SILENCE!

Photo courtesy of www.dayofsilence.com

Have you ever been called a fat ass or queer?  What about a homo? 

Millions of people everyday are made fun of for being too fat, too gay, too ugly, etc and every day millions of people never step up for the people that are being bullied.

The National Day of Silence is a way to promote harassment awareness.   It is a way to provide opportunity about what millions of people have to suffer through each and everyday because they are silenced by harassment and to quote Martin Luther King Jr, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

“We’re not here saying, ‘we’re here, we’re queer, we’re not going anywhere…get use to it'.”, smiled Cory Warren, GSA (Gay, Straight Alliance) student coordinator.  “We just want the campus community to know that we’re here to help you and that we have answers and all we’re doing is trying to create a positive experience.”

Harassment begins at an early age and the percentage of teen suicides keeps going up.  The teenagers that have committed, or tried to commit, suicide were bullied even if they weren’t gay.  Statistics show that harassment begins in elementary school and usually starts with a phrase such as “that’s so gay.”  People need to remember to keep in mind that harassment doesn’t just hurt the people being bullied, but the people that surround them as well.

Photo courtesy of www.flickr.com

On Friday, April 22, originally on Friday, April 15, GSA  club is promoting the National Day of Silence and will be selling red humanity wristbands for $2 each on Wednesday, April 20 and Thursday, April 21 and have a limited supply.  There will also be signs and banners up in the courtyard promoting students to get involved and they will also have a pride panel hosted by a LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi, transgender) community and will be talking about their experiences.   The GSA just wants the LBCC campus to unite and to be here for the rights of all the students.  This is also the first time in three years that LBCC has been involved in the National Day of Silence.

“Having people wear the wristbands is a more subtle way for people on the fence about the issue, to be able to voice their opinion in a more broad way.” said Warren.

“We’re just reminding people what others have been through and to remind them to be good citizens in their community.” said Karelia Stetz-Waters, GSA advisor.

If people want to support this cause than they can do so by wearing the wristbands, wearing a red shirt, or by wearing a white shirt.  A red shirt means that you are going to fully participate and not talk at all throughout the day.  A white shirt means that you fully support this cause, but are able to speak.  

Photo courtesy of www.dayofsilence.org

At a Glance:

What: The National Day of Silence
Why: To bring awareness for bulling of nay kind to any body
Advisors: Greg Mulder and Karelia Stetz-Waters
Meeting place: Diversity Achievement Center  (D.A.C)
More info: The GSA Club