The Laramie Project was a tragic murder, but after watching the videos, they only solidify my belief that it was not a hate crime. But what the video made clear was how people tend to fixate on one possibility with the exclusion of all others. Which in this case is the debate of whether or not it is a hate crime. Now I want to make it clear that I mean no disrespect to the Shepard's. But why they would kill Matthew because he was gay makes no sense, and its understandable to find any way to convict your sons murderer at any cost. But there is no indication that it was a hate crime, and the testimony's were ignored because people again were fixated on one thing, the idea that is was a hate crime. I just don't see it, Maybe if there was more evidence to prove it was in fact a hate crime I would agree. But with the case being clouded in mystery, I'm hard pressed to believe that accusation.

Beyond the Vertical
Layton the man who wrote this memoir could be described as a true adventurer, often climbing without the right gear on cliffs that no one had ever climbed before. And for many years simply followed his passion of climbing, but after some time, he needed to find himself and left rock climbing for many years. After listening to the presentation i found that this rock climbing was his escape from reality and when he wrote the book he realized that had to be faced and he needed to find himself. And no as a 70 year old man he returned to rock climbing and will continue to climb until he physically cannot anymore.

No Limits
This memoir written by non other then Micheal Phelps. He's practically a fish, his body having the perfect disproportions which allow him to...well effectively be a fish. Leading to his many gold medals for the Olympics. But growing up it wasn't so easy, he was continually told by his teachers that he couldn't achieve anything in life. That he would be a failure. But with his mother on his side, he was determined to prove them wrong, and be the best he could be which just so happens to be world class Olympian status.

The Pact
Is a Memoir of three kids; Hunt, Davis, and Jenkins. These three grew up in Newark, New Jersey, where daily life would be echoed by gunshots and gang violence. They have always been best friends however when they were younger they made this pact to do something with their lives and make a difference in their communities. Running into gangs and having ordeals with authorities mean't it would be a tough time for them to make their aspiration. But they stuck together and stayed strong and all three became doctors and have even started foundations to help support inner city kids in New Jersey.

Mighty Be Our Powers
This story is about the in Liberia. The factions of the war being the American Liberians vs the Native Liberians. But what makes this memoir different from the other stories about war is perspective, this memoir takes the perspective of a woman experiencing the war around her. The author Leymah Gbowee tells her story as she tries to reunite the events that unfolded around her.

    The Laramie Project acts one and two are for me the descriptors of the play. Setting the ground work so to speak, the first act really showed peoples diversion of the murder of Matthew Shepard. By focusing on the are as opposed to the brutal crime itself, seeming as though Matthew was being put aft of the town of Laramie. As if the pristine beauty of the area was made more important then his death.
    The Second Act of the play went more in depth about Matthew and his assailants, giving more context to the background to them. Along with the reveal of Matthew sexuality, there was speculation as to whether the crime was a hate crime and discrimination of homosexuals or if it was a robbery gone bad. As the story develops, people begin to be blind to other possibilities of the crime. Originally you could see the depth at which people would go to avoid the murder, but know the town is fixated on the idea that it might be a hate crime. This brings a second concern for me which is people being blind to other possibilities that might in fact be correct, and possibly altering the truths that might be told.

      A Stolen Life is a memoir of a young woman who was kidnapped for eighteen years. This woman named Jaycee was kidnapped as a little girl. Jaycee's kidnappers took her using a stun gun, incapacitating her before she was able to run or scream. The last remnant of her freedom for the next 18 years was the pine cone she felt the day she was taken. After 18 years of rape and terrible living conditions, until officers had finally found her. Now she is left to struggle with never having a childhood and having to take care of two children she didn't intend on having.

     Inside the Helmet a memoir of Micheal Straham the ex-football no having gone commentator. The memoir is about his NFL career although this was written before his last year in the NFL. Talking of his anger and conflicts with coach Caughlin, which at first was pure hatred. But later goes on to talk about the friendship that they have and how they remain every good friends. Including all of his injuries, one of the biggest focal points was the skepticism of whether or not Micheal would play in another season of the NFL to win a Superbowl. Which he did by the way for his last season of the NFL.