My Friend's First Amendment Rights Were Violated.

[Kurgan]

te27ch, and others:

 

Reminds me of the stupid rules at my sister's high school.

 

One teacher "confiscated" her cell phone for 3 days (it was on the weekend) because it rang during class (she forgot to turn off the ringer). Supposedly the rule also included if somebody heard the ring in the hall or even coming from your locker (they could open the locker and confiscate the phone).

 

Talk about stupid, is the phone the school's property? No. Who paid for the phone and the service? Her parents, that's who! Mom & Dad didn't want to make a stink about it so I let it go, but talk about dumb.

 

High Schools also get their newspapers censored ("prior restraint") and they can search your lockers anytime for any reason. These are all legal precedents.

 

Another rule they had was about underage drinking/drug use. Obviously you weren't allowed to do that stuff on school grounds or at school functions, fine, sounds reasonable for underage kids. The people who could smoke (18 years old) would be driving out of the parking lot with a cig in their mouth, but nobody put a stop to that.

 

But if the administration found out you were at a "party" (totally off school grounds, not school activity) where drugs and/or alcohol were being used, regardless of if you yourself were doing any, YOU could also be punished. Guilt by association! That's totally stupid. So the moral of the story is, don't go to parties, just in case somebody there MIGHT be doing something that the school disapproves of. Does that mean if my parents have a party and my dad has a beer that I get in trouble if anybody finds out? Sheesh.

 

Yeah, as far as freedom is concerned, HS sucks, it's like being in another country almost...

 

*The Time Traveler looks at his watch, well, my work here is done friends, see you tomorrow with your statements that I responded to. Until then folks!

 

Zips away in his time machine*

[SkinWalker]

The exercise of such rights, however, must be conducted in a manner that does not disrupt the educational process. [...] The use of profanity or obscene language in school, upon school grounds, on school buses, or during activites sponsored by the school shall not be tolerated.

 

I live in a city where we all se habla Espanol. I think it would be clear to all that it was a violation of school rules as you posted above. "Use of profanity" can inlcude printed profanity.

 

I have a low tolerance for obsence or insulting T-shirts and bumperstickers that refer to people as "dumbass" or say "call 1800-eat-sh**" and stuff like that. Perhaps its because I have a small child now... maybe I'm just too old for that crap...

 

Anyway, your friend's civil liberties are intact... Freedom of speech doesn't include being free to insult, even though the point of the T-shirt was to be funny. But the Spanish word "pendjo" is quite offensive, more so than "dumbass," so it carries a slightly different meaning when using it as a direct insult.

[Acrylic]

Originally posted by InsaneSith

It was the bush shirt that says "not MY president." with a picture of Bush next to it. They told me I was not allowed to wear a shirt like that and if I was to wear it again I'd be suspended again.

 

Datheus, noone cares about a stoner like me's rights.

 

No. Of course they do. This is why society is crumbling like this. All the conservative radical principals get all pissed when people wear stuff like that. Its horrible. Thing is, its not profane, doesn't have swearing, nothing.

 

It shows your beliwfs, and if I'm not mistaken, it's alright to show your beliefs in school.

[SeleneRayne]

My old school sucks balls due to there dress code.

 

You were not allowed to wear concert t-shirts, why i have no ****ing clue, but it's bull****. My friend got sent home for wearing a KoRn t-shirt. How stupid. And it had nothing offensive on it, it just said KoRn spelled out in bones.

 

My other friend got sent home for wearing a Godsmack t-shirt, and they gave him the option to change shirts, or go home. He chose to go home. CLEVER BOY.

 

And you couldn't wear colored shoelaces, SHOELACES!!!

I had red ones in my sophmore year, that came with my shoes. I was told to take them out and not wear them. I wasn't about to buy shoelaces that I didn't need bacause my school is retarted, funny thing was my mom felt the same way.

[te27ch]

Hi folks.

 

My story starts with my friend, I'll call him D. He's frickin awesome l33t, originally from Mexico, and can speak spanish very well. Occasionaly, he goes back to Mexico, maybe for a month in the summer, and even returns with gifts for people.

 

He bought himself a T-shirt there, too.

Here is D's english translation of the original spanish T-shirt:

 

FRONT: In case of fire, read back.

BACK: I said in case of fire, dumbass.

 

That's it.

 

On the first day of school, he wore that shirt. No one really noticed, if they did, they didn't care. Well, one spanish teacher did, though. He/She contacted the office, and D received a small note telling him to come down to the office, about his shirt. I know, because I was in the same class with him when he received it.

 

After about 20 minutes, he returned with a different shirt on. D explained that he was told to change it, and that he couldnt go home to change because his parents were gone. Luckily, he had a spare shirt in his PE locker.

 

This above violation neither he nor I protest. The school rules say you can't have a shirt with swearing on it, and that is that.

 

Here is the problem:

 

That night, there was a football game. As with most small towns, a football game is an important event, with a good percentage of the population attending. I was playing in the band, and I was really not sure if D was going to come or not.

 

At half-time, I went and milled about with my friends. I was shocked when I could see D, wearing his imfamous T-shirt, apparently arguing with a non-uniformed police officer, who actually was the same resource officer at our school that might've ordered him to change shirts.

 

Here is the only bits that I could get from the argument:

 

Cop: Something something something.

D: OH yeah? Do you see me leaving? I think I'm leaving! What do you think you see?

Cop: Yeah

D: Alright, fine! I'm leaving! *turns and leaves*

 

That just set me off. Not enough to talk with the police officer, of course. Later, I went with my friends to talk with some of the more "open-minded" teachers at our school, who were at the game. They remarked about how repressive society was getting, etc.

 

Now, I want to fight for D. Not so he can wear the shirt at school, but MOST CERTAINLY so he can wear it at a football game.

--------------------------

Here are supporting facts:

 

D paid to get in, $3 I think, and if not, that was covered by the activity fee, which he also paid for.

 

Here are some relevant bits from our Student Handbooks:

 

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION - Students are protected in the exercise of their First Amendment Rights at AFHS. The exercise of such rights, however, must be conducted in a manner that does not disrupt the educational process. American Falls High School will not tolerate any remarks, graffiti, clothing, or action that degrades any nationality or culture.

 

This only talks about the school itself, not the football field, which is a mile away, nor ANY school-sponsored activites. Just the school. Personally, I think the only "culture" his shirt would offend are dumbasses, or pendejos or whatever.

 

DRESS CODE GUIDELINES: ...Clothing or jewelry displaying words or pictures that represent alcohol, tobacco, drugs, gangs, weapons, vulgarity or a topic that would be inflammatory or offensive is not permitted.

 

Once again, this says nothing about school-sponsored activites at all, It doesn't even specify anything as to what locations this "dress code" is applicable to.

 

PROFANE LANGUAGE: The use of profanity or obscene language in school, upon school grounds, on school buses, or during activites sponsored by the school shall not be tolerated. Students who abuse this regulation will be disciplined by the administration.

 

Ahh! Finally! Something about activities! Too bad though, Big Brother, because this is profane LANGUAGE. D was not cussing his head off. Not one bit. Also, note the bit about the "administration". The student handbook says this:

 

RESOURCES Mr. F___ H____......Resource Officer

 

NOWHERE in our handbooks does it even LIST the "administration". If ANYONE were to punish him, that person would be on the non-existant "ADMINISTRATION" list, not the pitiful "RESOURCES" list.

 

-------------------------------

That's all I have for now, but I really want to fight for his rights. I would like any help, support, or ANYTHING that would help.

[IG-64]

Sure it sucks but why doesn't he just wear diffrent shirt around school? I don't see what the big deal is about just changing shirts over arguing for amendment rights and all that crap.

[ZBomber]

Was this football game a school event? If it was public, I guess it would be fine, but if it was your school, and the teachers told him not to wear it, he was pushing his luck.

[Breton]

So there are actually rules against what you are allowed to wear? Land of the free, indeed.

 

Police state!

 

But I guess most "civilized" countries have such oppressive rules that no one notices.

[El Sitherino]

that's nothing. I wore an anti-bush shirt, I was suspended for 3 days, and was escorted out of school by 3 police officers.

 

*dittos breton's post*

[IG-64]

Originally posted by InsaneSith

that's nothing. I wore an anti-bush shirt, I was suspended for 3 days, and was escorted out of school by 3 police officers.

 

*dittos breton's post*

 

Thats dumb, even tho i'm pro-Bush, thats still dumb.

 

 

Well, it depends on what was on the shirt but I doubt it had anything too offensive on it.

 

 

InsaneSith's post was brought to you by the letter 3.

[RpTheHotrod]

You gotta remember though....land of the free...yes, but it isn't 100% free

 

 

Try walking around your highschools with a pro-nazi shirt on and see how long you survive.

[Darth Groovy]

Originally posted by InsaneSith

that's nothing. I wore an anti-bush shirt, I was suspended for 3 days, and was escorted out of school by 3 police officers.

 

*dittos breton's post*

 

Now see, that THERE is total bull****. It is things like these that make me mighty glad I am not in HS anymore. I suppose if I wrote a paper on why I think GW is the worst president our country ever had, I would get the same treatment?!

 

I can't tell you how BAD I wanted to where my Jane's Addiction "Ritual De Lo Habitual" T-shirt, with the original album cover painting, in all of it's uncensored glory... to HS my last day.

 

Fear of not graduating was the thing that prevented me from doing what I did. I DID however where a pair of my favorite black canvas converse Chuck Taylor sneakers on my last day. A mild protest....but a protest all the same.

 

 

te27ch, tell your buddy to take it with a grain of salt and forget about it. The one relief that can keep you going, is knowing that HS is not forever.

[Datheus]

Originally posted by InsaneSith

that's nothing. I wore an anti-bush shirt, I was suspended for 3 days, and was escorted out of school by 3 police officers.

 

*dittos breton's post*

 

Why didn't you call the press? The ACLU? There have been court cases over this EXACT thing. You could have totally trashed them. They have no right to do that. Not to mention, these things don't go on your record as "3 day suspension for anti-Bush shirt", they go on your record as "3 day suspension for insubordination"..

[Kain]

I got in trouble for wearing an Invader Zim shirt that said 'Prepare your bladder for imminent release!'. That was some bull****. I actually got suspended for wearing it again. Then I wore it again and the school dropped it.

[Pie™]

*image yoinked*

 

I'm getting this shirt

[Neverhoodian]

PROFANE LANGUAGE: The use of profanity or obscene language in school, upon school grounds, on school buses, or during activites sponsored by the school shall not be tolerated. Students who abuse this regulation will be disciplined by the administration.

 

Now I'm not an expert at interpreting guidelines and the lot, but I think the school can reasonably argue their reasoning. The wording of this clause is so broad that it can easily be applied to this situation.

 

Most schools consider the word "dumbass" as profanity. The word "use" could be viewed in a broader term than just saying the word (such as wearing shirts that display the word). Your friend was wearing the shirt at school; consequently, the school could say that he was "using" (a.k.a. "wearing") profanity "upon school grounds."

 

So technically, the school does have the authority to do that "from a certain point of view."

 

That's not saying that the school is in the right, of course. I think they really need to get their priorities straight. Heck, I heard far worse language every single day at my high school. The school should really go for bigger fish, like students who deal drugs or smuggle alcohol.

[El Sitherino]

It was the bush shirt that says "not MY president." with a picture of Bush next to it. They told me I was not allowed to wear a shirt like that and if I was to wear it again I'd be suspended again.

 

Datheus, noone cares about a stoner like me's rights.

[Darth Groovy]

Originally posted by SeleneRayne

My old school sucks balls due to there dress code.

 

You were not allowed to wear concert t-shirts, why i have no ****ing clue, but it's bull****. My friend got sent home for wearing a KoRn t-shirt. How stupid. And it had nothing offensive on it, it just said KoRn spelled out in bones.

 

My other friend got sent home for wearing a Godsmack t-shirt, and they gave him the option to change shirts, or go home. He chose to go home. CLEVER BOY.

 

And you couldn't wear colored shoelaces, SHOELACES!!!

I had red ones in my sophmore year, that came with my shoes. I was told to take them out and not wear them. I wasn't about to buy shoelaces that I didn't need bacause my school is retarted, funny thing was my mom felt the same way.

 

Jeezum Crow!

 

You sure this is not a reform school?

 

[Kain]

Originally posted by Darth Groovy

Jeezum Crow!

 

You sure this is not a reform school?

 

 

It was a public school. They eventually got rid of that particular rule...after about 600 petitions and a few hundred suspensions for repeated dress code violations (myself included). KoRn rocks!

[LightNinja]

Originally posted by SkinWalker

[/size]I live in a city where we all se habla Espanol

But the Spanish word "pendjo" is quite offensive, more so than "dumbass," so it carries a slightly different meaning when using it as a direct insult.

hablamos Español , and pendejo is not a spanish word, is a mexican word , but well, im America you learn to talk mexican not spanish .

Also i had a damn uniform all my life since last year, and it sucked really much

[Alegis]

They got stupid rules here as well, but compared to you guys i guess it's ok and i shouldn't complain Never heard of a uniform school here in Belgium

[Hiroki]

Oh no!! John Titors predictions are coming true! Hide your little ones! Nuclear fallout is upon us!!

 

Seriously...why on earth would he continue to wear that shirt to school? Must you wear a shirt with some sort of 'statement'? I wear shirts to be comfortable, not to make a point. Let your mouth do the talking.

[Darth Groovy]

Originally posted by Kain

It was a public school. They eventually got rid of that particular rule...after about 600 petitions and a few hundred suspensions for repeated dress code violations (myself included). KoRn rocks!

 

Seriously thought, I would have been totally screwed. At that point in my life, about 75% of my wardrobe was comprised of concert t-shirts. Jeez.

[Kain]

OMFG, that reminds me. We had to take some stupid tests my sophomore year that 1: We weren't allowd to see our OWN scores and 2: They didn't give any credit academically. We were just the cities guinee pigs. Well, me and my friend got done early, but instead of talking and being disruptive, we decided to pass a piece of paper between us, IN THE OPEN, to show we weren't making any secret plans. Well, the assistant warden, I mean pricipal, of who-gives-a-****(we have like 20 of em) decides to stick her old ass bitchy nose in our business and take our ****ing talking paper. I immediatly get my 'WTF are you doing?' face on and proceed to make a scene. They sent me back to class. Well, about 30 minutes later, I get called down to Mr. I'm-A-Fatass Dean, who's eating an entire pizza to himself, 3 slices at a time, to talk about some of the things in this note. Apparently, they thought I was going to do something BAD at the up and coming District Meeting of Dip****s to Discuss the Retarted Dress Code, because it was apparently implied in the note. I quote for you now, exerpts from that note: (we'll call my friend A)

 

Kain: These tests are so retarted.

A: Yea they are. Are you going to that meeting later tonight?

Kain: I should go. That ****in ******* Spitulski(thats our Principal) is the biggest facist since Hitler.

A: He even looks like Hitler:D

Kain: I gave him a Zeig Heil earlier. He didn't look impressed.

A: Oh my god Kain, you're gonna get in so much trouble:p

Kain: Darn. Did you see me and ****(I'm not using real names) Gush Stepping past him earlier?

A: Haha! Thats messed up.

Kain: Yea, I like stirring up trouble and ****.

 

Look at all them conspiracies...

[Breton]

Originally posted by SkinWalker

[/size]

 

 

I have a low tolerance for obsence or insulting T-shirts and bumperstickers that refer to people as "dumbass" or say "call 1800-eat-sh**" and stuff like that. Perhaps its because I have a small child now... maybe I'm just too old for that crap...

 

Thing is, what you find funny and what you find silly shouldn't matter on what people should be allowed to wear. One can't have a society where people ban everything they don't like. Such as, I don't like goth style, but I wouldn't dream of wanting to ban it. The freedom of wearing whatever you want should belong to any civilized society.

 

Anyway, your friend's civil liberties are intact... Freedom of speech doesn't include being free to insult,

 

Disagreed. The freedom of speech is the freedom to say whatever you like. It shouldn't matter if someone feels it's insulting.

 

And besides, there is no actual border between opinion/comment and insult. I am certain someone would be insulted when I say "I dislike republican politics", but I don't see how that should limit my right to say it. What's insulting and what's not depends solely on the reciever.