It's been a hell of a week. I have ties to both Boston and West, Texas, so it's also been a bit personal. My heart goes out to both communities and the whole country.
But in all of this madness, some good goes on. I'd count the Day of Silence among the good.
My daughter is participating in the Day of Silence. She is sacrificing other events today in order to honor LGBT victims of bullying and harassment. I'm very proud of her. From the Day of Silence website:
What is the Day of Silence?
The Day of Silence is a student-led national event that brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. Students from middle school to college take a vow of silence in an effort to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of anti-LGBT behavior by illustrating the silencing effect of bullying and harassment on LGBT students and those perceived to be LGBT.
From what I can tell, her school is supportive of the students involved. She will wear a card around her neck letting everyone know why she isn't speaking. During class times that she does have to speak, she turns the card over so as not to disrupt class.
She's very young and it makes me proud that she is already light years ahead of many of her elders in her perspective on the world and the suffering of others.