For the past couple of years, a new light on the issue of bullying has been spread all across the country. Moorpark College Spectrum club has taken notice.
On Monday, Oct 22, the Moorpark College Spectrum (Gay- Straight Alliance) observed Spirit Day on campus by setting up a table in front of the Campus Center. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., they sold purple wristbands, gave out purple candy, and talked to students about the anti-bullying Spirit Day and their on campus club.
Benny Smith, the president of the Moorpark College Spectrum, wants Moorpark students to be aware of Spirit Day and what it celebrates.
“It’s a day to raise awareness of teen suicide and stand up against bullying,” said Smith.
Spirit Day, which was actually on October 20, was first created by a teenage Canadian blogger named Brittany McMillan in 2010. She began the observance of this holiday as a response to the rise of bullying-related suicides of gay teenagers. That year, celebrities like Ryan Seacrest, Khloe Kardashian, and Ellen DeGeneres wore the color purple to celebrate Spirit Day, and the general public later caught on.
The reason purple is the color of Spirit Day is because its name came from the purple stripe on the signature Rainbow Flag designed by Gilbert Baker. On the flag, the color represents “spirit.” Purple was the color of the wristbands the Spectrum sold for $3. On these bracelets was a quote from politician Harvey Milk, “Hope Will Never Be Silent.” Smith explained Harvey Milk and his philosophy.
“He was a politician in the 1970s,” Smith said. “[He was the first] openly gay politician.”
Spirit Day was a great opportunity for the Spectrum to spread its message of unity amongst Moorpark’s LBGTQQIAA (Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender, Questioning, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and Ally) students, as Nancy Khzam, the club’s ambassador, explains.
“[Spirit Day] just means celebrating who you are,” Khzam said. “It means support, confidence, [and] pride.”
Moorpark students stopped by the table all throughout the day. They all seem to have a positive response, as Khzam also explains.
“A lot of people aren’t aware that it’s Spirit Day, but they’re supporting the cause,” said Khzam.
She also urges students to not let Spirit Day end on just that day, they should continue to get involved and celebrate its cause.
“The best way to raise awareness is to spread the word by word of mouth,” said Khzam.
For more information about Spirit Day, visit the GLAAD website at http://www.glaad.org/spiritday. The Moorpark College Spectrum meets on the second Tuesday and the fourth Wednesday of every month in HSS-140. For more information about the club, visit their website at http://www.mcspectrum.com.
