~ The National Day of Silence
The National Day of Silence is a day on which those people who support creating safe school from LGBT people take a vow of silence from sun up to sun down to recognize and protect the harassment, prejudice, and discrimination – in effect, the silencing – that LGBT people face. Instead of speaking, university participants hand out cards, or wear stickers or t-shirts informing people the reason for their silence.
But the Day of Silence is about more than being silent for a day. It’s about raising awareness around LGBT issues, making a visible personal commitment to justice and equality, and potentially, organizing a larger campaign to promote safety and respect in your school and community.
(Why use Silence as a tactic?)
The Day of Silence enables participants to show, in a highly visible way, everyone they encounter, that they support LGBT rights. At the same time, it provides a space for personal reflection about the consequences of being silent and silenced bolstering an inner determination to speak up. The Day of Silence moves the power of these personal experiences to a community-focused effort. It compels us to consider how we can make out own voices stronger and begin to stop silencing ourselves. By taking silence, a tool that traditionally has been used to deprive people of their voice and power, and turning it into an intentional group activity, the impact can be felt.
You can learn more about the National Day of Silence at: www.dayofsilence.org
Day of Silence T-shirts
(design created by SHADES and Kellye Greene on behalf of Hip-Hop Congress)
Relay For Life is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of your American Cancer Society. During the event, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times. The relay from night until sunrise represents the many cancer survivors journey from darkness to light. The relay also represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be eliminated.
SHADES has established its team and will be participating in an effort to help raise money, along with numerous teams here at Ohio University, for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life which will take place this spring quarter. Your support is needed and any contribution helps and is greatly appreciated.