This Title is Offensive

This title is offensive.



In public schools safety triumphs over freedom of speech.


Many students believe as soon as they walk through the school gates all of their First Amendment rights are left behind. The First Amendment covers freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition.


Students do have these rights in school but they are hampered more than they should be. School officials take away anything that would be ‘disruptive,’ ‘obscene’ and ‘unsafe’ in the school system.


For example, in the case of Tinker a group of students wanted to protest the war by wearing armbands with peace signs. The schools caught word of what was going on and enforced a rule that armbands were no longer allowed in the district.


The school believed the armbands may cause fights between students. War is a controversial issue and some students may be offended by the idea that a group of students are against it.


The key word being may. Yes, some students may be offended by an armband protesting the war. Who is to say this will lead to fighting? How long can we shelter students from the real world? People disagree. Let them disagree. How are students supposed to form an opinion on any issue if everyone agrees all of the time?


As in the case of Parker High School located in Janesville, Wis., a student was giving a presentation to his English class, according to an article on Channel3000.com. His visual aid was the Bible and a book. He called the Bible a ‘piece of crap.’


He then stated “I'm going to do this because I can. I'm going to do something that your stupid little minds aren't going to be able to comprehend.” He began ripping pages out of the Bible, offending many of his classmates.


School officials would not confirm whether the boy was suspended, according to the article.


In a reaction to the boys punishment three Parker High School students wore t-shirts protesting that the student be brought back to the school after his hearing. School officials made the students change clothing.


Teachers have a lack of rights too. Teachers should be able to choose the books their students read, within reason. A student should be allowed to read books with murder, suicide, sexual references, profanity, alcohol, graphic violence, etc. A teacher should be allowed to assign these books to students. These are real world things. Students should have the right to view the real world as they wish to.


Students having a saying in what they read could improve their scores. Most of the time, students do not want to read the novels they are assigned and score low on tests and quizzes. If the students choose what they read and take interest their choosing, test scores are bound to improve.


Everything can be considered offensive if you look at it a certain way. A Batman shirt can start an argument with someone who prefers Superman. A swastika can be seen as an offensive symbol to those who believe in Judaism. A cross can be seen as offensive to people of the Hindu faith. Certain colors can start a fight between gangs. Where is the line drawn between what is offensive and what is not?


Let the students decide. Let students disagree. Let students form their own opinions. Confrontations should be dealt with when they happen. Students need to grow and learn that everything is not all rainbows and sunshine. Having their thoughts sheltered is not going to help. A small handful of adults should not be able to say what students wear, say or read. They have their own voices, let them use it.


Studnets, don’t be afraid to say what is on your mind. If you think it, say it. Empower others to do the same.


If the school system continues to suppress the student minds into a conformist state, the world will be doomed.