Writings of Matthew Shepard: A Letter from Saudi Arabia and a Sign Posted on His Room
Various writings of Matthew Shepard were included in the trial record as part of the "victim impact" evidence that could be considered for sentencing purposes.
The writings were intended to give a sense of Matthew Shepard, the person. Two of the writings are included below.
A LETTER FROM SAUDI ARABIA (JANUARY 5, 1991)
January 5, 1991
Hello! Well, I celebrated y first Christmas away from Casper EVER! It was nice though. It was certainly different celebrating it here in Saudi Arabia. It was much simpler as Christmas is forbidden, making it difficult to find Christmas paraphernalia. I did however manage to bring in a Christmas tree past the customs guy. He tore my luggage to pieces, which was a bit embarrassing because I was very poorly packed, nothing folded, and no order so he ended up having to take all my things out of my THREE HUGE suitcases in order to check for smuggled goods, which was really embarrassing with 150 people behind me and he says things like “ooh very messy, yes is very messy,” or “No good packing!” and when it time came to close one of them and I couldn’t get it shut without taking it off the table and stepping on it! But by some unexplainable miracle the tree made it through.
Our usual Christmas traditions certainly were altered this year, but we did all right, as we were told by many people here “Christmas is what you make of it.” And mom did as much as possible to make it an enjoyable Christmas holiday. It was also strange celebrating only the 2nd Christmas ever in my life without the usual visit from my Grandparents, the first was 5 years ago. I really missed them. Well, I missed every one! Dad had to work on Christmas so, we celebrated on Christmas Eve which was just fine with me.
The end of the semester proved to be hectic as I was planning my return to Saudi Arabia, and studying for finals at the same time. We had a Christmas dance which was a blast! The flight back from school went along WONDERFULLY!! No delays, cancellations, or even lost luggage! Though I did forget one of my suitcases in the train station! But I recovered it okay!
My social life has picked up at school. It picked up as my attitude improved I returned to my usual bubbly energetic obnoxious self! My roommate is returning to New York finish out his junior year, which will be difficult. I will miss him. There really isn’t anyone I don’t get along with, there are a few people I wouldn’t mind pushing off the Leaning Tower of Pisa! They just don’t know it yet.
I was casted in a Greed Tragedy by the name of Clydemesira or some goofy name like that. I have a lot of confidence in it (if you couldn’t tell). But the funny part is she casted ME as the LEAD dancer!! I have Never Danced a step in my life! Unless you count the I spilled hot chocolate on myself! Never had a course either. Oh well, I’ll enjoy it until I get demoted to lead audience member or something.
A SIGN ON MATTHEW'S ROOM DOOR
THIS IS MY ROOM. IT IS THE AREA IN WHICH I CAN ESCAPE FROM YOU. SO, IF YOU WOULD PEASE RESPECT MY PRIVACY (AS I RESPECT YOURS) AND ENTER ONLY UPON KNOCKING FIRST. IF NO ONE RESPONDS, THEN DO NOT ENTER!! SIMPLY COME BACK LATER, OR HUNT ME DOWN AND ASK MY PERMISSION. MY ROOM IS MY AREA, THE ONLY AREA UPON WHICH I MAY EXPRESS MYSELF FREELY. IF YOU FIND MY HANGINGS OR THE STATE IN WHICH MY ROOM IS IN INAPPROPRIATE, THEN SIMPLY RESTRAIN YOURSELF FROM TURNING THAT ROUND THING BY YOUR LEFT HAND (CALLED A DOOR KNOB) AND GO TO YOUR OWN EXPRESSION AREA WHERE EVERYTHING IS JUST PERFECT.
WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT WAYS OF EXPRESSING OURSELVES AND DIFFERENT OPINIONS. I DO NOT GIVE YOU ANY FLACK ABOUT YOUR EXPRESSION AREA, OPINIONS, OR HANGINGS THEREFORE, I ASK ONLY THAT YOU SHARE THAT SAME RESPECT WITH ME.
ONCE AGAIN PLEASE STAY OUT OF MY ROOM
UNLESS YOU HAVE BEEN GRANTED PERMISSION BY ME.