Tomorrow, April 20th is the Day of Silence. The Day of Silence is a day in which students across the country take a pledge not to speak in order to call attention to the silencing effect of the bullying of LGBT in school. It was founded in 1996 at the University of Virginia. Over 8,000 middle and high schools, universities and colleges participated.
My first experience with the Day of Silence was a bit of a eye opener for me. My daughter participated in the event at her high school when we lived in California. She attended Poway High School and was interviewed by the Gay and Lesbian Times as well as other media sources after her fellow student Chase Harper, decided to verbally attack the students taking part in the action. Harper subsequently sued the Poway Unified School District when he was asked to remove a shirt that had tape on it that read:
"I will not accept what God has condemned" and "Be ashamed, our school embraced what God has condemned." On the back of the shirts were handwritten: "Homosexuality is shameful, 'Romans 1:27.'"
My daughter arrived home that day in complete distress. She had adults on school grounds handing out booklets that told her that her mother was a bad person. No child should have to be made to feel ashamed and worthless over something that their parents are.
This is why I choose to be silent on the 20th of April. I'm posting this today to ask that if there are those out there that can take part. Please try to do so. Show the young people participating in this day that we support their right to do so.
I'm also taking part in the Pagan Blog Project 2012. Our letter for this week was H. I've decided for this week, I'm going to use the letter H for HUSH. So for tomorrow, this blog will be silent.
Namaste & Blessed Be
Sosanna
)O(
Posts
3 comments
Beautiful post, Sosanna.
Thank you for blogging about Day of Silence. Being Germany-based, I wasn't even aware that such a day existed. I shall participate and not post tomorrow, as well.
Thank you Sosanna for your support. I was unaware of this project until my Granddaughter told me about it and how she was and had been a participant. She has been observing Day of Silence as a bisexual teen since it's inception. I too will be silent tomorrow... thankfully it's my day off and I don't have to communicate with anyone...LOL!
Post a Comment