By Ruchi Naresh
Jay Theden, 20, participated in the April 15 Day of Silence. She said after losing her best friend, she was silenced by death. BTL photo: Ruchi Naresh
DETROIT-
Observed across the nation since 1996, the April 15 Day of Silence brings attention to the issue of bullying. Participants take a daylong vow of silence to highlight the bullying victims who usually remain unnoticed.
At an event at the Ruth Ellis Center last Saturday to honor the Day of Silence, a mostly teenage audience of 30 members gathered to learn about bullying and participate in group activities. Attendees, who spent part the event with their mouths taped shut and covered with bullying messages written on paper, were later encouraged to break their silence by sharing their personal stories in a supportive environment.
Denise Brogan-Kator, the interim executive director at Equality Michigan, explained the significance of holding the event at the Ruth Ellis Center, which is one of the three centers for homeless LGBT youth in the country. "This provides an opportunity for them to have a support system and realize that they are not the only ones that are silenced," Brogan-Kator said. "This shines a light on that issue in a way it would not necessarily be seen."
Brogan-Kator also stated that an estimated 40 percent of homeless youth in the country are LGBT. She also pointed out that bullying exists in a variety of forms, in every socio-economic class and in every school across the state.
Bernard Emanuel Norris, 22, said hearing bullying stories of other participants "was very empowering. Seeing them stand up there gave me a bit of courage for me to stand up."
Norris said in his experience, "the biggest thing (that) silenced me is people using the Bible to justify discrimination."
Nusrat Ventimiglia, director of victim services at Equality Michigan, said observing silence meant bringing awareness to the people who are silenced every day.
While speakers and activities explained resources available to bullying victims, one question arose: How to prevent bullying from happening in the first place?
Brogan-Kator said media, the home environment and television could play a big role in creating bullies. "There are books written and research done surrounding why bullying happens," she said. "Some bullies feel themselves to be bullied, so this is the way they defend themselves. And some bullies are just part of a group."
"I think it's the environment," Ventimiglia said. "When you talk schools, you are talking about teachers. They sometimes overlook it by saying 'it'll pass' or 'boys will be boys,' and make excuses and allow it to happen. That escalates into something worse."
The solution, Ventimiglia concluded, is that "it's important to look at the climate and to make sure that every person, every child deserves a safe space, a fair shot at a good education and it's everyone's responsibility to do that.
"It's also important to remember that you are not alone. There is support and love out there for you even if it's not at home."
