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Hardcover
Publisher: Hudson Street Press
ISBN13: 9781594630576
Condition: NEW
Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
The mother of Matthew Shepard shares her story about her son's death and the choice she made to become an international gay rights activist
Today, the name Matthew Shepard is synonymous with gay rights, but before his grisly murder in 1998, Matthew was simply Judy Shepard's son. For the first time in book form, Judy Shepard speaks about her loss, sharing memories of Matthew, their life as a typical American family, and the pivotal event in the small college town that changed everything.
The Meaning of Matthew follows the Shepard family in the days immediately after the crime, when Judy and her husband traveled to see their incapacitated son, kept alive by life support machines; how the Shepards learned of the incredible response from strangers all across America who held candlelit vigils and memorial services for their child; and finally, how they struggled to navigate the legal system as Matthew's murderers were on trial. Heart-wrenchingly honest, Judy Shepard confides with readers about how she handled the crippling loss of her child, why she became a gay rights activist, and the challenges and rewards of raising a gay child in America today.
The Meaning of Matthew not only captures the historical significance and complicated civil rights issues surrounding one young man's life and death, but it also chronicles one ordinary woman's struggle to cope with the unthinkable.
| Customer Reviews: |
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| An Homage and Call to Action |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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It is difficult to believe that the murder that shocked the world - the hate crime committed on Matthew Shepard - happened twelve years ago. The heinous torture and beating to death of a young lad just 21 years of age, left to suffer tied to a fence in Laramie, Wyoming in winter of 1998, all because of his sexual preference is still caught in the throats of all people who believe in human rights and the protection of every member of society despite their color, creed, social status or sexuality. What Judy Shepard has achieved in this fast reading, immensely gripping book is to allow us to examine all aspects of this crime in a way that only a member of a family of a victim could share. She writes well, shares the background of her firstborn son from his birth to his death, unafraid to reveal even those aspects of Matthew's behavior that make him seem less than a hero, is able to give a detailed account of the horrid incident that shook the world, and the subsequent trials of the two young men who killed Matthew, and yet manage to summarize he book with a plea for action to prevent such hate crimes from ever happening again.
Judy Shepard shares her alliance with the Human Rights Campaign and ultimately informs the reader about the Matthew Shepard Foundation. The focus of that foundation is '1. Erase Hate: Educating society about all aspects of hate - whether it's based on race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. 2. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Equality and 3. Put Children First: the goal here is to educate the public on the needs of gay and lesbian youth.' Judy Shepard is a powerful spokesperson, more so because she is quietly solid in her plans and her demeanor and her writing. This is a testament to both Matthew Shepard and to all those people like Judy Shepard who fight to right the injustices of the world. Very Fine Book, this. Grady Harp, March 10
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| Honest words from a powerful and amazing woman. |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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This book should have to be read by every boy and girl in a high school English class. It provides too much valuable information to not be used as an incredible teaching tool. Thank you, Judy for providing us a window into your life with Matthew. I am so glad I read this book. Do not pass up the opportunity to read this.
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| a poinent book to read, will leave you satisfied |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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A touching well written book about a sweet, confused, normal young man denied his life and rights.
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| heart wrenching |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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This book was heart wrenching. Judy Shepard explains hate crimes from a mothers stand point. Judy is an amazing woman! I have seen the Matthew Shepard Movies but thier facts are not all correct if you have seen any of the movies about Matt I strongly suggest you read this book!!
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| Touching |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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I wanted to know who Matt was- not Matthew. This book rips a mothers heart out letting the world know that Matt was real, he had faults, but he was real.
Sometimes we lose sight of that- this book brings it home.
Great reading- you will laugh and you will cry and maybe you will relate either to Matt or a member of his family.
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