Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Interesting Video

I don't think there should be laws against anti-gay hate speech, or bullying. A teacher is obliged to protect ALL students from abuse and threats. A classroom has to be safe, and to feel safe. Singling out gay students for special protections will make the problem worse.

This video is impressive. The kid is quite a speaker.

But the article raises some questions, to me. First, no Confederate flags? Really? In my high school, that would have meant sending about half the kids home. Even the women. Yes, it would have. There were lots more Confederate flags than U.S. flags on jackets, pockets, and so on.

Second, "the" home of the KKK? Nice that we have those dangerous maniacs segregated off into one small town in Michigan, but my impression was that the problem was somewhat more widespread, frankly. It's hard to prove a negative, but it appears that the headquarters of the Michigan KKK was near Howell, emphasizing the "WAS." If you are really worried about hate speech, perhaps you shouldn't go making up blatantly false stuff about Howell, MI.

Finally, what is the procedure for expelling a kid? I don't see why the teacher would be a hero for just telling the bully / problem kid to "get out of my classroom." Sure, it's a hassle to follow the rules. But the 14 year old kid who was told to "get out" is in school because the law forces him to be there. You can't just let him wander the halls. If the teacher was suspended for ignoring the rules on suspensions, then I have to say the suspension is consistent with standard practice.

So, two cheers for the teacher. And three cheers for the kid in the vid; good advocacy, and well done standing up to bullies that way.

(Nod to Anonyman)

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

There were lots more Confederate flags than U.S. flags on jackets, pockets, and so on.

Traitors.

You lost. Your cause was not noble. Get over it already.

If you are really worried about hate speech, perhaps you shouldn't go making up blatantly false stuff about Howell, MI.

Wow, what a load of self righteous crybaby false equivalence.

Anonymous said...

The confederate cause of decentralizing power was most certainly noble.

Michael said...

The Associated Press tells a different story than that summary.

A different student was wearing the Conferdate flag, and this spawned a conversation about pride symbols. During the classroom discussion a student revealed he did not approve of gays and was marched out. The local ACLU agreed with the schoolboard that this was a violation of his freedom of speech.

I went further into the details at www.younghipandconservative.com/2010/11/freedom-of-speech-trumps-tolerance.html

Toestubber said...

You lost. Your cause was not noble. Get over it already.

Who the fuck is Anonymous talking to? Don't hurt yourself with that jerking knee there, sport. You're about as relevant to the discussion as a spambot offering "free g.u.c.c.i bags."