Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Caryn Riswold

Home
Progressive Christian
Who Needs A Day of Silence?

Who Needs A Day of Silence?

Last updated on: April 19, 2013 at 8:30 am by Caryn Riswold

Who Needs A Day of Silence? 2013-04-18T08:40:24-06:00 Caryn Riswold

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Today is the National Day of Silence, “a day of action in which students across the country vow to take a form of silence to call attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in schools.” It is organized and promoted by the Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) a “leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students.”

A bit about its history:

Founded in 1996, the Day of Silence has become the largest single student-led action towards creating safer schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. From the first-ever Day of Silence at the University of Virginia in 1996, to the organizing efforts in over 8,000 middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities across the country in 2008, its textured history reflects its diversity in both numbers and reach.

Organizing a Day of Silence (DOS) activity or event can be a positive tool for change-both personally and community-wide. By taking a vow of silence, you’re making a powerful statement about the important issue of anti-LGBT bullying, and when you organize others to join you that message becomes stronger.

I have participated in this event on my campus in past years by allowing students in my classroom who’ve taken the vow the freedom to not participate in class discussion, and one year I wore a t-shirt in honor of a silenced group.

For a person with systemic privileges, being an ally is a complex and important thing. There are plenty of suggestions out there for being an ally to LGBT people, being an anti-racist ally, a feminist ally, and many others. There are ally guides for teachers, for friends, and for the general public.

Today, think about one of the common threads in a lot of these instructions: Listen. Listen to what is being said, and listen to what is not being said. The latter, of course, seems harder. Listen to the silence. Whose voice isn’t present? Whose experience isn’t being represented? Figuring this out demands attention and careful thought in any social and political moment.

But the first part is hard too. Listen to what is being said. If white supremacy is being called out for what it is, and you have white skin, shut up and listen. If sexism and misogyny are being named, and you are a man, stop talking and pay attention. If homophobia is being described, and you are a heterosexual person, sit down and focus on the details. If Islamophobia is the subject of news commentary once again, and you are Christian, take the time to really hear what it feels like.

Because the truth is, people are talking about this stuff all the time, and if you aren’t hearing it, you aren’t paying attention.

In fact, it’s the people with systemic privilege who need a day of silence.

Actually, we might need more than one.

Previous Post

April 17, 2013

Interfaith Action: Faiths Against Hate

Next Post

April 23, 2013 "Why Guys Throw Bombs"

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Abortion At the Intersections Atheism Christianity Contraception Education Feminism Gender Getting Theological Honorable Mention Islam LGBT News Our Voices Race Uncategorized

Select a Month July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

True or False: Paul taught that there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female, for all are one in Christ Jesus.

Select your answer to see how you score.

TRUE FALSE