To create social change most people imagine long speeches, or big group protests where signs and chants are used to get the point across.
Well this cannot be said for the National Day of Silence, which took place last Friday, April 17. This is a day of awareness for the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community. Having supporters for the cause go a portion of their day in complete silence, all in the efforts to bring awareness and create a bully-free environment for the LGBT community.
Cabrini joined the thousands of other schools nation wide to take a stand and take the pledge to be silent for the day. This student-initiated event was sponsored through the Office of Student Diversity.
The day started at 11 a.m. when those who chose to take part began their silence, which was not broken until 4 p.m. at the Peace pole. Through out the day there were information tables and presentations to allow for more insight about the event.
The act of being silent for the day helps to bring awareness but it has a lot more meaning then one would first think.
Sarah Carter, the assistant director of programming for the Diversity Office, helped to shine more light on what it represent to be silent for the day. Members of the LGBT community are often silent about their true selves out of fear of being harassed.
“You can’t fully live in another’s life but sometimes showing solidarity shows a moment of how we can break the silence together,” Carter said.
Carter explains how the act of being silent can help to start a dialogue with people who are un-aware of the LGBT community. Starting this dialogue and educating others about this cause is the main focus of this event. This can open up a conversation about the silence that LGBT people live in everyday; this conversation will help to make a safer living environment for them to openly live their lives.
Cabrini’s mission of social justice is reflected in the work the Office of Student Diversity does to bring awareness to many aspects of life. GSA (gender & sexuality alliance) is an organization on campus, which helps to bring this awareness throughout the school year. This club represents student engagement and is currently looking for more participants to help carry out the social justice aspect Cabrini.
“The strong mission for social justice is to support our students and create a safe zone,” Carter said.
