Spirit Day :: 20 Oct 2010

October 20, GLAAD and the Spirit Day Facebook group are asking you to wear purple. Spirit Day was created to honor LGBT youth who feel that life is not worth living due to the hate, bullying, and cruelty they face daily. The group was started because of the many suicides we've had recently that were caused by bullying and hate. While wearing purple is meant for ending bullying of LGBT youth, it really should represent putting an end to all hate crimes. This is not limited to just homosexuality. Why should you wear purple, you ask? According to Kevin Paul at The McGill Daily, there isn't a good reason. Apparently, wearing purple will do nothing but make teenagers feel special for a day and not actually fight homophobia. That is not necessarily true. Here are the reasons why you should wear purple on October 20:

*Wear purple to show support

Do not hide your feelings about hate crimes. Wear purple proudly when you are out on the streets. Show the world, even your small corner of it, that there are people ready to fight against hate crimes. All hate crimes. In today's technological society, news travels fast, and even the smallest difference can spread like wildfire and become a life-changing difference.

Purple could possibly become a symbol. We all know the effect that symbols have on society. We happily pay for overpriced shoes with the Nike swoosh, and believe they will help us, not only look cool, but play better sports. We travel to NYC to see the statue of liberty and thank her for all she's done. We wear pink ribbons. Yes, pink has become a huge symbol, and a life-changing one. What started out as a small campaign to raise awareness of breast cancer has become a global fight that is succeeding at its goal.

*Wear purple to honor those we've lost

Yellow ribbons are another perfect color symbol example. Tie that yellow ribbon to your tree, and support your troops. This tradition is not a new one, at all. People have been using yellow ribbons for many wars. The tradition has flourished, and many groups(carrying that yellow banner) have fought hard to achieve what they believe in.

Let's do the same with purple. Wear purple in honor of those who couldn't handle the pain. Remember them, and show others that you remember. Talk to someone, a stranger on the street that is also wearing purple and learn his or her story. Hear why purple is so important to him. Just make sure they are wearing purple for a cause.

(In this regard, wearing purple with something extra might be a good idea. Perhaps next year, we can wear purple with a paper star safety-pinned over our heart. It will set us apart more easily.)

This brings us back to Kevin Paul, and his opinion that wearing purple does nothing. To him, holding a candle vigil is more productive. It allows people to gather to grieve together and honor the dead. Which it does, but how does standing around playing with fire bring about "real change?" It doesn't. For that matter, neither does wearing purple. Change comes when that gathered group, whether holding candles or wearing purple, decides to actually pursue change. With a large enough group, people become braver and more determined because they feel they have someone else backing them up.

*Wear purple to make others see they are not alone.

Will seeing a news report about a giant ocean of purple people going to make one person move away from that ledge? The answer is unknown. What we do know is that when someone feels less alone, for even a brief moment, life continues to be worth living. All we need is that moment to keep them going. A sea of purple people just might be that proof someone needs to show them that they are not alone. Even just one is worth it.

*Wear purple as a beginning to the end of hate.

We need to get enough people to believe that together, and with a good fight, we can do something. If wearing purple will do that, then it's worth trying. Just wearing a purple shirt will not end suicide and hate, but it might if we try hard enough to start the ball rolling. We have to start somewhere. Why not start with style?

Never doubt a meager beginning.

by: Marilla Mulwane frOm: www.helio.com