Posted on 05/26/2005 10:22:33 AM PDT by freepatriot32
A teenager was back in class Friday after receiving a one-day suspension for wearing a T-shirt with slogans including "freedom of expression" and "don't drink and drive" that school administrators considered disruptive.
Hanna Smith, 18, a junior at Tift County High School, said principal Mike Duck told her that if she wore the shirt again she would be suspended for the remainder of the year.
The principal was arrested six years ago for DUI and running a stop sign, the Tifton Gazette said Friday in a story on Smith's suspension. Duck made a public apology for the DUI and was himself suspended for five days.
Smith's mother, Tracy Fletcher, said she would defend her daughter's right to express herself, even if it means hiring an attorney and taking the case to court.
"They want everyone to fit into a mold and there's no room for individuality. These kids are our future, I think they should be treated with a little more respect. Their opinions count. Their thoughts count," Fletcher said.
The principal confirmed that Smith was back in class Friday without the banned T-shirt, which also had a peace symbol on the front and "Veritas" (truth) written on the back.
On Friday, Smith wore a different T-shirt, this one reading "Don't Underestimate Individuality," her mother said. The first letters of those words spell "DUI." Her mother said the teen plans to wear the banned T-shirt again on Monday.
Duck said he could not comment on the suspension.
"We can't discuss children and their issue," he said. "It's a matter of privacy and protection of their rights."
The school system's dress code forbids disruptive clothing, grooming and symbols. Principals decide what's disruptive.
"I have an obligation to maintain an orderly environment," Duck said. "The courts give me the authority and the right to make those decisions and as long as I'm sitting in this chair that's what I'm going to do."
Smith said she learned about Constitutional rights, such as freedom of expression, in class and wishes school officials would honor them.
"I think it's silly that we can't practice the freedoms that they teach us here," Smith said. "You would think that school officials would have respect for the law and people's rights, or at least they should."
"Before the 1960s, no one would have sided with the girl."
Before the 1960's she probably would have been sent home for wearing ANY T-shirt. :) I graduated in 1987 and was reminded numerous times at school to tuck my shirt in.
I once wore a button that said "No fat chicks" to school. It was confiscated and mysteriously disappeared. I don't remember suing anyone, though. ;)
The educational purpose of the school remains despite isolated mistakes by staff.
I can see a time immediately after such an incident for a week or two when such will be a topic of discussion in any school. I don't think we're dealing with that here.
There has been time for T-Shirts to be made with intentionally inflaming messages printed thereon....not just one, but two. There has been time for a suspension.
This sounds like someone holding onto yesterday's news and using it to distract. I think the court will rule in favor of the school and that disruption will be the basis of their ruling.
What do you think the court will rule?
Yep, I'm very psyched about this. The trailer looked very good! I think if they stick closely to Lewis's text they'll have a real winner. It's liable to get kids all stirred up about something the public schools don't like to admit exists.
M R ducks
M R not ducks
O S A R
C D E D B D wings?
Y I B! M R ducks!
I'm sort of wondering why an 18 year old is just a "junior at Tuft High School."
I thought graduating seniors were normally 17/18 years old.
I smell a subplot here.
I think the court will rule in favor of the girl.
The shirts do not have an obviously negative image. Instead, they are actually positive. Anyone making the connection to the principal either knows the story, or was told the story, so the disruption remains the fault of others, specifically the principal.
Clearly his actions continue to impact his credibility, which, to me, raises serious questions regarding his fitness.
You see, I was one of them attention seeking nonconformist types..........like everyone else.
At least you didn't have an Assistant Principal that would cut off your belt loops if you weren't wearing a belt through them.
Now, why did you go make this political? Why do you assume that because I am on the side of authority and discipline that I'm a Clintonista? The idea is actually oxymoronic. (BTW, per Miss Smith's example, I've just launched two coded insults at you.) Okay, since you want to splash around in the political pond, let's test your principles. What if Michael Scheuer started wearing a t-shirt around the CIA calling Tenet a political puppet? Or what if a recruit at basic training decides his drill sergeant is an SOB and scrawls something to that effect on his shirt when he falls in for PT? How tolerant would you be of that? Or would you be part of the chorus proclaiming how richly they deserved what they got?
Well I suppose you think Bill Clinton's apology and suspension for impeachment meant all of us who wanted him to resign or be removed were just provocative. Many of the Clinton Fans felt that way and were quite keen on beating it out of us ...
You make a good case. I think the girl could have gotten away with it if she'd left it at just the first shirt.
The coincidence of the 2nd shirt's acronym spelling DUI, though, was a bit too cute. I think the court will see through it.
There's also some reason an 18 year old is just a junior at this High School. I'm betting that these two have a history, not reported in this article, that will also come out.
Good point. She's obviously not kept up with her peers.
Nice to see you were one as well.
You sure assume a whole lot.
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