MISSION STATEMENT

SILENT VOICES SPEAK started out as Silent Voices: A Writer’s Workshop, as the first group at the drop-in center at the Broadway location of Community Counseling Centers of Chicago, whose purpose is to empower it’s attendees to form and attend their own groups.

We have branched out as an independent entity. We are silent no more. We say yes to the creative possibilities of life & art...

The mission of SILENT VOICES SPEAK is to give a voice to people who are disenfranchised. Many of the participants in SILENT VOICES SPEAK are also visual and/or performing artists.

Membership is open to all.
Send submissions to lizhipwell@gmail.com.

Friday, June 15, 2012

SILENCED by Therese Staples Burton

I begged for more information.
I hungered for more knowledge.
The class around me laughed and groaned.
Sensations of shame flashed through me.
Humiliation kept me silent.
Still I hungered for more.

 I asked a question with a need to know.
My teacher begged forgiveness.
I answered my own question, was my understanding correct?
Why don't you teach the class!? 
They sneered as the teacher flushed red.
Humiliation kept me silent.
Still I hungered for more.

 I answered the question with proper terminology.
The instructor looked lost and confused.
She asked another, who gave a simple answer.
Her reply brought approval, mine, nervous laughter.
Inside I felt the familiar pain.
Humiliation kept me silent.
Still I hunger for more.
-Image & Words by Therese
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