I Just Don't Get It
You know, I cover a lot of depressing stuff in this job - and I can usually use the "media switch" - leave it aside, in the not real, not my world section of my brain - but when it's something that affects my friends, my community - it pisses me off.
I covered a murder last week. It was this guy who's body was found in one spot and the next day - his car was found 60 kms away - didn't think much of it, except that sucks, and who can I get to talk to me about him on camera - life of a vj right - then, two days later - a body was found in Dartmouth - stuffed under a boardwalk. Again, that sucks but who is this guy - police don't release the name. Just as I'm going home for the day - a co-worker calls - says there's a rumour going around the gay community - Trevor Brewster. I don't know him , but still not thinking too much about it, because it hasn't been confirmed by cops, can't report it - just going home. Next morning - wake up , hear on the radio - the body of trevor brewster. Now, usually it would be "okay, we have a name, we can find out who he is." but this time he's gay. I don't know him. I make some calls, check out facebook - EVERYBODY knew him. When I hear my friends upset on the phone, the switch rule goes out the window. My friends knew him! and even worse - the word around town - hate crime. What year is it people? I don't get it. Plus, the first murder - turns out he's gay too. Similar details of the murders. This is a city where I feel safe and comfortable as a gay woman - but after doing this story - I hear tales of increased violence against the GLBT community (gay, lesbian, bi, trans for my peeps who don't know the lingo) and it makes me sick to my stomach. It's 2007 - and senseless murders because of sexual orientation?? ... and some wonder why we have to "fly the rainbow flag and shout from rooftops" -- why can't you guys just relax and not exploit yourselves.. THIS IS WHY! nobody deserves pain like that - straight, gay, black, white, green whatever - but it seems SO clear to me that this was HATE related - because of who he was. Not a random killing - but BECAUSE he was gay. I feel it. I didn't know him - but that could've been someone I know, and if the news is leaning to where I think it's going to go - there could be a sicko out there who hates gays SO MUCH that he feels he needs to kill them. It scares me sure, but it angers me evern more. I believe most people are good - and in the maritimes, laid back and accepting - this could happen anywhere - that's what makes me sad.
I covered a murder last week. It was this guy who's body was found in one spot and the next day - his car was found 60 kms away - didn't think much of it, except that sucks, and who can I get to talk to me about him on camera - life of a vj right - then, two days later - a body was found in Dartmouth - stuffed under a boardwalk. Again, that sucks but who is this guy - police don't release the name. Just as I'm going home for the day - a co-worker calls - says there's a rumour going around the gay community - Trevor Brewster. I don't know him , but still not thinking too much about it, because it hasn't been confirmed by cops, can't report it - just going home. Next morning - wake up , hear on the radio - the body of trevor brewster. Now, usually it would be "okay, we have a name, we can find out who he is." but this time he's gay. I don't know him. I make some calls, check out facebook - EVERYBODY knew him. When I hear my friends upset on the phone, the switch rule goes out the window. My friends knew him! and even worse - the word around town - hate crime. What year is it people? I don't get it. Plus, the first murder - turns out he's gay too. Similar details of the murders. This is a city where I feel safe and comfortable as a gay woman - but after doing this story - I hear tales of increased violence against the GLBT community (gay, lesbian, bi, trans for my peeps who don't know the lingo) and it makes me sick to my stomach. It's 2007 - and senseless murders because of sexual orientation?? ... and some wonder why we have to "fly the rainbow flag and shout from rooftops" -- why can't you guys just relax and not exploit yourselves.. THIS IS WHY! nobody deserves pain like that - straight, gay, black, white, green whatever - but it seems SO clear to me that this was HATE related - because of who he was. Not a random killing - but BECAUSE he was gay. I feel it. I didn't know him - but that could've been someone I know, and if the news is leaning to where I think it's going to go - there could be a sicko out there who hates gays SO MUCH that he feels he needs to kill them. It scares me sure, but it angers me evern more. I believe most people are good - and in the maritimes, laid back and accepting - this could happen anywhere - that's what makes me sad.
posted by Girl Goes East at 7:28 AM
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