Day of Silence: A Letter to Pelham High Students

Wed, 13 May 2009 15:57:06 +0100

To the students of Pelham High School:

Let me start by thanking each of you who takes the time to read this, especially those who feel that the matter at hand does not affect them. I feel this is an important subject within our community.

As most of you know, students in PHS organize one day each year for something called the Day of Silence. Although those of us who try to put it together stress the facts and reasons behind it often, many people still seem to completely misunderstand the point of the DOS.

The Day of Silence was first used in 1996 in the University of Virginia, and has since spread to over 8,000 schools nationally. The purpose of the DOS is to bring awareness to the school of the harassment and bullying that many of your fellow students endure on a daily basis. Though not as severe here in other places in the country where people have been murdered for being a social minority, students in Pelham suffer at the hands of bullying as well. We stay silent for the day to send out a loud message against bullying, and for support of fellow classmates who have been victimized.

Many seem to be under the impression that it “disrupts school time,” and therefore should not be allowed. Since when has staying SILENT and paying attention ever disrupted a classroom? Besides, isn’t school really about education and broadening your mind, hearing other ideas? And to those who want to stay home from school on the Day of Silence, I implore you: isn’t missing a day of education more disruptive than a few students staying silent and still continuing their work?

Many of you ask why there is not a “straight Day of Silence.” Let me make myself perfectly clear: the Day of Silence is in NO way a “gay day,” or anything remotely resembling “gay pride.” It is simply an anti-bullying day. Although you are at liberty to create a day for straight people, it would need to have a completely different meaning, as no one has ever been harassed or murdered for being straight.

Nevertheless, I respect any decision you make regarding starting whatever “straight DOS” you might have in mind, as it is YOUR right to free speech. I do, however, want to remind you that we will give you the respect that you have never shown us. We will not name-call or harass, we simply will not break any rules (such as distributing materials against your cause during class time; the very rules many of you have blatantly ignored), and we will not rip down your posters and destroy your property. To put it bluntly, we will not stoop to your level.

I want to thank those of you who have been supportive or respectful to our cause.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

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Day of Silence: A Letter to Pelham High Students