Free Speech at School
Apr 23 05 | 10:30 pm
or, “Bump!”
I repost my entry from last week regarding the incident at the high school, with the hope that more discussion continues, especially in the light of the recent developments. One recent development is that two organizations have stepped forward willing to back the kids in legal action against the school (I would guess, but am not sure, that one of the organizations is the ACLU). The JI article this was mentioned in is not online. The other development is similar free-speech denial taking place in New Britain following a rant posted to a livejournal. The article on that is here.
Further commentary about the specific inccidents that occured last week should go in the post about last week here.
Discussion about free speech in schools in general should go here.
I support the first amendment in schools. Pupils do NOT shed their rights at the schoolhouse doors. The administration put up with that giant walkout by a bunch of peaceniks when war was declared on Iraq, and they should be able to deal with a couple of kids who were NOT disturbing anyone silently stating their views on a relevant and significant issue currently being debated in the state. If we can hear from the minority, we can certainly hear from the majority. I say they should sue.
Comment by mormonangel — Apr 24 05 | 9:38 am
Wait; there was a walkout? Aren’t those specifically banned by the Bobcat?
Comment by civman2 — Apr 24 05 | 5:53 pm
0 …
Comment by civman2 — Apr 24 05 | 7:17 pm
I know, but the administration still sat down and talked with the students involved about their “concerns” (As if they could do *anything* about the war in Iraq), and no one was punished. Hmmmmmmmm. I also love how the papers say that the students were removed from school but “no disciplinary action was taken.” Wait, being removed from school doesn’t constitute disciplinary action? Oooookay.
Comment by mormonangel — Apr 25 05 | 8:35 am
Apparently, they had the choice of either removing the shirts, or leaving school. So they weren’t forced to leave. I expect that no disciplinary action means no suspension or detension.
Comment by cobalt — Apr 25 05 | 10:53 pm
The administration does not discipline every single person who breaks every single rule. Take the dress code. We’ve been complaining bitterly that that is unequally enforced for eons. Is unequal enforcement of the dress code unconstitutional? Probably not. Now, if these anti-gay marriage individuals had walked out and then been expelled, then you might have had something.
And by the way, it’s a given that we do “check our rights at the door.” For example, Ms. Mormon, I remember that we once had a conversation where you thought it was perfectly legitimate to ban dying our hair “unnatural” colors cuz that’s “distracting.” Schools have the right to force us to wear uniforms. Schools have the right to ban verbal obscenities and to ban us from wearing shirts with obscenities, graphic images, or otherwise offensive material. Adam and Steve is offensive. Find an inoffensive way to get your message out.
Comment by milkshakemaiden — Apr 26 05 | 9:21 am
Find an inoffensive way to get your message out.
“Marriage is between a Man and a Woman” is any less offensive to the people who found offense with Adam and Steve?
Comment by civman2 — Apr 27 05 | 2:30 am