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HALF
HOLLOW HILLS
Speaking
Through Silence
By Alessandra Malito/
info@longislandernews.com
If you were to walk through
the crowded halls of Hills West on May 1, you wouldnt have
heard the usual bustling of students opening their red lockers,
socializing with the many friends who gather around a circle for
as long as possible before going to class.
Instead of the between class noises the students
at Hills West have become familiarized with, they heard nothing.
Those who walked through the front doors at Hills
West that morning were greeted by volunteers who took part in the
annual Day of Silence, a day to promote awareness of those who are
harassed each day for his or her sexual orientation. The students
are given a pass as they enter the building stating that they will
be allowed to participate in the event without being penalized for
not speaking up in class.
I am passionate about it. It really does
prove a point that students are refraining from being open about
their sexuality because of harassment and bullying, said Jeremy
Sloane, a junior at Hills West, who firmly believes in this cause
and gladly participated throughout the entire day without speaking.
It represents the idea that many gays and bisexuals, and lesbians
are silent about their sexuality because they are afraid of being
bullied.
We speak everyday, continued Sloane.
Today, there is a special approach.
Silence definitely says a lot more,
said Frank Pugliese, one of the three assistant principals at Hills
West, who feels that silence is more powerful than words,
because we are used to talking.
He went on to explain that when one feels the absence
of talking in the air, its something that one can clearly
feel and notice. And had he been able to participate, he would have
certainly done so.
As a concept, itll be very effective
and it really does express or expose what its like to be alienated,
he said. You dont fit in or youre not a part of
the conversation in general.
This deep feeling of understanding was evidently
mutual between student and administrator as they spoke, or wrote,
their thoughts about the Day of Silence. The event is also a national
event, which can be learned about further at www.dayofsilence.org.
I truly believe in the cause and if I can
prove this idea to just one person by not speaking, then its
worthwhile, said Sloane.
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