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April 22, 2010 Opinion |
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—Editorial—
Day Of Silence Sparks Discussion
We have watched with interest the events that have transpired at the Baker High School last week when the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) club participated in a National Day of Silence. We heard name-calling, received complaints that sexuality shouldn't be discussed in schools, heard that parents kept their kids out of school, and we were told by both students and staff that posters publicizing the event at the school were torn down by those opposing what they called a "Gay Day."
We were appalled at what we were hearing, which is basically that the GSA club was not being allowed to hold their Day of Silence without a lot of opposition, bullying and harassment from other students. But, we were even more appalled when we sent a reporter to cover a GSA meeting at the school Tuesday, and after the meeting several students overheard at least one GSA member calling our reporter crude names that were sexual in nature.
We were also told that at least one teacher had the entire class remain silent in support of the April 16 Day of Silence, enlisting students in the protest who did not wish to participate.
The National Day of Silence was founded to bring attention to anti-LOBG (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools, and create a safer environment for students regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
Are we missing something here?
Why would some students promoting a day of tolerance for other people’s lifestyles and beliefs trash our reporter for no apparent reason? Isn’t that the opposite of the very behavior they are protesting? (Please note, we do realize not all of the GSA students were a party to this and we are not condemning the entire club for the actions of a few, and we think this club does have merit, but unfortunately it is often the actions of a few who make the biggest impact.)
And why would some teachers insist students participate in something they don’t believe in? Isn’t tolerance about allowing someone believe and act differently than you do?
It’s not unreasonable to ask someone to have tolerance for something you desire to do, but to insist someone conform to and participate in your choices is wrong. Students are not required to celebrate religious holidays that are against their beliefs, so why would they have to participate in the Day of Silence if they did not agree with the impetus behind it?
Although, having said that, we don’t fully understand why anyone would not want to participate in an effort to put an end to bullying, name calling and harassment. Our guess is it’s the “G” word that tripped some students up. Since they didn’t believe in the Gay lifestyle, they didn’t want to condone a day that seemed to support it.
And we think that is where this Day went awry and became so controversial. Why not have a day of silence for any type of bullying, name-calling and harassment, whether it be for reasons of racial, religious or sexual orientation differences? Why should there be different groups promoting different days to counter this type of behavior? It’s all the same, it’s all ugly and distasteful. We would like to see a day of silence promoting tolerance for everyone, not just a select group.
In our minds, this day of silence should not be about whether or not you support homosexuality; it's about whether or not you have tolerance for everyone’s beliefs and lifestyles that differ from your own. And it seems in this situation there was plenty of intolerance to go around on both sides of the issue.
—Letters To The Editor—
GSA Students Ask For Tolerance
To The Record-Courier:
The Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) met with intense opposition from our classmates and their parents. Some parents chose to keep their kids home from school because of the rumor that we were having a “Gay Day.” They didn’t even stop to ask and find out that we were trying to educate while participating in a silent protest. The purpose and goal of the National Day of Silence is to bring awareness to the bullying that takes place on school campuses across the nation. I participated in this day of silence to make a statement. Bullying is wrong, for any reason. There were originally 75 students that supported the GSA and due to serious peer pressure, our group is now much smaller.
I don’t think that the administrators realize that 90 percent of the bullying and harassment take place in the few minutes during passing period. The teachers don’t hear the comments we hear as we walk past other students who oppose the GSA and its members. It is sometimes done in a discreet enough way so that no one else hears or notices. Other times, it is blatant, like the tearing down or our posters promoting the National Day of Silence. Some students even tore them up in the hallways and left the pieces of paper on the floor. I counted eight posters that were removed from my personal locker and only a few others were left up by Friday. As fast as we put them up, other students took them down. By Thursday, our Vice Principal told us to not put any more up. I guess she thought that the point had already been made and it would just fuel the fire. Other clubs were not told to stop putting posters up.
I don’t care if you absolutely hate homosexuals and the like. What we are asking for is tolerance. You don’t see me tearing down posters about religion, other clubs or things that I may find offensive because I am tolerant of others beliefs. I may not agree, but I respect their views enough to leave them alone.
I read an article about an 11 year old boy who hung himself because of the anti-gay bullying that he endured at school. That is unacceptable! My goal is to show others what it is like to have compassion, understanding, tolerance, acceptance and respect. I will continue to make a peaceful, non-violent stand on this issue. Thankfully, I have my parent’s complete support but there are so many that have no support at all. I remained silent on Friday for them….
Aryel Fahrney
Member of the Gay-Straight Alliance
Senior, Baker High School
At War With Corrupt Politicians Who Want To Destroy Our Freedom
To The Record-Courier:
First I would like to thank everyone who showed up at the Tea Party here in Baker. It showed we the people can come together when our country is in trouble! I know there are still some die hards who won’t believe until what is coming happens to them personally. Too bad, it’s too late then! I’ve talked to people who say, like me, it’s the first time they have become interested and aware of what is happening to this great country and they are mad as hell.
I wrote a letter awhile back on the short line between citizen to subject. Believe me folks, with Obama and the current left wing Democrat administration, we are becoming closer every day. How can I say this? Check out the policies and new laws for yourself, the health care is just one of many new policies coming out, and it’s bad enough by itself. You buy or the feds come knocking on your door, have your tax return held up or they put you through the tax audit. Obama said we should be thanking him for tax cuts while at the same time he’s promoting a fair tax that hits us all poor and rich in most areas of our survival, food, clothing, transportation, utilities and so on. If the government needs more money for whatever they want, just raise the tax. Some say, “We should pay more for gas when it’s possibly going up another 15 cents on top of what it is now. You must not drive much! Let’s limit all politicians to a half tank of fuel in their jets.
I also wrote about a Russian leader some time back, who made a statement that the United States would fall from the inside by corrupt government and stupid people who don’t care or are afraid to fight for their Constitutional rights. Two books to read that are very informative: Glenn Becks, “Common Sense” and “Arguing with Idiots.” Now we have liberal representatives and judges who make laws instead of enforcing laws already on the books.
I think we as Americans are facing similar fights that the founding fathers saw coming. I think they would turn over in their graves if they could see how easy some of us are willing to give our freedom up. Where does government power and take over stop? We the people are the only brakes and it’s to our dismay if we don’t use them. Do I think violence is the way? No! The government and the anti-Tea Party would love to see that happen, so it would discredit all again.
Make no mistake, we are at war with corrupt politicians, leaders, and people who seem to want to destroy the freedom of this country and those who dare to speak out. Even God and the Christian faith is under attack by idiots who do not realize that this is the root and the very foundation of this country and the freedom we all enjoy. Remember election time, vote the enemy out.
Richard Fox
Baker City
Proud Of GSA Members for Standing Up For What Is Right
To The Record-Courier
The Gay-Straight Alliance Club (GSA) at Baker High School exists to give students a safe place, a feeling of acceptance and understanding that they may not feel at home or among their peers. The GSA hung fliers throughout the school, (with permission) promoting the National Day of Silence on April 16. Most of the fliers were torn down by Thursday. Rather than ask questions about this event, some chose to tear up fliers and say discriminating remarks to GSA members.
Apparently there is an opposing group on campus called SAFE, which stands for Students Against Faggots Everywhere. Because no one has come forward naming the students that are a part of SAFE, the administration has done nothing. My daughter and several of her friends are members of GSA and I am incredibly proud of all of them for choosing to stand up for what is right and to educate the ignorant about compassion and tolerance. They have never said that they demand acceptance of homosexuality, they have only requested fairness, equality and tolerance.
In a small town, with conservative values, I am sure to offend someone and lose a few friends, but I am only doing what any loving parent should do: support and love my daughter, no matter what. She participated in the National Day of Silence for all the right reasons and I hope that her actions are an example to others.
Marna Fahrney
Baker City
Tax Day Tea Party
To The Record-Courier:
Americans for Prosperity-AFP- wants to thank all of the people who came to our TAX DAY TEA PARTY in the park and those behind the scenes to make this event a success. You were awesome, about 300 patriots of all ages. The courtesy and respect shown to the speakers was greatly appreciated. Your support made this event memorable for us all. You even cleaned up the park when we were through with the party.
A special thanks to our guest speaker Richard Burke from AFP Headquarters and to Marilyn’s Music for the use of their sound system, and Baker City for the use of the park.
Our Baker City Chapter of AFP meets every second Thursday of the month from 6:30-8 p.m. at El Erradero to plan events and actions to advance governmental fiscal responsibility. We are non-partisan.
We hope to see you again on the 4th of July-or before!
Peggie Longwell
Baker City, Ore.
First Amendment Guarantees Freedom Of Speech
To The Record-Courier:
I am writing in support of the teens at Baker High and their supporters who participated in the Day Of Silence last week. This was an activity to draw attention to the plight of those students who follow an alternative lifestyle and experience discrimination.
I respect the students who had the courage to peacefully exercise their rights and support the freedom of others to live without fear or discrimination for being 'different'. Whether or not one subscribes to this lifestyle is not important, what matters is that freedom of speech is guaranteed by the First Amendment. It is much cherished in theory, but unfortunately not much in practice. These students had the courage to stand on their rights and show us all that young folk in Baker still cherish freedom for all.
Sunny Werner
Baker City
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