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Day of Silence


Tomorrow is the 10th Day of Silence.

Founded in 1996, the Day of SilenceĀ® has become the largest single student-led action towards creating safer schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. From the first-ever Day of SilenceĀ® at the University of Virginia in 1996, to the organizing efforts in over 1,900 middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities across the country in 2002, its textured history reflects its diversity in both numbers and reach.

The daughter will be participating again and is going to write up a little something about it that I'll post here.

And once again, , the day after Day of Silence, some organizations will have a Day of Truth to counter the "homosexual agenda of DoS.

I was going to put some commentary about that here like I did last year but honestly, any group that uses the phrase "homesexual agenda" in its literature isn't worth the effort it would take to counter their ideals, as their minds are a bit too closed for it to make a difference.

Comments

props to your kid for standing up for what she believes in.

You guys may not believe in it or agree with what she is doing....

but you have to agree, it takes a hell of alot for a kid to do that for her friends

Kids these days ... they're alright.

Yay, Nat!!

Although there are days when I think a Day of Screaming and Firing a Gun Into the Air might be more effective at getting people's attention.

Kudos to your daughter for taking a stand.

I just wonder what have schools evolved into, if not a forum for a social stand of some kind.

I am not saying DoS is a bad thing, but if it interferes with the school day, then it is simply disruptive. The DoS FAQ suggests silence at lunch or part of the day, etc, and that is fine. However, any activity that disrupts a class (i.e. no one answering a teacher's question) ought not be encouraged.

Case in point: Three weeks ago high school students walked out of classes in support of illegal immigrants. It seems (IMHO) the lack of discipline in the majority of HS means kids can walk out whenever they're angry at anything, regardless of the importance of their cause. Whatever happened to school first, social stand later?

I can't say I'm worried about a "homosexual agenda", and I think GLBTOTHERWTFBBQ teens should have a safe and pleasant school experience.

But I don't see how a day of silence or any other attention-getting or "awareness" generating activity will have any real-world effect towards actually accomplishing that goal.

Not talking for a day doesn't do anything but make the non-talker Feel Good About Being Quiet.

Does this silence make potential gaybashers or even gay-making-fun-of-ers decide "why, now that some people were quiet for a day, I realise that GLBTwhatever kids are A-OK and I'll treat them nicely from now on"? I find it impossible to imagine such an outcome as plausible, let alone actual.

Might as well just sign a petition and then get back to learning.

I'll confess, I don't get the bit about "the silence faced by" LBGTers.

Good to see you back blogging again though!

Although there are days when I think a Day of Screaming and Firing a Gun Into the Air might be more effective at getting people's attention.

Into the air?

how about "lunchtime hour of walking into the principal's office with a few friends, conveying support for LGBT students and raising awareness that safer schools for everyone should be a priority"? that would make a stronger impression, IMHO.

er... or more accurately "DoS" being "Day of Speaking up" :)

I'm all for Silence, especially for middle school students. This should go on for weeks, if you ask me. I'm just happy that it isn't "Day of Hot Monkey Love".

Having taught middle school kids for many years, I gotta agree with DaveC-- but I had only three of my high school kids do the Day of Silence this year. How disappointing....

the day of silence is a really good way to help get your point across, hi my name is cody noyes i live within a 2 hour drive from kansas city so me and a few friends went up there April 26th, 2006 for the day of silence rally and then after there was a concert for who ever wanted to attend it. for all of you that don't think theres supporters out there you will be provin wrong there are some many supporters that i was suprised when i saw them all , i guess the reason why i was so surprised was because i come from a small town that descriminates against anyone who is not a "HICK", so to see all of the supporters was really awsome.

the day of silence is a really good way to help get your point across, hi my name is cody noyes i live within a 2 hour drive from kansas city so me and a few friends went up there April 26th, 2006 for the day of silence rally and then after there was a concert for who ever wanted to attend it. for all of you that don't think theres supporters out there you will be provin wrong there are some many supporters that i was suprised when i saw them all , i guess the reason why i was so surprised was because i come from a small town that descriminates against anyone who is not a "HICK", so to see all of the supporters was really awsome.