Zac Davis hadn't spoken a word since 6 a.m.
With a stern face, he led a silent march along McKinley Avenue Wednesday evening, carrying a tombstone upon which was inscribed, "here lies oppression, heterosexism and hatred. No one is free until we all are free." More than 40 students followed quietly, wearing black T-shirts marked with the word "silent" and holding flowers to finish commemorating the eighth annual National Day of Silence.
The students took a vow not to speak for 12 hours so as to protest the silent fear and discrimination the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community faces on a daily basis. The evening march and closing ceremony, which later signified the "breaking of the silence," also emphasized the need to continue supporting the GLBT community on Ball State's campus, Davis, Spectrum's internal vice president, said.
"It's probably the most liberating thing we've all done," Davis said. "We got people thinking, and that's what it was meant to do."
Spectrum, Ball State's GLBT and allied student association, has sponsored the Day of Silence on campus since April 2002. Initially formed at the University of Virginia in 1996, the National Day of Silence was established to promote safer schools for all students regardless of their sexual orientations, gender identities or gender expressions, according to the organization's Web site.
Wednesday evening, the Ball State students assembled at the University Green before they marched along McKinley Avenue, through the Atrium and toward the Scramble Light, soliciting stares and "thumbs-up" gestures along the way. After they returned to the University Green, the students let out a loud shout as they set their flowers down at the tombstone to signify the death of silence.
Jack Shepler, Spectrum's publicity director, said giving both members of the GLBT community and their straight allies an opportunity to come together and create a stronger voice for themselves was essential.
"There are lots of voices out there that need to be heard," Shepler said. "And every day those voices are hushed by heterosexism in our society."
Anita Brown, Spectrum's president, said the National Day of Silence was one of several activities Spectrum sponsored for its week of events, this year's theme being "We Are Family." She said because gay-rights issues ranging from marriage to adoption have received much media attention throughout the past few months, adopting the family theme this week was only appropriate.
"Since the marriage amendment has become a central issue in this election year and the definition of family has been highly debated alongside the amendment, we wanted to bring these topics into discussion on campus," Brown said.
She said because the GLBT community faces so many prejudices on a regular basis, gaining the confidence to engage in such discussions is vital. Speaking out is the only way to make progress in today's world, she said.
"The longer we remain silent, the longer we aid those who oppress us," she said. "We all need to speak and let our leaders know that we won't be silent anymore."
According to its site, the National Day of Silence has become the largest single-led student action and has reached more than 1,900 middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities throughout the United States. Freshman Brent Ayers said he was glad students were able to come together Wednesday to recognize the National Day of Silence and hopes each gained a renewed appreciation for the struggles the GLBT community has to undergo in order to gain respect in today's world.
"The Day of Silence just showed the number of students who are silenced by fear in our society," Ayers said. "Everyday there are so many words used against gays, and he we just showed how powerful those words can be."
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