It's the Appeal

Small choices in our daily life, such as clothing, affect the public eye greatly. Mark Davis, a popular radio host, says that there is a tough line between what is acceptable as Freedom of Expression in schools, and a public distraction. Bretton Barber, a 17year old from Michigan high school, wore a T-shirt with President Bushes face and words spelling, “International Terrorist.” Barber didn’t intend to stir the pot, but with a shirt like that he did, and he was forced to turn it inside out. Is stating an opinion in school wrong? I believe that was Barber’s thoughts, in his argument. Davis states, if he had wore a shirt less descriptive such as; “Shoot for Peace,” or “No War,” the schools probably would have said nothing.

Appropriate?

            Restrictions on school clothing aren’t a current invention; they’ve been around since you could choose what to wear. In the 60’s a case struck a huge revolution for students freedom on school premises. John F. Tinker, Mary Beth Tinker, and their friend, promised to wear black armbands to protest the Vietnam War. The school told these kids, that they couldn’t wear them and they retaliated. The very next day they were suspended, and later it was taken to the Supreme Court in Tinker v. Des Moines. Winning, the court concluded that, “students did not shed their constitutional rights to freedom of expression at the schoolhouse gates.”

MaryBeth and John F. Tinker

However schools have the right to set dress guidelines. Students can’t protest their opinions at school about a certain belief. They also can’t dress according to that opinion if it’s disruptive. This is the word that stumps most students. How are my opinions distracting students? If you were publicly protesting a certain belief, which causes students to notice, that would be considered disruptive explains Davis. But if you are, “silently,” protesting, such as the Tinker’s, then the schools really can’t say anything.

             Although Davis is slightly torn between freedom of expression and school polices, he does state that, “Passionate debates on controversial issues is good for students and should be encouraged.” This I agree on. I believe that debating with young people opens their minds to all possibilities. If they have a stance on a certain issue they should be able to support it with reason and facts. I notice how the youth tend to display a statement, but don’t fully realize the entire topic. They wear apparel without understanding what they are actually publicizing. I can remember students at my high school getting in trouble for wearing Rogue sweatshirts or marijuana T’s. Since schools are a public place where drugs and alcohol are illegal, they have the right to make students abide by these regulations. But when it comes to political choices the schools have to keep neutral. Facility can’t persuade their opinions upon students, and students can’t persuade their opinions on peers. However, debating amongst each other should be encouraged. Public schools are a place for learning, socialization, and personal growth. To hinder any of these opportunities, I believe, would be against any schools goal. Making these standards is to protect the overall safety of students and to limit disturbances.