Day of Silence

There is an event that is held normally in April, but for the sake of getting the experience, it has been moved to Tuesday, March 23: The Day of Silence.

I searched my life to find the proper memories, the right scars and mechanisms to connect to this day. I know that there are people out in the world who cannot say anything in fear of being brutally attacked and murdered for being gay. This isn’t even for those who stay quiet in other countries where homosexuality is illegal. There are many reports in Canada where people are bashed for being gay. I wish I wasn’t, but I myself lived in silence and fear because I was told that my parents wouldn’t accept a gay child. That my mom wouldn’t be able to handle it. Well, I can happily say that they were wrong. My mom died knowing who I am, and accepted it. I don’t know how many people have been disowned by their family, and I feel for them, to hold onto that kind of fear of being rejected. I doubt I will fully understand, but I can tell you I remember the fear of being beaten for being gay. Could I ever describe the pain of the bruises on my face and body? The assault was done by someone close to me, and it still haunts me. I tried to call for help, but the police never showed. I guess in my case I was lucky that my mom came to help me. I couldn’t feel safe in my home after that. Sleep at nights was hard to come by and trying to hide bruises was harder. To avoid friends who asked “what happened?”

What happened was that I had my fears realized. And I kept quiet about it. Who can accept a fag for a sibling? For a classmate? A friend? High school was a long four years. When I came to Brandon University, I had to take time to break down the walls I built up. Through heartbreak and fear, I have to learn to open up to the world. Not just for me, but for those who can’t. I’m thankful that I won’t wake up tomorrow fearing that if I get caught my government will execute me. There are many things that are in my prayers when I light my sweetgrass. Those who are forced to be quiet will be in mine when I light it on March 23rd. This here is an invitation for the readers to join us in being silent for the day and join us for our celebration of a games night where we will meet to share the experience of not being able to speak for the day. The Games Night will be in the Elephant Room beginning at 7PM.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent to things that matter”

-Martin Luther King Jr.