Students across America will attend class on Friday and not say a word. This silent protest is to bring attention to the desperate need for anti-bullying laws across the nation to protect students from their peers and their teachers.
The purpose of Day of Silence is to bring attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment, and effective responses.
o The goal of Day of Silence is to make schools safer for all students, regardless of sexual orientation
and gender identity/expression.
Four out of five LGBT students experience harassment at school.
o Students across the country participate in Day of Silence to bring attention to this problem,
let students who experience bullying know they are not alone,
and ask schools to take action to address the problem.
This is not a new issue and is one that is of great concern to all Texans. What child deserves to live in fear of attending school? What child deserves to be called names or intimidated just because they are perceived to be different from the nor or are willing to express themselves in a different way.
While this is about GLBT students, it affects all students. Many are taunted and bullied by their classmates just because they do not fit a certain mold. It is time for us to break the molds that cling to stereo types and teach understanding and acceptance in our schools.
Having been a victim of harassment in school, I can personally attest to the fact that walking the halls in fear is not a pleasant way to attend school or try to achieve an education. This type of treatment- mainly from a coach who's class I could not avoid- was the main reason I quit high school as a senior and got my GED instead. I was one of the lucky ones. I went on to college after quitting school due to fear and harassment. Many of the kids who quit don't even get their GEDs much less go on to college. They are taught to fear people and even hate themselves by the very people who should be helping them.
Day of Silence participants encourage schools to implement proven solutions to address anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment.
o Adopt and implement a comprehensive anti-bullying policy that enumerates categories such as race, gender, ethnicity, physical appearance, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity/expression.
o Provide staff training to enable school staff to identify and address anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment effectively and in a timely manner.
o Support student efforts to address anti-LGBT bullying and harassment on campus, such as Gay-Straight Alliance clubs.
o Institute age-appropriate, factually accurate and inclusive curricula to help students understand and respect difference within the school community and society as a whole.
Day of Silence is a positive educational experience.
o Day of Silence is an opportunity for students to work toward improving the school climate for all students.
o The day is most successful when schools and students work together to show their commitment to ensuring safe schools for all students.
Out Youth will co-host Day of Silence Rally on April 25th at the State Capitol along with Equality Texas, Texas GSA Network, PFLAG-Austin, allgo, Soulforce, GLSEN Dallas, and Transgender Advocates of Central Texas (TACT). The rally will have an open microphone for youth to share their experiences and thoughts about the bullying and harassment faced in schools.
Dallas:
Breaking the Silence Rally
Friday, April 25th, 7:00 p.m.
Reverchon Park, Maple at Oak Lawn in Dallas
The Dallas chapter of GLSEN, in partnership with Youth First Texas, has organized over 20 Dallas and Fort Worth community organizations to join the Day of Silence student participants for the first-ever Breaking the Silence Rally.
Houston:
Check out this article in the Houston Chronicle, Silent Teenagers Have Katy, Clear Creek Adults Talking.
As the video asked, What are you going to do to end the silence?
