Your views on freedom of speech in high schools?

[AnnaK<3LMIP]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 8:16pm

Today in World Geo class we were debating whether or not the U.S. had the right to (or should have) dropped the atomic bomb, imprisoned Japanese-Americans, and so on and so forth. It's my favorite class so I jumped right in with "absolutley not, we had no right.." and I'm sure you can imagine the rest. Well this other guy in my class who disagrees with me on EVERYTHING was like "Anna, you're just way too sensitive about these things..what else were we supposed to do?" I said there had to be another way..there always is another way, and he said "Well you're just being naive, you don't really know anything about it. Just because you read a book about it.." blah blah.
So he was wearing a cap that had the Confederate flag on it and it said "The South Will Rise Again". So, I said that I refused to take his opinion seriously unless he removed his hat" to which he was all "Freedom of speech, I can wear what I want - blah!" So I said that was fine, but it's my freedom of speech to tell him I find it wrong on so many levels.
This resulted in the entire class fighting.
Which resulted in me and him in the dean of students' office.
Which resulted in a detention.
For the both of us.


Now I have to ask if I am the only one who thinks this completely unfair. Now, fine, I can take a detention it won't kill me, but I get the same punishment as a guy wearing a hat that says THAT?

I know lots of people will agree that I should not have burst out in class, but we were debating, and we always burst out in that class. My teacher didn't actually mind, she was on my side, but the guy I was argueing with has his girlfriend in class, and she complained to administration.

Now I am all for freedom of speech but I really do not think it's right to wear shirts in school that promote drugs, or racism, or shirts that say "Don't be gay, be straight and cool". Lots of people don't think it's a big deal but isn't your school where you're supposed to feel safe in? Aren't you supposed to be in a learning environment that you can feel comfortable in?

I was reading an article for a test in English today about freedom of speech in schools, and students sueing their schools and what not, and I'll agree that there are certain things students should be able to do. But there is a huge difference between wearing black bands on your arm to protest a war and boasting racial slogans.

Updated On: 6/5/07 at 08:16 PM

[paradox_error]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 8:26pm

I don't think there should be freedom of speech in schools...
It's a controlled environment, and therefore control is needed over children's behaviour...which includes what they say (and wear).

[AnnaK<3LMIP]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 8:36pm

True dat.
For example, we read about a girl who sued her school because they wouldn't let her wear her Tigger socks or whatever.
Really? I get that it's the principle of the subject but the school was enforcing a dress code because of the gang violence.

It's just like how teachers should always stop kids in the hall when they hear any "f!g" or what have you. I think it's really important that everyone understand some things offend people, even if you think (umm..stupidly) that it's funny or not a big deal.

[HeidiPuck]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 9:12pm

I'm firmly on the fence for this one. I think when something gets to the point of distraction, teachers should step in (it is a controlled environment). However, just like in the "real" world, it would be impossible to stop all behavior that offends *someone*.

By giving students the opportunity to express themselves in a controlled environment, it becomes pretty clear what the consequences of their actions might be in the real world. I personally learned a lot about social taboos and just how far I could push people before I went "too far", all within the safety of a controlled environment.