On Diversity Day, Johanna Ring, a junior like me, and I introduced Day of Silence, an event tens of thousands of people across the nation participate in. Some people questioned the effectiveness of the day and what the point of it is. Here is what I have to say.
The Day of Silence is important for people to witness, even if they do not participate in the activity. On a daily basis, we do not realize how much we take the spoken word for granted; the minute you decide not to speak the words you wish you could say, you realize that it really is extremely difficult.
Students who did not understand why I was being silent specifically did not understand what being silent could do. The Day of Silence gives a deeper and more personal understanding of what many bullied youth of the LGBTQ youth go through each and every day. Yes, physically, they can speak, but the harassment they go through for expressing their sexual orientation, makes them not want to express anything that might reveal who they are. By putting ourselves in the shoes of those who cannot fully express their identity, we are able to better understand. The more we understand, the easier it is to spread awareness of the danger such silencing entails.
Due to prior commitments, I only lasted roughly six hours, but I know a handful of people who participated and made it through the entire day; I would like to give them an honorable mention. Ms.Kilts, Rachel Glick, Miles Watkins, and Johanna Ring all stayed silent. Miles participated from 8:20 until 3:00. Many kudos to Johanna who started her silence the night before at 10 PM and went until 8 PM the day of. If you participated and were not listed, let me know and I will announce your name at the next GSA meeting.
GSA meets at 7:30 on Tuesday mornings. Even if you have nothing else to do, and come for just one meeting, feel free to join. We know mornings are difficult and we hope to make it a club-time club next year, but we hope you will stop by!