The Bogeyman

Mathieu Laca, Bluebeard, 2006

One of the worst stories I ever heard in my life was the one of Matthew Shepard. “Matthew Wayne Shepard (December 1, 1976 – October 12, 1998) was a student at the University of Wyoming who was tortured and murdered near Laramie Wyoming, in October 1998. He was attacked on the night of October 6–7, and died at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado, on October 12 from severe head injuries” (Wikipedia). He was tortured and murdered because of his sexual orientation. Nobody can imagine how this story could get worst than it already was; but human nature is a bottomless pit of hate and anger. During Matthew’s funerals, Reverend Fred Phelps of the Wesboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas and his flock demonstrated carrying signs showing hateful slogans.

The whole story is beautifully retold in the Moisés Kaulman’s play (link) and film (link).

This story came back to my mind this morning when I received an email denouncing ways groups that specialize in spreading hate all over the world use to fund themselves. Many of these groups are well known: Abiding Truth Ministries, New Generation Ministries, Noua Drepata, Truth in Action Ministries, Dove World Outreach Ministries, Julio Severo's Last Days Watchman Site, Faithful Word Baptist Church, Family Research Institute, Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, American Society for the Defense of Tradition Family and Property. Those are only ten among the worst, but the list could be frighteningly long.

Hate, hostility, anger, righteous indignation is, for so many persons, a way of life. For these individuals or these groups, hate, hostility, anger, righteous indignation is spelled: P-O-W-E-R. Power over gays, power over races, power over women, power over needy, power over elders, etc. is their daily bread.

This is what I call the Bogeyman Syndrome. Mom said: “If you don’t stop sucking your thumb, the Bogeyman will get you!” She looked so powerful! We were so afraid!

Sadly, the Bogeyman is still all over the world. Wherever somebody is looking for power, the Bogeyman is never very far.

I wish I could show you Mathieu’s (Laca) painting called The Bogeyman that will be featured in the upcoming “I killed the Group of Seven” exhibition. In just a blink, we see, we feel, we understand all of the Bogeyman Syndrome. It’s powerful, it’s frightening, a true picture of hatred when it takes root in the heart of man. But, remember what I said in my last post on this blog (link): I am totally respectful of rules!

That’s not completely true. To be frank, I, too, am scared of the Bogeyman!

Comeau