Students join in silence, stand up to discrimination
Megan Schroeder
Staff Writer
On Monday, April 12, CLC’s Anderson Court was being watched. The Anderson Court was filled with a group of students standing silently, with pink duct tape across their mouths, signs wrapped around their bodies, and words scribbled across the duct tape. While they were standing silently, a video played in the background to give a verbal clue to those who were curious or would listen.
The Day of Silence is a national awareness day which, according to the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight network, “Hundreds of thousands of students nationwide take a vow of silence to bring attention to anti-LGBTQ name-calling, bullying and harassment in their schools.”
The peaceful protest against LGBTQ discrimination and violence was headed by the Pride Alliance. Other participants were from the Black Student Union, Veterans club, and PrideCall (a Lake County support group). The event was open to all who wished to join in, and posters were placed around CLC to remind people of the upcoming event.
“The importance of the Day of Silence was not only to bring awareness about the range of discrimination and violence towards the LGBTQ community because of their sexual orientation, but to also motivate them to take legal and social action. To take it up to the local state representatives, to get them to support anti-hate crime and human rights violation laws,” Pride Alliance Adviser Teresa Aguinaldo said.
CLC Pride’s event wasn’t just protesting LGBTQ discrimination. They also protested racism, sexism, and the mistreatment of those with disabilities.
The Day of Silence was hard for some of the participants, as a few had to lift their silence during class, but others stayed silent and handed out “The Day of Silence cards,” explaining what the day of silence was, and why they have chosen to stay silent. Without actually speaking, one participate said what they were doing was important to them, and they should not be forced to do anything that would compromise their political statement.
Those who have participated in this event stated that they feel more empowered afterward, understanding that by doing this, they had glimpse of what life is like for LGBTQ’s on a daily basis. Some have reported being more sympathetic and empathetic towards the cause.
“There hasn’t been any physical violence, though Pride has received hate mail,” Aguinaldo said.
Even small gestures can speak volumes, like laughing or backing away from the Pride table at events with a look of shock. Or a general disregard for the cause.
Aguinaldo participated in the event, and like other participants, only lifted her own silence to teach and work with her students. In her Women in Literature class she even asked her students to write a journal entry telling of a time when they felt silenced.
The event was ended with the Night of Screams, where all the participants regained their voices, expressing all the emotions they built up as the day progressed, and they celebrated not only who they are, but their voice in their LGBTQ/Ally community.
0 Response to "Students join in silence, stand up to discrimination"
Post a Comment