Students forced to turn pro-life t-shirts inside out or else
Good for them. They may sue if the school doesn’t reverse its decision.
Reported WTOL.com today about administrative action at Anthony Wayne High School in Whitehouse, OH:
They wanted to send a strong message about the sanctity of life, but some local high school students say they were punished for their beliefs….
The T-shirts read, “Abortion is homicide.” The students wore the shirts on April 21 to mark the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in the U.S.
“We were told we could take the shirts off, turn them inside out or face a two-day suspension,” says senior Kristen Norman. The students say they felt so strongly, they were willing to face the consequences until the school district began adding on more punishments….
“We were told we would not be able to go to our senior prom, would not be able to participate in senior skip days, go to a senior picnic or walk at graduation,” Norman says.
The Anthony Wayne school district tells News 11 they have no comment on the incident.
The American Life League, however, says in order to force the students to hide the message on their shirts, the school must have evidence the students’ actions disrupted discipline at the school.
“If they do not do anything else to change their decision… it could lead to legal actions,” says senior Jamie Pellek
WTOL is running a poll, asking if the school’s action was right or not. It’s running 80% against the decision now. Vote at top of article.
Click the graphic below for the link to the news video:
[HT: Rock for Life]
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
praise the Lord we have some brave young people who have not bought into our culture of death!
Sidenote: they keep saying the shirts were worn on April 21 “the anniv of Roe v. Wade” … am I losing my mind here, or isn’t Roe v. Wade Jan 21?
The school is in the wrong here. As much as speech is limited in schools, this should not be a case of it. Kinda reminds me of a case we looked at in U.S. legal over a “Gays Kick Ash” shirt worn by multiple students as a campaign to try and get gays to stop smoking (why that one group I have no idea). The school tried to take similar action, dont remember if they ever won or not.
Anyway, in either case the schools were in the wrong (or at least, I think they were). Students still have a vast majority of the ability provided by free speech. This does not fall under school “obscenity” nor is it a (blatant) attempt to incite someone or group to violent actions. It’s a political statement that to me is no different than me wearing my Obama sweatshirt to school, or some of my friends wearing shirts supporting McCain, or anti-gun control, or shirts encouraging the re-lowering of the drinking age. Schools (esp high school and college) ought to be forums of free expression (obviously within reason, as precedent permits)
The threat to suspend, end graduation, no permit senior activities, etc, is ridiculous and further ticks me off as I understand that position, it’s happened in the past at my school for more trivial things, and im sure this year the threats will come to my class as well. *sigh*
I’ve just come from seeing “Expelled”…wow.
We can’t talk about religion, we can only talk about science if it agrees with evolution, we can’t express our views about abortion…when did we start calling this country the USSR again?
I have that t-shirt, but actually its in hooded sweatshirt form. I’m wearing it right now over my Pro Life T-shirt Day T-shirt.
Awesome! I am so proud of them!
I’m going to start manufacturing reversible pro-life t-shirts so when they ask kids to wear them inside out….well, you know…..:)
Hehe, excellent Janet. Hey, I received an email from you today that was blank… was it supposed to say something or was it an attempt to confuse me? Either way, the latter has been accomplished…
Bobby, It worked!
(just kidding!) That’s a first. I’ll check and see what happened:)
Janet,
You are onto something there!!! Would love to see the principal’s face!!
Oh this is strange, Janet… your next email only said “begin forwarded message” and nothing else, but when I went to reply to it, it had all the text n the reply screen. The same thing happened with your other email. Weird. I”ll read it now…
Bobby,
There was a > at the end of your address when I tried to resend it so I removed it. Hopefully that was it. If not, you might need a trip to the eye doctor, because it looks good to me.
If I can wear this t-shirt:
https://www.petacatalog.org/prodinfo.asp?number=TS189
then they can wear that.
Hey you guys give this to your Mom for Mothers Day!
https://www.petacatalog.org/prodinfo.asp?number=TS196
You can wear this to the beach:
https://www.petacatalog.org/prodinfo.asp?number=TS196
I told my parents they could get me this one for my birthday:
https://www.petacatalog.org/prodinfo.asp?number=TS177
Just thought I’d share some of my favorite t-shirts with you guys too : )
Dan,
You are right, schools cannot discriminate this way. If they let kids wear Pro-Gay or Pro-Choice T-shirts, then they have to allow those with the opposite opinion the chance to do the same.
I think the only exception is if they do not allow any kind of activism apparal or speech. They could make a case that these kids were being treated the same as all the other kids.
I’d be interested knowing if they allowed these other groups to wear their T-Shirts to school.
Sorry the beach one is:
https://www.petacatalog.org/prodinfo.asp?number=TS184
But yeah good for them for actually having an opinion.
MK, I saw “Expelled” today, too. Isn’t it wild that we’re encouraged to “Question Authority”, except when that authority is anti-Christian or anti-God? Then we should shut up!
Jess,
I like your favorite too. (Peas) Funny!
Jess,
Peta actually has some cute graphics on their T-shirts. Maybe we could have the same company make pro-life T’s. Most of the pro-life shirts I see on web sites are pretty ugly. (Sorry to all you T-shirt designers out there!)
http://www.jellymuffin.com/images/charity/images/prolife.gif
Please put this on a t-shirt! I’ll totally wear it around town!
The students wore the shirts on April 21 to mark the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in the U.S.
Someone should tell them they missed the anniversary by three months.
If they want to wear anti-abortion shirts to school, they’d be well advised to choose a less confrontational message. In any high school in America, you’re going to have students who have had abortions, and they don’t deserve to be attacked while they’re trying to go to school. Shirts like this, for example, would be perfect to wear to school because they express the pro-life view respectfully, without attacking anyone.
These kids need to sue the pants off this school district.
Contact the Allied Defense Fund and the American Center for Law and Justice.
Reality:
The problem with people like you and most pro-aborts is that you are so willing to compromise the truth so as not to “offend”.
Well let me tell you this. The truth is offensive especially to those who hate it.
Why reality? So the kids don’t get their butts kicked after school? They do have the right to wear the shirt, and their friends have the right to ostracize them for it. I don’t care if people go around calling them bitter virgins.
*wispers*
(easpeciallythefatguyitsalwaysfunnywhenuglypeopleareantisex)
Dan, perhaps they targeted gays because the word “fag” in the UK means cigarette?
(iwispereditsoiwontgetbannedbutsexlesspeoplewhowantsexbutcantgetitsotheyremeantopeoplewhocanarejustawful*
Edyt, hence “lighting a fag” is not the heinous practice us Americans might imagine.
Fact: High School students have way less rights than adult citizens, so said my high school journalism teacher.
I’m not saying I agree with it, but the school administration does reserve the right to enforce a certain dress code.
There was that one kid that got expelled for wearing a Coke shirt when the school was supposed to be shooting a Pepsi commercial. Talk about harsh. His shirt wasn’t even offensive or “hot button”.
I have no problem with them expressing their beliefs through their clothing, I do it all the time. But school rules apply no matter how noble your intentions.
Ooh JKeller I went to your site… I
For some reason chunks of my posts are disappearing. Am I being banned?
Edyt, hence “lighting a fag” is not the heinous practice us Americans might imagine.
Posted by: Jess at April 25, 2008 11:53 PM
…………………………………………..
Not according to some!
Don’t ask me how I found out the English meaning of shag. I meant floor covering and that is all anyone needs to know.
“Edyt, hence “lighting a fag” is not the heinous practice us Americans might imagine.”
@Jess: You like the Georgia Nicolson books too!?
Jess, I like your T-shirts, too. But I must say that, although I’m pretty much asexual, I don’t think I’m “mean” to those who are sexual. You dig?
For some reason chunks of my posts are disappearing. Am I being banned?
Nah, some parts of your speech are holier than others and are thus being raptured at this very moment. Maybe you should repent the rest of those words so they don’t burn in hell for eternity.
Fact: High School students have way less rights than adult citizens, so said my high school journalism teacher.
LOL I hardly think your high school journalism teacher counts as the be all end all of journalism.
FACT: High school students have the right to the first amendment as well.
Frank LoMonte is the executive director of the Student Press Law Center in Arlington, Virginia. He says that high schools have greater latitude to censor publications than, say, colleges, “but that is not unlimited.”
“Even in a situation where a school sets itself up as the absolute arbiter of what goes into a student newspaper, they can’t just censor willy-nilly,” LoMonte tells me.
For 25 years, U.S. Supreme Court precedent has held that schools censoring student publications must have a “valid educational purpose,” LoMonte says. If the students have done a terrible job and the paper is littered with grammatical errors, for example, the school can intervene. Or if, say, the students wanted to publish a graphic sexual description, the school could argue that it needs to protect its students and remove the offensive story.
Via
The Student Press Law Center is a pretty good research tool for censored students.
FAQ about high school press rights.
JKeller,
I JUST asked Bethany about you this morning! Weird!!!! How are you? Where have you been??????
Students do have free speech, but it is more limited as it is supposed to not “disrupt the educational process” which principals and teachers can decide on, unfortunately. Students have very few civil rights in schools now, at least technically. Lockers, backpacks etc can be searched at any time without probable cause, speech is more limited than in the open sphere, even in colleges (look at “free speech zones”) etc. It may not seem like much, but it can mean things being taken to extremes, such as the t shirts in this case or (in my view) the bong hits 4 Jesus case (which was off school grounds, at an even that was not school supported or sponsored and the kid was STILL punished, ugh)
MK,
I’m good. I’ve been working long hours and also posting on another (college sports) site so I haven’t had the chance to come over here in a while.
There was that one kid that got expelled for wearing a Coke shirt when the school was supposed to be shooting a Pepsi commercial. Talk about harsh. His shirt wasn’t even offensive or “hot button”.
I have no problem with them expressing their beliefs through their clothing, I do it all the time. But school rules apply no matter how noble your intentions.
Posted by: JKeller at April 26, 2008 12:22 AM
As a former public school teacher, I am disgusted at the way schools think they have the right to sell kids to commercial interests. Targeting a captive (literally) audience for commercial purposes is not why kids are in school. The school is supposed to serve the interests of the students not the other way around. Free citizens are not obligated to subjugate their beliefs to the state. Some principals, superintendents and school boards have forgotten their place; to SERVE the students, not exploit and oppress them.
The students in the picture are not little kids. They are for all intents and purposes adults. They have rights as citizens.
If I can wear this t-shirt:
https://www.petacatalog.org/prodinfo.asp?number=TS189
then they can wear that.
Posted by: Jess at April 25, 2008 8:28 PM
I certainly agree that students have the right to wear that shirt.
It speaks against mindless conformity and violence. It encourages real thought about real life issues.
Why should teens be limited to trivial things such as music and fashion and movies?
Rae, I would say the Georgia Nicolson books are my Bible but I’m scared of what people here would say to that =O
bmmg39, I can dig, hip cat : )
hippie, I just hate how some kids can be so close minded. It’s ok to have beliefs, it’s not ok to try and shame and harass those who have different ones.
@Jess: They were my “bible” all through middle and high school! I love them to pieces!
Jess: Rae, I would say the Georgia Nicolson books are my Bible but I’m scared of what people here would say to that =O
Just skimmed her wikipedia entry, that explains a lot, Jess, Lol!
“We can’t talk about religion, we can only talk about science if it agrees with evolution, we can’t express our views about abortion…when did we start calling this country the USSR again?”
MK, just like watching Michael Moore film, you have to take everything they say with a grain of salt. Well, a cup of salt.
PIP,
Have you seen the movie? Personally, I was well aware of how I was being “led” in the movie. I went in with no preconceived notions (as you know, I refuse to weigh in on the Darwin issue)…however, after seeing this movie, I now have an opinion.
They were very clear to differentiate between darwinism and evolution. I find that I have no problem with species evolving within themselves, but I am absolutely opposed to the idea of species jumping.
Also, this movie wasn’t so much about evolution as it was about one group of scientists keeping another group from exploring their theories. Evolution without and Intelligent Designer is not fact, but the Darwinists treat it as though it is.
It is in not allowing both sides to explore the possibilities to their final conclusions that is upsetting.
You should see it. Tell me what you think…then we can talk.
” I find that I have no problem with species evolving within themselves, but I am absolutely opposed to the idea of species jumping.”
How can you be opposed to an idea? I think it would be preferable if you said, “I don’t accept the concept of species jumping”. :)
FWIW…”species” jumping occurs in bacteria. :)
“They were very clear to differentiate between darwinism and evolution.”
Well there is darwinian and non-darwinian evolution, but there is no doubt that speciation occurs- we observe it all the time. There are numerous studies about speciation of different studies and there are also several different approaches when studying it. If you want me to go in depth or provide info for further study, let me know.
“Have you seen the movie?”
I’m going to wait until I don’t have to waste 8 bucks seeing it. However, from video clips and recaps of MANY people that have already seen it I have a good idea about how unrepresentative and out-of-context they take it. They go so far as to say evolution has to do with many social evils, which is completely unscientific and unrelated to “academic freedom.” For a Jew I find it appalling that Stein is willing to blame a scientific theory over a genuinely evil person. It’s like a protestant blaming the Catholic church for Tourquemada (sp?).
“however, after seeing this movie, I now have an opinion.”
Opinion over what? From what I read, the movie did not spend much time actually weighing any evidence. If you mean “academic freedom” look into the context of some of the people Stein mentions–if you need links let me know.
“Also, this movie wasn’t so much about evolution as it was about one group of scientists keeping another group from exploring their theories.”
Ah well again look deeper into these “persecuted” scientists. You will find out there are other reasons for these scientists to be denied tenure (etc). The movie deceives you into thinking there is only one reason. With movies like these always check the facts before weighing in an opinion–you would see someone taking Fahrenheit 9/11 at face value and think they need to do some research, right? I suggest everyone seeing this movie do the same.
“Evolution without and Intelligent Designer is not fact, but the Darwinists treat it as though it is.”
Evolution is a fact. And a theory. And..’darwinist’ referring to scientists who accept evolution is also deceptive, there are many non-darwinian evolutoinary mechanisms.
“It is in not allowing both sides to explore the possibilities to their final conclusions that is upsetting.
You should see it. Tell me what you think…then we can talk.”
You will find plenty of IDs already with tenure because before then they did some legitimate science (usually nonbiological though). And God isn’t scientific. So most of the premise of this movie is wrong. Academic freedom is losing more grounds in the theology department than anywhere else, in my opinion.
If my boy pays for me, I’ll see it, but otherwise I might not really feel like shelling out the money just yet. I have read the claims though already without all of the deceiving MM-esque cinematography and I can tell you there is plenty of contradictory evidence to Stein’s claims.
This is the t-shirt that I will be wearing (Again, since it needs washed) on Tuesday.
http://www.nationalprolifetshirtday.com/
Is that offensive? It shows what a baby looks like inside the womb. No bloody images.
“It’s like a protestant blaming the Catholic church for Tourquemada (sp?).”
Why shouldn’t a Protestant blame the Catholic Church for Torquemada? Was not Torquemada a Catholic? Did he not murder Protestants?
If Adolph Hitler’s eugenic ideology was inspired by the theory of evolution, and it certainly seems as though it was, we shouldn’t pretend that it wasn’t. That does not mean that Darwinism = Nazism, but it does mean that a belief in Godless evolution combined with the lack of a well formed conscience can and does lead to atrocities.
Bitter virgins? As in being bitter for being a virgin? Why would anyone be bitter for being a virgin when it’s so easy to not be one? I could lose my virginity right now if I so choose. The effort is in keeping it, not losing it.
So why would someone be bitter for being something that involves restraint, foresight and self-respect and endure undue ridicule when they could stop all of the above persecutions almost instantly?
Could it not be that these virgin pro-lifers aren’t bitter, but instead have deeply held convictions about the value of human life so much that they won’t risk creating a baby in circumstances that aren’t the best for the child? That’s why I’m a virgin- I don’t play around and take risks at the expense of my children. I love them too much.
The race to lose your virginity is akin to girls racing to get their periods first. It’s an immature contest to prove ‘adulthood’ and that even fails, as you don’t have to be an adult to do either. I can understand why the losers of this contest might be bitter for 2 seconds, but hopefully they’ll grow up for real.
John,
since you admitted that the Catholic Church is responsible for Torquemada’s atrocities I guess I can’t pretend anymore. Evolution is responsible for all the world’s evils including Hitler’s holocaust.
See! Doesn’t that make you all feel better! I hate accountability, don’t you!!
(seriously, noone denies eugenics being a factor but for some reason the fact that anti-semitism has been in Europe for centuries prior ,and the political climate at the time was unstable, equally contributed to his rise to power and the stuff he did seems to escape those looking for a moral way to demonize evolution without having to seriously examine it).
PIP, I said that it was fine for Protestants to blame the Catholic Church for Torquemada. He was a Catholic, and he murdered people in the name of Catholicism. We should apologize for him. That’s a little bit different than saying that the Church, ie, Catholic dogma and Church teaching, is responsible for Torquemada doing what he did.
Also, PIP, you speak as though Jews were Hitler’s only targets. While they suffered the most, he went after a lot of people who he considered to be inferior. To say that Hitler was inspired by the theory of evolution is not to say that evolution is evil; but applying the principles of “survival of the fittest” to mankind and seeking to help that idea along by exterminating everyone who you think is not “fit” is definitely evil.
Jacqueline said: “Bitter virgins? As in being bitter for being a virgin? Why would anyone be bitter for being a virgin when it’s so easy to not be one? I could lose my virginity right now if I so choose. The effort is in keeping it, not losing it.”
You’re absolutely right. The people-who-sleep-around-but-object-to-being-called-sluts-which-is-what-they-are-by-definition are always saying that virgins must be bitter people who can’t “get any” because they’re too ugly, or whatever. Uh, hello, if I wanted to “hook up” for sex, it wouldn’t be too difficult. Sorry if I don’t behave in a reprehensible, selfish manner, all of you people-who-don’t-like-to-be-called-what-you-are.
Speaking of being called things like ‘slut’ and ‘ho’…these words are typically only used by those to are such things themselves.
While I could non-hypocritically call someone a slut, I never do, but I’ve been called a slut by a number of sluts. I also see them throwing these words at eachother with great frequency and intensity. It only proves that even they know what they’re doing is reprehensible, and must take focus off of themselves.
I’ve been called a slut by a number of sluts.
:: laughing ::
“Also, PIP, you speak as though Jews were Hitler’s only targets. While they suffered the most, he went after a lot of people who he considered to be inferior. To say that Hitler was inspired by the theory of evolution is not to say that evolution is evil; but applying the principles of “survival of the fittest” to mankind and seeking to help that idea along by exterminating everyone who you think is not “fit” is definitely evil.”
Well of course it’s evil. Noone said that a theory about nature should be used like that except for him.
Of course Jews weren’t his only targets, but same principle applies. Can’t say gypsies or homosexuals were a majorly accepted part of society.
I’ve been called a slut by a number of sluts.
:: laughing ::
It’s true. All of them have had sex with a million times as many men as I have. :)
I am pretty sure the students were wearing their shirts for NATIONAL PRO-LIFE T-SHIRT DAY and not because of any anniversary related to Roe v Wade.
The person reporting the story in Ohio needs to get their facts straight.
All of them have had sex with a million times as many men as I have. :)
Why Jacqueline, shame on you! That’s not true.
Why Jacqueline, shame on you! That’s not true.
It’s absolutely true. Do the math! 5 million x 0= O. :)
Ho hum……. another proabort school administration trying to flex their muscles….. what else is new?
I hope these kids get a big chunk of change out of this, they deserve it.
All of them have had sex with a million times as many men as I have. :)
“Why Jacqueline, shame on you! That’s not true.”
It’s absolutely true. Do the math! 5 million x 0= O. :)
Here comes Bobby Bambino with a styrofoam baseball bat to bop you on the head.
Yeah, zero. They have not had sex with zero men.
On Saturday, May 10th, ten Christians from across Ohio, traveled to Bowling Green University, to “attend” the Anthony Wayne prom. We went in support of the ten brave young people who wore their “Abortion is Homicide” t-shirts to school. We held signs that read, ” Abortion Is Homicide”, along with pictures depicting “choice”. Literature on abstinence and child development were passed out to prom attendees. There were a number of students that gave us a “thumbs up” and were supportive of the actions of the “Anthony Wayne Ten” We also had the privilige of meeting Kristen Norman and some of her fellow pro-lifers. Hopefully, prom night for these seniors, will have a lasting impression seared in their minds, that indeed, “Abortion is Homicide”.