Day of Silence

Tomorrow is the 15th annual Day of Silence. Sponsored by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, it began in 1996 by one University of Virginia student and has grown to a national event since.

"Gay Day of Silence a Waste of Tax Dollars, Critics Say"

You can read the article at the link above, or I'll summarize my take on the situation below.

It's an anti-bully event with the purpose of raising awareness about the vicious verbal and physical attacks that many gay and lesbian students experience. Class time is excluded from the silent part of the 'Day of Silence', so no change would occur during instructional time.

Some conservative groups are encouraging parents to keep their children out of school that day as a counter-event.

So let me get this right, those parents that oppose an anti-bullying event in which participants don't speak are concerned? It's an odd response to a passive campaign that in no way changes what occurs inside the classroom. If they do remove their children from school for the day their child will miss out on a day of instruction and the schools will not get the funds provided to them based on the number of student days of attendance. Are they concerned that their child will be forced to not talk with someone who is also not talking?

Bobby said, "______________"

" _____________", responded Jane.

And the crickets chirped.

What am I missing in their logic?