Rest in Peace

Little Swan on Aug. 23, 2009

*Please Read*
2 years ago today, a young girl at the prime of her life passed away. This girl was beautiful, and peaceful, and caring, and someone who would always help people in need. This girl was brutally attacked whilst cradling the head of her beaten boyfriend and begging the attackers to stop. They had been kicked and stamped in the head so much that paramedics could not tell which was male and which was female, and both were left in comas; unfortunately this girl's injuries were so severe that she later died.
THEIR CRIME?
These two young people, Robert Maltby, 21 and Sophie Lancaster, 20, were Goths. They belonged to a subculture of people who are mostly about pride in oneself, about beauty, and about peace. The attacks took place due to ignorance, intolerance and an unexcusable lack of humanity.
The death of Sophie and the trauma these two peaceful people went through has sent shockwaves through the Gothic community, a community that I myself am proud to be a member of. What happened to these people is an extreme case of something that happens to many of us who are proud to be ourselves.
Just because people don't understand what it means to be a Goth (or a part of any subculture), is not a reason to attack such people, who have done nothing to cause harm. Why is it that the good people suffer? Many people are of the mind “don't understand it, destroy it”. Humans should instead try to understand their fellow man (woman, and child), rather than viciously attack them.
Sophie and Robert's ordeal has sparked the massive S.O.P.H.I.E (Stamp Out Prejudice, Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere) campaign not only in their memory but also in honour of anyone else who has suffered some form of prejudice- due to race, sexuality, subculture or indeed anything else.
I ask of you, dear readers, to take a moment and think of a pair of beautiful young people who never meant any harm, and who instead will never be together again–one died through protecting her love, and the other torn into pieces and feeling as if he lost his everything.
Sophie and her boyfriend sound so much like my boyfriend and I, which is what really hit me hardest.
In honour of these two people, particularly Sophie, and also in honour of yourselves and any prejudice you may have suffered in your lifetimes, remember Sophie, and S.O.P.H.I.E, and use it for good. Spread the message and help create a fairer, less prejudiced, nicer society. Thank You.

I know that my drawing will never be enough to replace her life, but I hope the thought and my words will be a good enough memorial. Rest in Peace, Sophie, and my fondest wishes to her friends, family and especially Robert.




My Matthew and I proudly sporting our wrist bands.


(Drawing by me, frame by Matthew)