Day of Silence + Championship Event

[Zmobie64]

So I'm a big supporter of Gay and Lesbian rights, and I realized that day of silence, a fairly popular silent protest at high schools, is the friday of the championship event. I'm the drive coach, but I'd still like to participate. It won't be possible, because of the importance of this event to me. I'm looking for a compromise, and I'm looking for other people in the same situation as me who would like to participate in both events. I'll be wearing my team t-shirt, but I'm considering an arm band or button with "I shouldn't be speaking today, ask me why" or something along those lines. Anyone got any ideas?

[Zyik]

An armband would probobly be the best idea, as a button at competition won't attract much attention. I'm in the same boat as you, but I hadn't even realised that it was on that Friday. Anyway I can snag an extra armband off you? >.<

[Zmobie64]

Yeah, you definitely can.
I've got some clever ideas for what I might do. I'll make a good bundle of them if there's interest, otherwise I'll just make a few. Talk to your team, see if people might want them.

[Molten]

Originally Posted by Zmobie64

"I shouldn't be speaking today, ask me why"

If someone asks you why, be sure to answer politely. I once had a lady that had something like that and I made the mistake of asking. Not because of the subject matter, but because of the way she responded. She was a lesbian that was proud to be a lesbian. No problem with that. However, the way she went about informing me of gay rights seemed more like she was mad that I asked. In short, don't wear a button that tells people to ask if you don't want them to.

Kind of like a person that has a "free hugs" shirt on that gets mad when you hug them.

[Zmobie64]

Of course.
I like to think I'm a pretty friendly guy, not very in your face.
Anyway, I'm gonna cook some up, and hand them out to the first people who want them.

[AudreyHealy]

Awesome. I'm glad that so many people are interested in participating in this event. I'll be doing it too, just not at nationals. I'll be watching the live webcast though!

[AlexD744]

Can we not make this a huge issue at Championships. I honestly would not like the Championship event to be a place for political arguement, as this is a sore spot for many. If you want to do something small that doesn't cause any arguements (e.g. isn't extremely noticable) I think that would work. I respect your position, but this can be a fiery topic for many and it would be nice if we didn't take those fiery aggresions to the national competition. And should a disareement should arise we allshould keep our gracious professionalism and avoid serious confrontation.

$0.02

p.s. Could we not make that the discussion of this thread or any thread on Chiefdelphi, either. I am not wishing for this post to start any arguements.

[Molten]

I got to agree with Alex to a point. Please don't post pictures of guys making out* on huge posters. That might start something. However, that isn't what was suggested in this thread. As long as you keep it to the pins or something similar, things should be fine.

*I am not making a political statement, just saying it does raise eyebrows and might start cause some uneasiness.

[Katie_UPS]

Hey, this happens again with the next championship. Does anyone plan on doing something similar? How did the armbands end up working out?

[Chris is me]

What Katie said.

I did the Day Of Silence for 5 years before attending the FIRST Championship last year. It'd been a big part of my life until then, and I'd stop at nothing to ensure I did it each year. (For an example, I nearly took a few detentions in middle school when an unsupportive teacher repeatedly called on me after I subtly / politely informed them I wasn't going to speak in class, then the principal overruled) After a brief debate with myself I realized I couldn't do it at all because I was the drive coach and you NEED to talk for that, so I didn't raise much of a fuss. I tried to forget about it so I wouldn't feel bad / worry about it. Now this year came around and as I began to plan for how I'd participate at university, found out the dates line up yet again. This is much more plausible now for me as I won't be on the drive team this year, and it's something I feel is a great way for me to support my friends and family members.

I'm still on the fence about it this year. On one hand, it's bringing an issue into the FIRST Championships that has little to do with science and technology, and some would consider it "political". On the other hand, I've done this event for years not for political reasons, but to stand against hatred and intolerance of people, especially those around me, because of the way they are. The FIRST Championship just happens to be where I'll be on the day set to raise awareness for some of the horrible things people have gone through because of their sexual orientation. To me it's not about any political issues at all. It's not an easy decision to make at all.

Anyone else thinking about 2010 yet? Other than the game we'll be playing at the Championship, of course.

[Molten]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

On the other hand, I've done this event for years not for political reasons, but to stand against hatred and intolerance of people, especially those around me, because of the way they are.

Just a note: This is a political reason. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. Just realize it is a political reason.

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by Molten

Just a note: This is a political reason. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. Just realize it is a political reason.

Not to start an argument, but what's political about hate crime? Like, if my participation in the DoS were to get gay marriage legalized (though I support that cause, that's not why I'm doing the DoS), I could see that point. But the Day of Silence's mission, as stated on their web site:

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 some form of a vow of silence in an effort to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of anti-LGBT behavior. The event is designed to illustrate the silencing effect of this bullying and harassment on LGBT students and those perceived to be LGBT.

(note: not limited to schools, but that's the quickest mission statement i could find)

As I've come from a school and environment where this is a problem for me, my friends, and my family, I feel somewhat compelled to participate. I just thought I'd clear that up since people misinterpret the DoS as purely a gay rights protest, when that's not the intent of the "demonstration"...

The reason I stress that I don't see it politically is that I don't ever want to bring politics into FIRST, and thus I'd see Day of Silence as not in violation of that rule of mine.