Last year was the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of a Child, and the first year I took part of the Vow of Silence. I was very stoked about this silent protest, I made a YouTube video, I posted pictures on my Facebook account to blitz my friends with. I thought I was prepared.
Here was an email I sent to one of the coordinators of the event after my day of silence:
As I was sitting in my lecture today, we were discussing different views of morality. I had formed an opinion. I wanted to state my opinion. But I couldn’t. I was under my vow. After taking a look at the situation, I got it. I understood - this is what it’s about! This is what MILLIONS of children around the world have to deal with day after day. They know education can break the cycle of poverty, they know a better world exists where their voices and opinions can matter. My experience was on a much smaller scale, but I was held back by the tape on my mouth and my promise to myself that I wouldn’t break it. It gave me that extra boost that, hey! I’m on the right track.
This opened my eyes. Our voices are so important and I, and many (most) others, take it for granted when we can speak all day, every day. We can sing along to music. We can text our friends to meet us or update our Twitter statuses. Wow, it was such an experience!
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November 19th, Ottawa will be a Silent City. It's time that our voices ring clear, that our promises be upheld, that Naomi in Kenya and Ragu in India get the most out of life.
