Judging from the number of "lawrence king" searches I've received (and I assume other sites are getting even more), information about his murder is getting out there -- despite the fact that it isn't getting as much press as, say, the latest happenings on American Idol. Or the Indiana basketball scandal (though that's probably only usurping the front pages here in Indiana). Here's my earlier post about him. It's important for people to hear about this.
In other news, thanks to Jilly at Poetry Hut Blog for this link: Detained Burmese poet Saw Wai has been permitted a visit from his wife. (And here, again, is the "Power Crazy Senior General Than Shwe" chapbook published by Anti-).
Less important: We had a cute little ice storm here on Thursday afternoon/evening. The temperature reached 30 today, with lots of brilliant sunshine, and some of the ice started melting -- but it was still so pretty, the way all the trees were glazed and glittery. (Although still treacherous underfoot in places.) As I left the Runcible Spoon this afternoon, after a delicious brunch, I saw a couple of college kids lifting big sheets of ice off their front lawn and flinging them at each other. This caused me to draft a poem, which (for now) is titled "How Ice Becomes the Past Tense of Longing." Later, after I bought more crap than I'd intended to at Target (that's a synonym for "set foot in Target"), I heard a news story on NPR about how some scientists now believe the origins of life on Earth were not in warm water but in ice. Fascinating. That may end up in the poem, too.
Showing posts with label Lawrence King. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lawrence King. Show all posts
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Lawrence King
Lawrence King, a 15-year-old kid, was shot and killed at school last week for being queer.
I never know what to say about these things. I doubt that anyone who reads my blog would disagree that this is a terrible, horrible, awful thing. I also doubt that anyone who reads my blog knows the magic words that we could say to make this kind of hate disappear from the world.
I do think it's important to talk about it, because if you don't see this kind of hate staring you in the face every day, it's possible to look the other way and forget that it still exists. Things are better than they were even two decades ago, it's true. But when Time Magazine can publish an article claiming that homophobia isn't that much of a problem in schools anymore, even while something like this happens, things are a long long way from good. Pretending everything is OK doesn't do anyone any good.
Kate Evans says it much better than I can. And Christopher Hennessy posted a devastating poem about it. You should go read their posts, if you haven't already.
[Edited 2/24 to add: Here is a good New York Times story about him.]
Here is a memorial website posted by Larry's family. And here is a memorial website posted by GLSEN (the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network). GLSEN's site has a list of memorials and vigils being conducted around the country, and a place where you can submit information about one you're organizing. If there's one near you, consider attending.
And my thanks to everyone who's posted about this horrible thing and brought my attention to it.
I never know what to say about these things. I doubt that anyone who reads my blog would disagree that this is a terrible, horrible, awful thing. I also doubt that anyone who reads my blog knows the magic words that we could say to make this kind of hate disappear from the world.
I do think it's important to talk about it, because if you don't see this kind of hate staring you in the face every day, it's possible to look the other way and forget that it still exists. Things are better than they were even two decades ago, it's true. But when Time Magazine can publish an article claiming that homophobia isn't that much of a problem in schools anymore, even while something like this happens, things are a long long way from good. Pretending everything is OK doesn't do anyone any good.
Kate Evans says it much better than I can. And Christopher Hennessy posted a devastating poem about it. You should go read their posts, if you haven't already.
[Edited 2/24 to add: Here is a good New York Times story about him.]
Here is a memorial website posted by Larry's family. And here is a memorial website posted by GLSEN (the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network). GLSEN's site has a list of memorials and vigils being conducted around the country, and a place where you can submit information about one you're organizing. If there's one near you, consider attending.
And my thanks to everyone who's posted about this horrible thing and brought my attention to it.
"Your silence will not protect you" -- Audre Lorde
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