A three-judge panel decided in the case that a school that "permits advocacy of the rights of homosexual students cannot be allowed to stifle criticism of homosexuality." The judges went on to say the school hadn't proved that the shirt caused a substantial disruption and that the words on the shirt weren't "fighting words."
I thought the ruling on this case was ridiculous. I think schools, especially public high schools, should be held to a different standard. I know from my experience that my schools would always tell me what was appropriate to wear or not to wear and that's what I went along with. I would often wear "Dr. McGillicuddy's", the schnapps maker, attire because it was my last name and its delicious and I would get told to turn it inside out. Now that is just a shirt with an alcohol brand on it, these students are going out of their way to make a statement. Outside of school they can wear whatever shirt they like but inside of a high school, especially with the problems we have with violence in schools, there should be rules.
I also don't see how the school couldn't point to their rules of conduct or the student handbook to make the wearing of offensive attire against the rules. I have a feeling the school would act differently if a student wore a "Be White, Not Black" shirt the day after Martin Luther King day. Would the ruling be the same since its not "fighting words" and a school that "permits advocacy of the rights of black students cannot be allowed to stifle criticism of black students."I might be going a little to far with that example but I think it makes my point. I just feel what should be allowed in school should be different then what is allowed outside of school. If you have a differing opinion please let me know.
Bobby McFerrin wants everyone to happy
I think you are totally right Kevin. I agree completely that the schools have a legitimate interest in what people can and cannot wear to school. In reality there are just some instances where you are not able to freely express yourself because there is an interest as a whole that outrides the interest of an individual person. Take for instance your right to carry a gun…many places have signs which do not allow guns on their premises and that is there prerogative. In addition, with all the school controversy over the UND nickname, a kick dressed up as an Indian (part of the YMCA group) for Halloween almost was not allowed into the game. Although, I realize that school is something that we all have to attend whereas we have the choice to go into buildings that restrict guns on the premises and such, there is still legitimate reasons to not allow students to wear anything they possibly want to school. It is in school that we are supposed to develop skill to be an upstanding citizen and letting kids wear shirts with marijuana symbols or alcohol on them sends the message that the school is condoning this behavior. Also, nice graphics to add to your blog.
ReplyDeleteI also agree. Schools should be upheld to a higher standard. Something as simple as a shirt can always start a fight. Outside the school, I am fine with whatever that girl wants to wear, even if I disagree with it. In my high school, for example, there was always the school's homecoming shirts and there was the underground homecoming shirts that the school would not allowed in the building. These shirts were drug related or depending on the team we were playing could be racist as well. Anyone caught with the shirts at school was suspended. I believe that schools tshould be allow to not allow these shirts or other questionable clothing.
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