Reader comments
Provo schools will not observe 'Day of Silence'

As a gay person, I tend to believe this is just not the way to change attitudes. These things can be kind of silly. I appreciate the students, but I think there are better ways. I could be wrong.

Interesting that Tinker v. Des Moines is cited.

The Supreme court findings explicitly state that a non-disruption is constitutionally protected.

Making students NOT talk all day is a disruption to the educational process.

Whoops! Didn't research that one too well, did ya?

As a regular person, I would love to have a day in which no students spoke for a whole day!

Kevin,

I don't believe this is the way to change attitudes either. Although I believe in self determination in the matter, I don't believe this kind of demonstration belongs in the school. If my children's school decided to go ahead with it, I would not send my child to school that day.

Freedom of expression should not be limited by age. If the participating students would not speak (thus not interrupt or harangue), their actions would not be disruptive. Those who oppose their actions could exercise their right of opposition by ignoring the participants, hence again, no disruption. School officials should not exercise their authority by arbitrary, capricious means.

What if your in music or band, your group is performing. Does that not disrupt the flow of education.
If your asked to go to the board, or asked a question. Does that not disrupt flow of education.
What if you as a protesting student have a question about the given subject of that day. People have to change their schedules to accomadate you.
No, protests are not for high schools,no matter the topic.

Fortunately, freedom of expression is limited by age. Can you imagine what schools would be like if it weren't?

When I ask a student a question, I expect an answer. That's how learning is done. An entire day of silence from a portion of the student body is very disruptive to education.

You know what? Keep all this political crap out of schools. I've already got enough to worry about with NCLB. Don't add this garbage in.

Aren't we supposed to be teaching them it is ok to NOT be silent about their beliefs? Isn't this day really giving the wrong messege, that you should be silent and scared?

The thing I do not understand is that the "school" will not be participating. This implies that the intent was for EVERY student at the school to refrain from talking. If that were the case, thay may as well shut down for a day.

If individual students choose to participate, then that should be allowed. Of course they have the right not to talk for a day. So what.

The part that bothers me is the part about the whole school participating. Why would this even need to be addressed? If they are pressuring schools to force students to participate as a part of the entire school doing it, then that is just wrong.

This should be an individual choice, not forced on every student and not banned for all students.

The event, slated for April 25, was created with the aim of symbolizing how students who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender are forced to keep quiet about their sexual orientation for fear of abuse at school and elsewhere....As I know, many bisexuals or gays hide their sexual orientation. Some of them may choose some online service like the one BiMatching to come out.

Well, if this is "Day of Silence" is just an expression of acceptance to everyone and their various beliefs, and if it is true that students have "Rights" because of the whole black arm band thing and the Vietnam War..Then let's have a day of prayer in schools...or perhaps we could encourage the students who want to, to pray out loud everyday, or don't the students have "rights? Or perhaps we could have a day of "silence" to show compassion to the students who don't have sex, drink, smoke, cheat, and actually get good grades and because of it, they are made fun of or teased or put down. Because don't they have rights too? And while we're at it let's have lemonade in all of the drinking fountains and jelly beans in every locker, and instead of homework, teachers could handout lollipops! Let's allow children to bring guns and knives to school. Let's throw out all of the rules so that we don't take away students "Rights" cause that would be bad. These "people" making laws or worried about rights, have to allow it ALL or accept NONE of it.

So if Gay students or their friends and supporters observe the Day of Silence, will they be punished for refusing to speak? So much for freedom of speech ... or in this case, freedom NOT to speak.

Let's make everybody in school including the atheists, Jews and Muslims pray to our lord Jesus
Christ while wearing gender appropriate clothing (NO trous for girls,) black armbands and duct tape with the word 'conformity' on it over their mouths.

Schools in Provo School District do not sponsor or host protests. However, we do honor Constitutionaly protected speech rights of students, and respect the diversity of the students we serve. PSD Administration

Every ten minutes a child is born, 1/2500, in which the doctor cannot determine the sex, or gender. This is not talking about homosexuality, but tragically a congenital condition of birth which can be caused by endocrine agents and chemicals. These children are Intersex; they are born into a life of not male or female. Likewise in similar fashion the Transsexual is identified with a Bioneurological congenital condition, and they too are locked into something not quite so clearly defined as male, or female. The best we can do is live as close to what we seem to believe we are. That may preclude the wants, and often ignorant and bigoted beliefs of others.

Any school that allows a "Day of Silence" should allow viewpoint equality. Perhaps a student assemble showing the "I Do Exist" film or speakers from "Love Won Out", which is about people who leave homosexuality.

This is new to me that homosexual people are quiet about it. My children always know which of their friends are gay or lesbian. I don't believe it is common to be "in the closet" any more. That was way back in the olden days. Kids now are very open...sometimes too open. No I don't think we need a "day of Silence". I would support a day of kindess, requirements would be kind to all, not based on race, sex, sexual preference, or religion.

I applaude the princlepal at Pravo highschool.

An oxymoron if you ask me. Keeping silent while trying to break the silence on this issue??? Schools should not be USED for political demonstrations anyway, no matter how 'peaceful'. I'm tired of this whole thing anyway, combined with 'hate crimes'.... All we really need is 1 law stating that any person should not be harassed, harmed, etc.... Doesn't that already exist? And the reason should be because we are people! Not because we are gay, or old, or pregnant, or handicapped, or female, or black, or whatever....

The Gay and Lesbian folks are the loudest voices in the country, how about they give the rest of us a break and just be silent themselves. I am sick of hearing about their "plight." Find a real problem out there and put your annoying, cheesy antics up in support of that. These cheap tricks and ploys just make you look pathetic.