Stand up for the silenced
Sarah Zeeck
Issue date: 4/17/09 Section: Opinion
Across campus today, you'll see students with their mouths taped shut, or wearing clothes with various derogatory words towards homosexuals emblazoned across their t-shirts, written on their arms, or on signs they may carry. You may try to talk to them, only to be frustrated when they don't respond.
However, you might see a little card explaining their actions. This is because today marks the 13th annual National Day of Silence, a day recognizing gay and lesbian victims of violence and other forms of abuse.
Sadly enough, participants will undoubtedly meet many naysayers today. Though we live in America, a country where differences are supposed to be embraced, and uniqueness is encouraged, some still cannot get over the fact that someone else may have different philosophies or lifestyles.
These people will likely protest those participating in the Day of Silence. They'll have their megaphones, posters and pamphlets to yell at passersby, letting them know just how wrong these people are for living their lives the way they do.
There's nothing wrong with disagreeing with someone's lifestyle - one could just as easily be outraged by two people living together regardless of sexual orientation, or be outraged at someone for choosing to smoke, or drink or indulge in fast food.
When taken to a highly public level, though, this becomes more than a simple disagreement with lifestyle: it becomes a finger pointing, one-ring, one-man circus where the offender's main goal is to say, "Look at these people. They're different, and they're wrong. Do not side with them."
One could argue that by celebrating the Day of Silence, those participating are rubbing everyone else's faces in their sexuality and therefore opening themselves up to criticism.
The difference between the two, though, is that the Day of Silence participants are not trying to force those around them to become gay - they're just asking for acceptance. They're being honest about who they are and aren't asking people to join a force to bring down others.
The day does have significance. A week ago, an 11-year-old boy from Massachusetts hung himself because he didn't want to endure gay taunting any longer from his peers. That incident is, of course, not isolated. This type of abuse is never ending.
If you happen to come across someone today and they don't speak to you when you address them, don't be offended, and don't judge them. Maybe you don't agree with them, but they have given you no reason to treat them with anything but absolute respect.
However, you might see a little card explaining their actions. This is because today marks the 13th annual National Day of Silence, a day recognizing gay and lesbian victims of violence and other forms of abuse.
Sadly enough, participants will undoubtedly meet many naysayers today. Though we live in America, a country where differences are supposed to be embraced, and uniqueness is encouraged, some still cannot get over the fact that someone else may have different philosophies or lifestyles.
These people will likely protest those participating in the Day of Silence. They'll have their megaphones, posters and pamphlets to yell at passersby, letting them know just how wrong these people are for living their lives the way they do.
There's nothing wrong with disagreeing with someone's lifestyle - one could just as easily be outraged by two people living together regardless of sexual orientation, or be outraged at someone for choosing to smoke, or drink or indulge in fast food.
When taken to a highly public level, though, this becomes more than a simple disagreement with lifestyle: it becomes a finger pointing, one-ring, one-man circus where the offender's main goal is to say, "Look at these people. They're different, and they're wrong. Do not side with them."
One could argue that by celebrating the Day of Silence, those participating are rubbing everyone else's faces in their sexuality and therefore opening themselves up to criticism.
The difference between the two, though, is that the Day of Silence participants are not trying to force those around them to become gay - they're just asking for acceptance. They're being honest about who they are and aren't asking people to join a force to bring down others.
The day does have significance. A week ago, an 11-year-old boy from Massachusetts hung himself because he didn't want to endure gay taunting any longer from his peers. That incident is, of course, not isolated. This type of abuse is never ending.
If you happen to come across someone today and they don't speak to you when you address them, don't be offended, and don't judge them. Maybe you don't agree with them, but they have given you no reason to treat them with anything but absolute respect.
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