Many local students won’t be talking back to their parents or teachers on April 20. In fact, they won’t be talking at all.
Participants in the annual Day of Silence are taking vows to bite their tongues, an action that aims to raise awareness of bullying, particularly of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender classmates—though anyone can be a victim.
The symbolic speechlessness mimics the silence of bullied students who don’t speak up for whatever reason—fear, worry, doubt—and who, in some cases, have taken their own lives rather than raising their voices to fight their suffering.
Teresa Barahona, a youth outreach coordinator at Pacific Pride Foundation in Santa Maria, told the Sun she’s been working with Northern Santa Barbara County schools and their Gay-Straight Alliance groups to coordinate events for the day. Pacific Pride representatives plan to visit area campuses to deliver packets to alliance advisers and principals, explaining why many participants might be unwilling to talk on April 20.
The nonprofit is also offering resources for students who hope to unite the community at large behind this cause. Alliance members from Lompoc, Cabrillo, Santa Maria, Pioneer, and Righetti high schools will come together on April 7 for a day of creativity dedicated to making banners, flyers, posters, and stickers.
“[Working] together makes their voices so much louder,” Barahona said.
She explained that the North County students have expressed a particular desire in emphasizing opposition to bullying of all people, no matter the reason.
To cap the day of nonverbal protest, everyone is invited to a “Breaking the Silence” event at the corner of Broadway and Main Street in Santa Maria at 6 p.m.
“Students are inviting community members to join in bringing awareness against bullying and making our schools a safer place for our youth regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, or gender expression,” Barahona said in an e-mail to local media.
For more information, or to offer help or participation, call Barahona at 349-9947, Ext. 103. It’s not too late for other schools—including middle or elementary schools—to lend their voices (or lack thereof).
Executive Editor Ryan Miller compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send comments to rmiller@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Apr 5-12, 2012.