Comments on: ACLU Supports Opponent of “Day of Silence” http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/25/aclu-supports-opponent-of-day-of-silence/ Atheism with Positivity Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:58:56 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Secular Dignity http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/25/aclu-supports-opponent-of-day-of-silence/comment-page-1/#comment-157784 Secular Dignity Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:34:21 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/25/aclu-supports-opponent-of-day-of-silence/#comment-157784 I went to Napervoid schools from 5th grade through high school. If were not a jock, you were pretty much ignored by all the teachers. Most suburbanites are just hillbillies with college degrees. I do not miss the place at all. I went to Napervoid schools from 5th grade through high school. If were not a jock, you were pretty much ignored by all the teachers.

Most suburbanites are just hillbillies with college degrees. I do not miss the place at all.

]]> By: Seavee http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/25/aclu-supports-opponent-of-day-of-silence/comment-page-1/#comment-157715 Seavee Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:56:56 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/25/aclu-supports-opponent-of-day-of-silence/#comment-157715 <blockquote>Many students are and have always been subjected to emotional harm at school, and nothing is done about it. I don’t think a T-shirt is going to tip the scales one way or the other.</blockquote> This is true. Students are emotionally damaged by a lot of things. "emotional harm" is a vague term. It encompasses too much. I should have used something more specific.I don’t mean to imply that we need to protect students from the minor bullying and hurt feelings that are a normal part of growing up. I do think "safety" has to apply to more than just freedom from physical harm. My concern is that students will use this ruling as a precedent and wear/display symbols that are blatantly hateful and threatening. I am somewhat curious about the school's rules. Many schools do not allow clothing with words on it at all. The school I interned at several years ago allowed only solid colored shirts and khaki pants or jeans. I wonder if this ruling will allow students to work around strict dress codes.

Many students are and have always been subjected to emotional harm at school, and nothing is done about it. I don’t think a T-shirt is going to tip the scales one way or the other.

This is true. Students are emotionally damaged by a lot of things. “emotional harm” is a vague term. It encompasses too much. I should have used something more specific.I don’t mean to imply that we need to protect students from the minor bullying and hurt feelings that are a normal part of growing up.

I do think “safety” has to apply to more than just freedom from physical harm. My concern is that students will use this ruling as a precedent and wear/display symbols that are blatantly hateful and threatening.

I am somewhat curious about the school’s rules. Many schools do not allow clothing with words on it at all. The school I interned at several years ago allowed only solid colored shirts and khaki pants or jeans. I wonder if this ruling will allow students to work around strict dress codes.

]]> By: I like tea http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/25/aclu-supports-opponent-of-day-of-silence/comment-page-1/#comment-157707 I like tea Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:28:49 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/25/aclu-supports-opponent-of-day-of-silence/#comment-157707 <blockquote>We can not require students go daily until age 16 to a place that puts them in danger of physical or emotional harm.</blockquote> Many students are and have always been subjected to emotional harm at school, and nothing is done about it. I don't think a T-shirt is going to tip the scales one way or the other.

We can not require students go daily until age 16 to a place that puts them in danger of physical or emotional harm.

Many students are and have always been subjected to emotional harm at school, and nothing is done about it. I don’t think a T-shirt is going to tip the scales one way or the other.

]]> By: Seavee http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/25/aclu-supports-opponent-of-day-of-silence/comment-page-1/#comment-157680 Seavee Sat, 26 Apr 2008 19:21:05 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/25/aclu-supports-opponent-of-day-of-silence/#comment-157680 I am not sure if I see the ACLU’s point on this one. I am afraid people will use it to set a precedent that allows hate-messages in schools. The “Be happy, not gay” message may be offensive to those of us who disagree but it isn’t really hateful. It isn’t violent and doesn’t encourage violence. However, “I hate black people” or “Homo’s go to Hell” are hateful and could easily result in violence or at the very least, intimidation tactics. Schools absolutely must be safe places for all students. We can not require students go daily until age 16 to a place that puts them in danger of physical or emotional harm. This situation definitely asks us to reevaluate freedom of speech in schools. How far is too far? I am not sure if I see the ACLU’s point on this one. I am afraid people will use it to set a precedent that allows hate-messages in schools. The “Be happy, not gay” message may be offensive to those of us who disagree but it isn’t really hateful. It isn’t violent and doesn’t encourage violence. However, “I hate black people” or “Homo’s go to Hell” are hateful and could easily result in violence or at the very least, intimidation tactics.

Schools absolutely must be safe places for all students. We can not require students go daily until age 16 to a place that puts them in danger of physical or emotional harm.

This situation definitely asks us to reevaluate freedom of speech in schools.

How far is too far?

]]> By: Reed Braden http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/25/aclu-supports-opponent-of-day-of-silence/comment-page-1/#comment-157674 Reed Braden Sat, 26 Apr 2008 19:10:08 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/25/aclu-supports-opponent-of-day-of-silence/#comment-157674 <blockquote>I say this as a teacher who wore a rainbow ribbon all day in class to support the Day of Silence.</blockquote> That makes me happy. Thanks! :-D

I say this as a teacher who wore a rainbow ribbon all day in class to support the Day of Silence.

That makes me happy. Thanks!

:-D

]]> By: Cat's Staff http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/25/aclu-supports-opponent-of-day-of-silence/comment-page-1/#comment-157663 Cat's Staff Sat, 26 Apr 2008 18:45:59 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/25/aclu-supports-opponent-of-day-of-silence/#comment-157663 The reason I wanted to make the distinction between this being a school sponsored event or not was for consistency...I'm one who believes that if the rules are wrong they should be changed, not find ways to accommodate those who feel the rules are wrong while letting others break them. There is also the issue of this being a straw man argument... that the school is allowing one form of speech, therefore the school must allow the other form of speech...when it's not allowing/disallowing the original form of speech. ...but again, I support the idea of the DoS. The reason I wanted to make the distinction between this being a school sponsored event or not was for consistency…I’m one who believes that if the rules are wrong they should be changed, not find ways to accommodate those who feel the rules are wrong while letting others break them. There is also the issue of this being a straw man argument… that the school is allowing one form of speech, therefore the school must allow the other form of speech…when it’s not allowing/disallowing the original form of speech. …but again, I support the idea of the DoS.

]]> By: Friendly Atheist » Why Are the Muslims Sitting at a Separate Table? http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/25/aclu-supports-opponent-of-day-of-silence/comment-page-1/#comment-157648 Friendly Atheist » Why Are the Muslims Sitting at a Separate Table? Sat, 26 Apr 2008 18:12:49 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/25/aclu-supports-opponent-of-day-of-silence/#comment-157648 [...] the second time in two days, there’s a story of interest to atheists happening in my ultra-local neck of the [...] [...] the second time in two days, there’s a story of interest to atheists happening in my ultra-local neck of the [...]

]]> By: I like tea http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/25/aclu-supports-opponent-of-day-of-silence/comment-page-1/#comment-157646 I like tea Sat, 26 Apr 2008 18:11:41 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/25/aclu-supports-opponent-of-day-of-silence/#comment-157646 I'm definitely with the ACLU on this. We certainly can't fall into the neocon trap of only supporting the free speech of people who agree with us. This isn't the first time the ACLU has defended the fundamental rights of bigots and closed-minded people, and the Christian Right (other than Anna B up there) will have no problem continuing to ignore these cases as they pretend that the ACLU has it out for Christians. <blockquote>What would happen if a kid wore a “Black People Suck” t-shirt every day of Black History Month?</blockquote> I'd support his right to do so, though I'm not sure how much pity I'd feel if he got the shit beaten out of him. (Not that I'd *allow* anyone to beat the shit out of him, mind you.) I’m definitely with the ACLU on this. We certainly can’t fall into the neocon trap of only supporting the free speech of people who agree with us. This isn’t the first time the ACLU has defended the fundamental rights of bigots and closed-minded people, and the Christian Right (other than Anna B up there) will have no problem continuing to ignore these cases as they pretend that the ACLU has it out for Christians.

What would happen if a kid wore a “Black People Suck” t-shirt every day of Black History Month?

I’d support his right to do so, though I’m not sure how much pity I’d feel if he got the shit beaten out of him. (Not that I’d *allow* anyone to beat the shit out of him, mind you.)

]]> By: Karen http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/25/aclu-supports-opponent-of-day-of-silence/comment-page-1/#comment-157623 Karen Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:35:52 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/25/aclu-supports-opponent-of-day-of-silence/#comment-157623 <blockquote>wow, that’s big of the ACLU</blockquote> Standing for free speech is a classic mandate of the ACLU, and they've always represented any side of any issue.

wow, that’s big of the ACLU

Standing for free speech is a classic mandate of the ACLU, and they’ve always represented any side of any issue.

]]> By: Hemant Mehta http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/25/aclu-supports-opponent-of-day-of-silence/comment-page-1/#comment-157574 Hemant Mehta Sat, 26 Apr 2008 14:48:11 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/25/aclu-supports-opponent-of-day-of-silence/#comment-157574 <blockquote>was the school officially sanctioning the DoS?</blockquote> No, it's a student run event.

was the school officially sanctioning the DoS?

No, it’s a student run event.

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