Its been a long struggle for the gay community to gain acceptance over the past decades. Even for me, I have found that this particular lifestyle is one that I no longer find unusual. I say this simply because I have grown up in a small community that is lacking in tolerance of anything different to what they are used to or taught. This community, I feel I need to add, is full of Methodists and Southern Baptists that do not condone alternate lifestyles such as that of the gays. I find this important to add simply because as I left home and got to live and think for my own, I have found that I do not find anything offensive about this lifestyle. I set this particular blog up this way simply so that it is understood that I have no bias on the subject for the following story.
I read an article recently about how a christian boy got suspended from school for saying homosexuality is wrong. From what I understand he did not harass anyone or hurt anyone. It was a CLASS DISCUSSION in which he voiced his OPINION.
I just want to know when it became wrong for others to have an opinion. As mentioned earlier, I feel that we are living in an age of heightened tolerance. Its ok to be gay and talk about it, but now those who don't necessarily agree with that lifestyle have to walk on eggshells.
From that I question: Does a student lose their first amendment rights when they walk into a school?
And if so, does that mean that if they do lose such rights in class discussions are they forced to agree or keep quiet? Seems like it defeats the purpose of classroom discussions.
This article interested me because I am currently taking civil liberties and this is the type of cases we discuss. There is nothing wrong with what this child say and it was within his first amendment rights to do so. He should not have been expelled for voicing his opinion. I can think of some Supreme Court cases that would support my statements. Tinker v. Des Moines School District is a similar case that involves students being suspended for voicing their freedom of speech. I am sure there are many more cases which support this. I just cannot think of them off the top of my head. Suspending this student for his comments is a violation of the students freedom of speech given to him in the First Amendment. He should not be punished for this. Students do not lose their First Amendment rights when they walk into school. Especially if this is a public school. If a public school is not allowing its students assert their First Amendment rights then I do not feel that they should be allowed government grants and funding.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Thats what I thought and I agree totally with you.
ReplyDeleteHere is the link to the article. I forgot to add it.
http://tinyurl.com/3tjowsw
This is against this boy's right to freedom of speech. An opinion whether it be right or wrong is something that should be allowed to be shared openly in classroom setting especially if it was about this particular issue. This boy was not bashing gay people he was just stating his opinion. I took a class on human sexuality this past summer where we discussed issues similar to this. People were able to voice their opinion freely in a classroom setting. Some people are just not open to hearing both sides of the story.
ReplyDeleteThis is completely wrong of the school. I agree with what everyone else said! The boy has the right to his own opinion and to express that opinion as well! This is messed up!
ReplyDelete