Today is the Day of Silence. It is also Global Youth Service Day. In one way I am sad these two days overlap (it is difficult to participate in one while participating in the other,) and in another I am glad we have this one day that is exemplary of the kindness still left in this world, and specifically, the tremendous compassion of our community.

First some background: the first Day of Silence was in 1996 and was thought up by University of Virginia students who were inspired by non-violent forms of protest. The day long silence of participants symbolizes the silence victims of anti-LGBTQ+ bullying face everyday. The tagline: “Think about the voices you aren’t hearing today?” sums it up nicely. The day is now officially sponsored by GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network,) and is practiced nationwide.

South’s PROUD (People Representing Our Unity and Diversity) club hosts the event each year, passing out rainbow ribbons and educational flyers to raise awareness and support. I think we forget, living in Bloomington, how lucky we are. If it were up to me, there would be a club in every school dedicated to celebrating sexuality and gender identity diversity, but sadly that isn’t the case. I know that there are problems in this community in regards to acceptance, but I’m so happy I live here, and not somewhere where I have to hide who I am in order to be safe at school.

I’d like to thank PROUD and anyone who is participating in the Day of Silence today. You are silent in remembrance for those who we have lost due to bigotry and bullying. You are strong for those still trying to figure out who they are in a world that is wary of accepting difference. You are kind for supporting a community that has been suppressed for a long time.

Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) is a program sponsored nationally by Youth Service America founded in 1986, and locally by the Monroe County Youth Council (MCYC). MCYC is a student led organization that plans and executes a number of service projects for GYSD. Not only are students engaging in projects to help the environment, give back to local elementary schools and aid victims of domestic violence, they have picked and planned these projects themselves.

Life makes us busy. We get caught up in the buzz of tests and jobs and responsibilities and we forget that we have a community that makes all of this possible. Today is a day in which students give back to the community that supports them.
So hooray for today. It’s easy to get bogged down in world tragedies and problems we’re still a long way from solving. Honestly I feel a little worse about the state of this country anytime a presidential debate is on. But I know, from days like today, that the adults in the making have our backs. If there are still people who care about the community and all the people in it, we’ll be okay.

(Catch up on the rants you missed here.)