forester814

Yes.

As I said, even those that misguidedly skipped school or created anti-gay graffiti in protest added to the publicity and public awareness that we were seeking on this issue.

You just took the time to read about it, both in the news stories I posted and here on this forum. And you probably wouldn't have even known about this issue if it weren't for the Day of Silence.

It means the message is spreading far and wide.

And THAT is a positive response.

fxashun

You seem to be in a "gay" fog. Seriously. It sends a message to both sides. And they kinda cancel each other out.

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AlicornsPrayer

Actually, no their messages don't cancel one another out...In fact, the messages made by both sides shows just how serious the divide is...

Those participating in the event did so in an orderly and respectful manner. Worthy of praise, consideration, and acceptance.

While those that chose to skip or paint graffiti showed that they were disruptive, disrespectful, and even destructive within their communities...Showing that they weren't worthy of praise, consideration, or acceptance.

If anything, those participating showed the best qualities that we seek of members of our society...While those choosing the other route showed qualities that we find distateful and unwanted within our communities.

No...Those participating shined. Those that didn't and chose the more disruptive/distructive path crashed with a dull thud.

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http://www.politicalwrinkles.com/pol...n-contest.html

fxashun

Not really, they just chose to demonstrate their feelings in differing ways. You had the violent and non-violent protests. All movements have them. And all claim some kind of success.
Even those that cut school showed how they felt about it.
Maybe they should have a "shut the F up about "gay" day".

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forester814

Of COURSE no kids should be bullied! I don't think you will find a single person on this forum who would say otherwise.

The Day of Silence is NOT saying bullying other kids is A-OK. It takes no position on the matter.

Some say gay people are seeking "special protection." They need to use words that they feel comfortable with, in order shift the fault from the abuser to the abused. That way, they can feel good as they continue their "special abuse" of us while maintaining that gay people are in the wrong, and "have it coming."

How dare gay people demand not to be abused... they're GAY! They deserve abuse! (Think this sounds farfetched? I refer you to Sharon's post above.)

So, back to the Day of Silence. Because gay and lesbian people have long been singled out for special abuse at all stages of life in our society, it was only natural that when we got smart and got organized about standing together against it as adults, we would also extend that effort to standing against it as children and teenagers.

My heart went out to you as I read this, PN. Yes, the school system failed you, and I am truly sorry to hear that. None of this should have ever happened to you.

I can empathize. My doctor excused me from gym class from 4th grade through high school graduation, and I got a lot of grief about it.

I'm very grateful to hear that things worked out for you in the end. You are a very decent guy, and now I have a better understanding why.

It sounds counterintuitive, but it's been my experience that the most empathetic and kind people are people who were never shown much empathy or kindness early on. And conversely, I have found that those who are the most cruel, closedminded and judgmental have never been true victims of cruelty and closedmindedness.

PN, this is the most I have heard you talk about yourself in a very long time. Thank you very much for sharing this.

The best revenge truly is living well, isn't it?

forester814

Right you are, sis.

I find it ironic that the protestors, by their choice of protest style, actually identified themselves as participants in the very behavior the Day of Silence was created to spotlight. Pretty effective spotlight, since it got them national news coverage.

By the way, my daughter let me know that only one child in her class was absent from school that day, and it happens to be the class bully. She and many of her classmates have had run-ins with him over the years, and I have talked with her teachers about him in the past. The teachers have told me and other concerned parents (yes we all talk) that he comes from a troubled home, and the boy's parents don't seem to care about all the trouble their son is causing. It's very sad.

I don't understand how these people (and their parents) think. Did they really think skipping school and graffiti would advance their view? It makes about as much sense as protesting Fire Safety Week by intentionally starting fires.

pensacola_niceman

OK, how about a "Day of Silence" for ALL kids subject to bullying? I think we've established that being gay is only one of several common reasons kids get bullied in school. Why is being gay anymore important than sucking at sports as a reason for getting bullied?

forester814

PN, as I told gary when he suggested it, if you want to start a movement like that, I would definitely support it.

I gave some money to breast cancer research this year.
Does that mean I don't care if people die of liver cancer?

And if I dig deeper in my wallet for liver cancer, what about all the people that die of pancreatic cancer? And skin cancer? Do I not care about them?

People have limited time and resources.

The only thing that is preventing such a movement from starting is... someone to care enough about the issue to commit the time, energy and resources to start it and keep it going.

fxashun

Not all of them. 250, almost the same number of people at that school that participated, chose not to come to school that day. Sounds like it was rather nulled.

Whenever this is placed up for vote "in a community" the true feelings "of the community-at-large" shows most favor those that didn't show up that day. "Most people" simply don't want to know about or be involved with this mess.

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forester814

Nulled? If it was nulled, there would be no news story.

But just the opposite happened. HUGE news story.

We had 500 people making our point for us, instead of 250.

Greater publicity, greater dissemination of the message.

And if the message had been nulled, we wouldn't be sitting here talking about it, creating EVEN MORE awareness.