Lots of great ideas and stories being shared over on the Day of Silence facebook page (link to the right). My recent favorites are the strategies that some students have come up with to have a visual show of support for the Day of Silence, to include those who, for whatever reasons, who will be silent during breaks between classes but need to talk to fulfill class requirements or have other reasons that they cannot remain silent all day or who aren't in school. My favorite so far is the simplest one: wear red to support the DOS.
As a GLSEN staffer, I am not able to pledge complete silence but I will pledge to wear red on the 17th in support of the Day of Silence.
What other suggestions do you have for supporting the silence?
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
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36 comments:
Great idea! I'll wear red too!!!
BK
FOR SURE IM GOING TO WEAR A RED SHIRT!!
THANKS FOR THE IDEA
ALSO IM GOING TO WEAR MY SOCKS OF GAY PRIDE
EVEN THOUGH IM BI x)
At my school we have these rainbow ties that we tie around our wastes or arms or bags and that lets people know we are participating.
i made shirts. That say DOS right on it we've been wearing them to get the word out. we've been harrassed over it but thats ok were strong. even if we have no support from the school/
I think this entire DOS idea is horrid. It's politicizing the learning process, thereby hurting the learning potential of our future generations.
What I'm doing at my school is having people wear white ribbons. Red is definitely a great idea, but I'm thinking white because it represents "tying the knot" for equality and LGBT marriage (:
I'm going to wear red as well! I'll also be writing notes as to tell why people should end the silence ^-^ Homos need to be loved ^.^
(Dood, Athena!! I totally go to class with you!!)
I'll wear red, it'll be hard for me to not talk when I'm in my graphics class. Or wear Athena's shirts.
As for the one above me: it's a statement. Kids in schools get harassed daily, thus hurting their learning potential. We need to make a statement. Already (with the help of my bff antena) our school is starting to become aware of the harassment.
When college students organized sit-ins in the 60s to show their support for racial equality, was that "politicizing the learning process"? One day of being silent will not result in future generations being less educated in any way whatsoever. Maybe you have deeper objections to showing support for GLBT rights...
I am definitely going to wear a red t-shirt. I also should have some socks that have red, I will wear those, and my sister will wear a lot of red in support also. I plan on talking as little as possible on DOS.
I'm gonna wear as much red as i can with my school uniform to support gays and bis! and a little silence never hurt anyone!
to the person who commented that DOS is a horrid idea, you are of coure completely entitled to your opinion and i respect it.
but please consider that though it is a vow of silence, it is only a twenty-four hour vow of silence and is not mandatory.
it is freedom of speech, or lack of speech to raise awareness. it is not to purpously disrupt the learning process.
I disagree. By doing something that stirs up controversy and awareness,we get people to start talking about it! I know at my school, we have little pins and a few people, (myself included) carry around whiteboards so that we can still communicate with the class when the need arises.
Anon. you need to shut your face.
I'll be working that do, & being observed for a credential class I'm taking (plus I work with kids) so silence isn't an option for me. I will, however, do the red shirt thing to show my support.
red is definetly on the menu, at my old school the particapants wear red arm bands to show support. go DOS.
My principal and school has been really supportive of D of S, all except one, and my principal is actually buying the official shirt for "safe spot" members. I'm about to make a poster that's all "red, wear red to support the Day of Silence". I hope it works.
Great idea. Go Gay Pride! <3
I am an educator so silence will be impossible...However, you can bet I will be wearing red to support!!!
at my school, i organize our day every year. and we always wear rainbow ribbons pinned to our clothes. i'm a senior in high school and i have been organizing it at my school since i was a freshman and every year we have more and more people participate. its great!
This is the first time i've heard of this organization! Im so proud of my fellow people to try and reach out to everyone. I'm going to spread the word and hopes it reaches even the deaf ears of the world. My sister is a lesbian and im so proud to support her. The word will be spread and i hope i can find a shirt to wear to school to support it. :)
love to all,
leah
wah....... thank goodness its next week... i thought it was today... ^^ i'll wear red and not talk!!!
I will wear a red shirt, and I will spread the word to others to do the same on my blogs. Author of MsQueer.com
I am a stay at home mom (can't be silent) but I also teach online classes...I think I will email my classes and tell them that I will not be in communication with them via email or phone that day to support the DOS.
As to the political side of it; I agree with Sky...the learning process and learning potential of GLBT students are already in jeopardy because of harrassment, and I think it takes some proactive steps to bring attention to the issue.
students at Lebanon high school in TN weill be participating in DOS. this will be our second year showing our support. We will have flyerss to pass out and wear red for those of us who must speak. We hope to spread the word of this wonderful cause. Much Love CM
Students at Lebanon High School in TN will be particapating in DOS. This is our second year spreading the word of this wonderful cause. Much Love CM
Can anyone explain why red?
To Beata: I was confused also when the traditional thing was all black with a white ribbon. The only reason I can think of that red would be used is AIDS?
thaniks 4 the support sky.
wear rainbow, red,
whatever you can to show your support. They have a bunch of rainbow jewelry at walmart to..
I know our principles aren't in support of it but,we've got toshow them this is a positive day.
My daughter and I will also wear red this day!
Written by a pastor who at first was a Hitler advocate, but changed his mind as he educated himself...
First they came for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me,
and by that time there was no one
left to speak up for me.
by Rev. Martin Niemoller, 1945
THIS is why we stay quiet on this day. Then SPEAK for justice. Ignore history, and we're destined to repeat it...
i agree with michelle..anon needs to shut their face...i had no diea about the red wearing thing ill be sure to do that! its a great idea because people will be sure to notice a girl who almost daily wears black wear a bright color like red!
Let us please remember that the reason we are marking a Day of Silence is to demonstrate to people who may not be aware that there is prejudice and violence being practiced every day in our schools. We are asking others to become educated as to this cancer in our schools and help to resolve it.
If we are going to ask to resolve the "Silence" that LGBTQ Youth operate under the fear of retribution, then how can we try to deny someone else's freedom of speech?
We must be willing to grant to others that which we are seeking for ourselves. The point is respect for all...allowing of diversity and making none "wrong."
Whether or not I agree with any one opinion expressed here, I salute the courage it takes to express oneself here.
As a Lesbian who has been out over 38 years, I welcome the dialog. Encourage others to talk through their fears and perhaps we will grow together towards a greater understanding.
Deb Adler, aka MsQueer
Today and tommorrow I'll be in the ace room which is where they send kids who get in trouble. why? becuase I did absolutly nothing wrong thats right I did nothing. I have been organizing the DOS at my school and so people began threating me so for my "saftey" they have put me in the room with all the bad kids they are trying to protect me from. Also they treat me like a prisioner I'm not even allowed to wave at my friends or eat a regular lunch. So yeah becuase of stupid people they have gotten what they wanted me isolated so I can infulance anyone else to join in. the school has been harassing me ever since i started doing the dos and has been trying to get me in trouble for stupid stuff. Also the school keeps ensuring me i'm not in trouble but, i'm not allowed to talk or see my friends or even eat lunch with everyone. I plan on still participating in the DOS.
I personally believe that DOS is an amazing idea. I am bisexual and openly admit it to anyone I talk to. If they don't like it, I don't care. I am also a student in highschool and I get good grades. I personally believe that this will not be ruining my education, nor "politicizing" my school. We have voices and we need to be heard. I can't take any more harrasment of my friends by people who are just intolerant and narrowminded. I will wear red tomorrow. And I will not talk at all. I feel strongly about this and I'm supported by my friends and family so I need nothing else. If someone wishes to harrass me, so be it. DOS is by no means "horrid."
Will it be orange next year? o.0 I'm doing it next week because we had break over April 17 and I shall wear red :)
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