At my high school, as some may have heard on the national news, a Rev. Ken Hutchins came to our school to speak at our MLK assembly to provide how Martin Luther King affected him personally as a black man of the 1960's. However, at the beginning of his speech one of our teachers booed him. To me this was unbelievable and I knew nothing of Mr. Hutchinson's backround on protesting gay rights. Well once the teacher finally stopped, the Mr. Hutchinson began to unravel his life as a black man and how he at first disagreed with MLk's approach at gaining rights. His speech was beautiful. But yet again, it was interupted by another teacher who this time questioned him on how he could come and speak on equal rights when he clearly opposed rights to the gay community. No matter what anyone's beliefs were on this issue that day, they should have not been brought up in a speech which had now been ruined by teachers and their inappropriate behavior. Later this year, almost two weeks ago now, on April 25th, the Day of Silence was held at our school for it's third year in a row. This day is dedicated to those who have been "silenced" for coming out of the closet with their sexuality. With what I've experienced the two previous years on this day, is the most uncomfortable and emotional day in the whole school year. Those who decide not to participate for their own personal beliefs or indeciveness get rude and nasty looks, while others have actually been thrown into lockers for not participating. Nothing was done by our administration about these incidents, and the event has still been allowed to continue. So therefore this year, Mr. Hutchinson decided to gather protesters to come to my own, Mount Si High School, and protest this day for it should not be a matter that goes on within a school setting in a government funded building. It should simply not be permitted when so many feel uncomfortable going to school on this day, myself included. With a needed to retaliate against the humiliating and unrelated questions reguarding gay rights the protests began that Day of Silence Mornin. That's when it got even more out of hand, protesters then also came to protest the protesters. And 482 out of roughly 1400 students did not show up to school that day with the increasing contreversy. What type of administration lets a situation get this far out of hand?! The event should have never occured in a government building in the first place where innocent teenagers are used as community puppets. I am ashamed to have my administration not taking the necessary steps to guarentee student safety and education.
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
Hey I go to Texas A&M in texas and im sorry that it had to happen like that at your school. Here it was accepted and I didnt see one person not attend the mettings and participate. . . . .No matter gay, lesbian, transgendered, bi, or straight they all participated. If not for gay rights, but this year it was in memory of Lawerence King. So I think people should set aside their differences and show respect for other people :) have a nice day :) Dont worry college will be better.. . . . they are much more open and understanding :)
-Sean Ryan Donnelly-
Have a great day :)
Comments and ratings are always appriciated :) thank you
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/seandonnelly
"Those who decide not to participate for their own personal beliefs or indeciveness get rude and nasty looks, while others have actually been thrown into lockers for not participating."
Heh. That's kind of ironic - it's the other way around. This past year, my friends and I were harassed by a teacher because we either didn't talk to him, or talked so softly that he actually had to listen and pay attention in order to hear us. The teacher (this was for gym class, by the way), then decided that those who were participating in Day of Silence would lose their points for "lack of communication"...but they still had to play (not something he did, ever, by the way - if you lost your points, you had to go sit down). I had already lost mine, and I watched him put a zero in the grade book for those who were quiet.
The game we were playing? Soccer. It's a game that five people in the class played (due to ball-hogs), and no actual communication is needed outside of physical signals.
*sigh*
I dislike that teacher, so very, very much.
============
http://progressiveu.org/201143-i-need-hero
(Latest blog. )
Heh. That's kind of ironic - it's the other way around.
My thoughts exactly
“I hope the departure is joyful and I hope never to return.” - Frida Kahlo
I'm gonna betch slap the dumb outta you
Wow, and I thought my school was bad with student's parents calling in to express their dislike of DOS. It's hard to go to a school where the people aren't as open minded as you are. When you get to college you'll find more people like yourself who are willing to accept others for who they are.
I found it hard at my school when people didn't even know what the day was. The couldn't even form their own opinions about it cause they weren't informed well enough about the day or what it stands for.
___________________________________________________________________
"Most intellects do not believe in God, but they fear us just the same." - Erykah Badu
Wow, things are intense at your school. I agree that its the most uncomfortable day of the year. Its great that you guys protested, but I can't believe they protested your protesting! Schools should really look into this more if student safety is being jeopardized...
dún do bheal
The only way DOS can be seen as uncomfortable is if people are pressured into participating or not participating and that's exactly what went on. DOS isn't about pressuring people to choose sides but to raise awareness and show support.
Plus, I'm not sure the schools can ban DOS. It's kind of a freedom of speech type of thing and as long as everybody can act in a mature fashion (which obviously doesn't happen often) nobody will get hurt or be offended by the day.
___________________________________________________________________
"Most intellects do not believe in God, but they fear us just the same." - Erykah Badu
exactly how i feel they should not have the DOS during school its ridiculous to put more pressure into a teenage/ highschool environment