So the 13th was Day Of Silence. Participating in college was a bit of a different experience. No school board officials to combat. No "faggot" or "homo"'s being verbally pelted my way, not that it was ever a serious problem but in high school there were people to educate. Here the student population is pretty open and tolerant, it was preaching to the wrong choir. And since this was a wednesday, I didn't have any classes, which was unfortunate. It hindered my ability to spread awareness. Instead I spent the whole day with my friends who were either participating themselves or were very supportive. Of course I participated in charades and used a notebook from time-to-time for communication, which I felt badly about, but again, my friends were not the target audience.
I read yesterday about the right wing christian response to Day of Silence: Day of truth, where apparently kids who disagree with the movement are invited to disperse pamphlets and spread the word on why homosextuality is such a grave sin.
I almost puked, but they are entitled to free speech. I just wish they didn't feel the need to get defensive. Day of silence is, well, silent non violent protest, its whole purpose is to premote tolerance and to put an end to persecution. Isn't that what Jesus himself was trying to premote? It seems to me that many of his messages have been contorted to appease growing sentiment. Like the crusades, for example. Thou shalt not kill became its ok to kill as long as its not other christians. What does organized religion have to say for itself when it looks back on historical injustices like the 30 years war, the inquisition, and the holocaust? Not that in all of those instances the catholic church was behind them, but my point is that the prejudices held by organized religions in general set the stage for these sort of large scale atrocities, and, hello, go against the fundamental principles of the christian faith. Or is it that those principles only apply where other christians are concerned?
Adn those sort of horrible things arn't just in our past. Look at the situations in northern Ireland, Isreal and Palestine, the rwandan genocide? Its still happening! Why are we always trying to separate ourselves from one another? why is everyone so god damn elitist, huh? why do we need to separate the heterosextual from the homosextual, why do we have to say who can be married and who can't? Its like the 50's and 60's when we said who could use which bathroom or water fountain or attend which school?
Its enough. Its enough.
Can't we live in peace already? Can't we at least ACCept that there are different kinds of people in this world and different opinions to go along with them? Accept them and move on man. There is no need to shun them or persecute them.
Day of silence is just a bunch of people quietly exercising their hope for freedom from persecution, from being silenced. Why is that so threatening?
In conclusion, I'm saddened by this new "day of truth", but I guess in the end, I shouldn't be. Everyone has the right to stand up for what they believe in, thats the beauty of the first amendment of our great constitution which i love so much. But I can't help but look back at where humanity has been, and where we still are, and not see that further seperation and prejudice will keep us there.
Let me know what you guys think.
t h e . l u n c h . g r o u p
Okay, I can no longer say that I'm one award away from being an award winning author.
At a very wonderful poetry reading and award ceremony the following was announced:
- "It...", a flash fiction story by Victoria S---, won the Wesley Ryals Merit Award for Fiction (competition: students, teachers, faculty, alumni of FSC; also known as 2nd place with a pretty certificate)
- "Syll-a-ber-ee," a poem by Victoria S---, won the Cantilevers's Student Writing Award for Poetry (competition: students only; also known as best student poetry; certificate of acheivement, plaque and $500.00 to Barnes and Noble 0.0)
- "Tail-gate Ponderings," a poem by Victoria S---, dedicated to her amazing boyfriend, Brian A---, won the Wesley Ryals Award for Poetry (competition: students, teachers, faculty, alumni of FSC; also known as the best over all poem; certificate of achievement, plaque, and unspoken honor of "Poet of the Year")
I can hardly believe any of this. It's so surreal. I knew I was getting an award and, since everyone who already knew wanted to throw me off, they let me think I was getting it for fiction. I never thought it would be "Tail-gate." I think it's better that it's "Tail-gate" because it's who I am now, not that angsty, hurt, mourning high school senior that wrote "It...". I'm so utterly happy. Peter Meinke, our guest speaker and guest poet, told me that my reading was "amazing" and he thought it was a "refreshing reversal" that truly put everything in perspective. Coming from him - a poet published in his own books twelve times over, international professor, and credentials beyond my comprehension - it was as if the archangel Gabriel had decended, sat down next to me at dinner, and said "You're cool. We like you up in heaven. No worries about making it there, just be yourself" (not that I'm doubting religion, etc, it's just a metaphor). I got to read my stuff too. It was the first time I"d gotten to do a reading. I wish you two and brian could have been there!!! It was completely amazing. I was shaking and could hardly stand by the time it was over.
I won. I really won.
They like me. They really like me.
And maybe I can finally admit to myself that I'm good at what I do. For once, I deserve to be proud of myself and to let people know that I am.
And maybe...just maybe...I'll make it out there in the big wide world. Maybe I've got that shot; I sure as hell am going to take it. =)
t h e . l u n c h . g r o u p
Not that this is needed, but I thought I'd pass it along lol. I think you'll enjoy it, though he might bristle. No need for you to actually give it to him, Gato, but if the time comes, it's a great quote to toss...
"Deign on the passing world to turn thine eyes/ And pause a while from letters, to be wise" - The Vanity of Human Wishes by Samuel Johnson
I heart you long time!
t h e . l u n c h . g r o u p
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