Pro-life elementary student's account of harassment

Jack Yoest at Reasoned Audacity wrote yesterday about Americans United for Life's work to protect the freedom of conscience of health care providers as well as "school-age children."

AUL is headed by wife Charmaine. Charmaine and Jack have combined chromosomes to produce 1 very cool and spunky pro-life kid, affectionately known as The Diva.

Yoest posted a video I hadn't seen, although I'd read the story, of their "union-backed local elementary school" administration's attempt to censor The Diva for wearing a pro-life t-shirt on American Life League's Pro-Life T-Shirt Day last year. Here is her first-person account:

I particularly loved The Diva's answer to, "What would you tell a kindergartner who saw your t-shirt?"


Comments:

Wow! C'Mon, little sister! You GO, Girlfriend!

I LOVE that she had a letter enumerating her civil right to wear that shirt. That is AWESOME!! I think she should have a shirt made in every color (and more in her size.) Maybe she could organize a "Pro-Life Day" and get ALL her pro-life supporter classmates to wear one of those shirts. Wonder what the principle would do then.

Posted by: Mita at June 16, 2009 11:07 AM


Happened to my kid, too. Different shirt, but same litany of events - minus the statement of civil rights stored in the locker (we weren't prepared). Transfered to a Catholic school. Best decision we ever made. Should have done it years earlier.

Posted by: dm60462 at June 16, 2009 11:09 AM


Way to go Diva!

It would be helpful if there was a closeup of the tee shirt. I can't see any detail; only the word abortion.

Posted by: American Phoenix at June 16, 2009 11:11 AM


The t-shirt says "Growing, Growing, Gone." It's got a picture of 2 stages of developing baby and a black square over the "gone" word. It was American Life League's design for the annual pro-life t-shirt day awareness camapign they hold in April.

Posted by: DC Comix at June 16, 2009 11:21 AM


I think the shirt says "going, going, gone" under the respective pictures. It looks like the first picture is of a very young preborn child, the next a little older, and finally an empty box representing abortion.

Posted by: Lauren at June 16, 2009 11:23 AM


Jill said:

"I particularly loved The Diva's answer to, "What would you tell a kindergartner who saw your t-shirt?"

(about abortion):
"It's where doctors and hospitals kill babies."

* * *

"I just don't want you to be uncomfortable", the principal says.

What she meant was "you're making me very uncomfortable".

This is one smart girl. She'll go far.

Posted by: Janet at June 16, 2009 12:32 PM


I'm looking on line for the "magic" anti-harassment document she presents to her principal, but I can't find it. I know I've seen something like it in the past.

Posted by: Janet at June 16, 2009 1:02 PM


Ah, to have half her courage!

Posted by: Brian Sullivan at June 16, 2009 1:05 PM


I love that shirt. The adult one is a darker blue color. I didn't get this year's shirt, though. :(

Posted by: LizFromNebraska at June 16, 2009 1:30 PM


"Magical piece of paper" from American Life League at end of original post -- sorry for the extra click thru --

http://www.charmaineyoest.com/2008/05/prolife_student_forced_to_remo.php

Cheers,
Jack (and Charmaine)

Posted by: Jack & Charmaine at June 16, 2009 2:31 PM


Jack (and Charmaine),

Thank you very much for the link!

Posted by: Janet at June 16, 2009 2:38 PM


Jack and Charmaine,
You must be very proud of The Diva!! I hope she continues to inspire!!

Posted by: Carla at June 16, 2009 3:37 PM


I ADORE this child!!! She is an amazing young lady with equally amazing parents!!!! The Diva ROCKS!!!!!!

Angele

Posted by: angele at June 16, 2009 4:33 PM


I hope I can instill in my children what this little Diva has learned in her short life! God bless her parents for teaching her from the very start how perfect she was to them. God bless little Diva. May her actions and words inspire alot more little Divas and more male "divos" lol :)

Thanks for this post so enlightening! :)

Posted by: Jacqueline at June 16, 2009 4:58 PM


That is one smart fifth grader!! You go, Diva!!

Posted by: Bethany at June 17, 2009 8:40 AM


I'm telling ya... it's kids like her that are making me have a little more hope in the future of the pro-life movement. We've gained massive ground over the past few years but kids in this generation are gaining it even faster. They're not falling for the lies and idiocy of pro-abortionists. Unfortunately, these children are the children of a generation of missing siblings, cousins or friends... so they know full well the impact of abortion. I'm glad to be raising a few "divas" like this myself and I can't wait to see how they're going to change the world for the better!!!

Posted by: Dirtdartwife at June 17, 2009 4:52 PM


Great kid! I have been fighting the prolife battle since 1979, it sometimes feels impossible to open people's hearts and minds to see the truth, it is very heartening to see a young person full of life, spreading awful the truth about abortion to anyone that has an ear to hear. Thank you for this clip.

Posted by: Charlotte at June 17, 2009 10:28 PM