Day of Silence: April 16, 2010

School is already challenging and hard enough with quizes, tests, and the general pressure from parents and teachers that students have to deal with on a daily basis. The life of an average high school student consists of long days, short afternoons, and even shorter nights. Teenage students have to divide their day and maintain an organized schedule in order to have homework time, study time, and then bed time.

On top of everything else going on at school, high school teenagers have to have their “me time” as well as a social life. To many, high school is a critical point in life where many students develop serious friendships and relationships, and if you break the trust between the parties, prepare for the ultimate revenge as you have probably brought social suicide upon yourself. At this point, revenge may taste more bitter than sweet to you.

Bullying, harassing, and teasing are all factors that may bring down a student’s emotional well-being and drain the happiness and joy out of their lives. Bullying was exactly what drove the two harassed male students at Columbine High School to massacre their classmates in 1999 as well as the male college student at Virgina Tech to go on a shooting rampage in 2007, killing himself in the end.

Bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender students in school, on the other hand arguably have it a lot harder than the average student. The lifestyle that they live are unacceptable among many societies, and many of them face difficulties on a daily basis. In 1996, the first National Day of Silence debuted at the University of Virgina, and has had nothing but positive and strong feedback since then.

The Day of Silence has become the largest single student-led action toward creating safer schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. The organizing efforts had reached over 8,000 middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities across the country by 2008; its textured history reflects its diversity in both numbers and reach.

Four truths about the National Day of Silence:

1. The Day of Silence’s purpose is to bring attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment and effective responses.

2. Hundreds of thousands of students of all beliefs, backgrounds and sexual orientations participate in the Day of Silence.

3. Day of Silence participants encourage schools to implement proven solutions to address anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment.

4. The day is a positive educational experience.

Westside High School always has a small amount of students who participate in the event annually, and this year was no different. The Howler hopes you had an enjoyably quiet day and encourages you and your friends to get educated about the cause and maybe even get involved next year!