Week slated for the following week. The association’s chair, Jim Osborn, had been attacked before the meeting where he described the events to fellow members and asked them to be vigilant. LGBTA traditions involve late night coffee breaks before adjournment. Shepard visited a lo cal bar where he was approached by Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson who offered him a ride home. However, events took a dramatic turn after the two drove to a rural area and proceeded to rob, bind Shepard to a fence, and whip him with the butt of .357 Magnum in their possession. He suffered had severe brainstem damages, fractures on his head, and numerous lacerations on his face and neck. The combination of these injuries incapacitated his body’s ability to control the heart rate, temperature among other vital functions. Shepard was discovered over 12 hours later by cyclist who perceived his bound composure and comatose state as a scarecrow (Thernstrom). Found in a near death state, doctors described his condition as too severe to risk an operation and as such, Shepard was placed on life support. Meanwhile, the brutal attack attracted the attention of local, national, and later international media shaping the calls for legislations to include the sexual minorities to the list of protected individuals by the law. Shepard was pronounced dead about a week later with his family by his side at the hospital. All the while, Laramie authorities investigating the heinous crime sought to retrace the last events of Shepard’s life McKinney and Henderson were arrest after they were found in possession of Shepard’

Dealing with Unhealthy Food Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Dealing with Unhealthy Food - Essay Example From this essay highlights that the national rate of obesity in the case of adults is twenty four percent while it has been approximated to be as high as fifty two percent in Manchester and the adjacent Clay County. There have been efforts to understand the degree of obesity from various quarters and recently, Michelle Obama, the first lady, lead other stakeholders in unveiling the findings of a task force on obesity. The findings showed that the rate of obesity in children was increasing and there were a limited number of places where people could purchase foods that were nutritious. Places such as Manchester are likely to be more affected by the obesity crisis in future as there is no department that is responsible for recreation or parks. Apart from this, most of the establishments that operate up to late at night are fast food places and this is quickly increasing the number of overweight people.This study discusses that the issue of being overweight may also be attributed to the feeding culture as children are required to clean their plates at mealtimes before they can leave the table. The children are required to eat all their food even when they are already full. There is also the issue of denial or a fear of knowing and the people consider that the only time there are supposed to be weighed is when they go to the doctor even though they do not visit the doctor. Others eve consider obesity as a hereditary issue that they are not in a position to control.