The Observer, April 28, 2006
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 26
Day of Silence observed; raises awareness at Case
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On Wednesday, the silence on Case's campus was loud and deliberate. It was the National Day of Silence, and Spectrum saw that it was properly observed at Case.
The Day of Silence started in 1996 at the University of Virginia with 150 participating students. The students took a vow of silence for one day to demonstrate the silence that many gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people live in as a result of harassment, shame, or fear. Since then, the movement has become the largest student-led action toward the pursuit of safer schools.
Participants carry speaking cards, which they hand out to people who try to talk to them throughout the day. The cards explain the purpose of the silence and explain the need for acceptance. Case participants also wore lavender ribbons somewhere on their bodies, so that they could be recognized and their solidarity understood. The day means a lot to the Case community.
"We participate in the Day of Silence in honor of those GLBT individuals who are not in supportive communities, who are forced to live in silence and for the GLBT people who have died as a result of their sexual orientation," Spectrum co-president Sabina Hossain said.
Most of the Spectrum members participated, and they hoped to get a good turnout from the general campus community "Some students try and use the excuse of 'Oh, I have to give a presentation that day,' but you're allowed to break your silence for a short time if it's necessary," Hossain said.
Several Case students participated in the Day of Silence this year. For some, it was not difficult to remain silent, but others found it incredibly hard.
"It was not a challenge to be quiet all day long," freshman Adam Suney said. "The difficulty was in communicating."
"I forgot a couple of times that I was supposed to be silent," freshman Jeremy Ondo said. "I hated it. It was horrible and awful. I would hate to have to be silent all the time."
One problem many participants had with the Day of Silence was the lack of widespread knowledge of the event. "In my high school people knew about the event; there were generally 30 people participating every year. Here, I got so many weird looks," freshman Gigi Criss said.
Overall, though, the Day of Silence was a success, and the participants were pleased with their effort. "I enjoyed the opportunity to express myself in such a strong, vivid way," Suney said.
