School Dress Code or Forced Political Statement?

I’m all for schools being able to enforce a dress code. I’ve written on here numerous times that no matter what you’re wearing, a school has a right to tell you to take it off because they have a right to dictate what is and isn’t acceptable. It really is that simple.

But what happens when the school starts urging you to make political statements that you don’t agree with and the options are one of two: Follow along or shut up?

Oakridge High School in Muskegon, Michigan, is one of many schools across the U.S. that took part in Wednesday’s “National Day of Silence” — an event promoted heavily by homosexual activist groups, which view it as a day to protest alleged discrimination faced by students who identify as “gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender (GLBT).” At Oakridge High, duct tape was passed out for students to wear over their lips as a way to show solidarity with homosexual students who are purportedly suffering in silence.

John Gardner is pastor of Holton Family Life Worship Center in Holton, a community of approximately 2,500 about 17 miles northeast of Muskegon. Pastor Gardner says his 15-year-old son David, a student at Oakridge High, was suspended for a day by the school because he wrote with a black marker “I’m straight” on a piece of duct tape and attached it to his shirt. He explains that David donned the message to voice his objection to the school’s participation in the Day of Silence.

“They asked him, at that point, to take it off,” Gardner says, “and David [asked] why do the rest of the kids in the class get to wear theirs and I can’t wear something about what I believe?” According to the pastor, the teacher then instructed David to remove the message or he would be “kicked out” of class. “And he said, ‘Well then, you’ll have to kick me out’ — and that’s what they did,” says David’s father.

The story is admittedly vague, but the message is quite clear. Compliance with the political message of the school is fine. Opposition to the political message of the school is not allowed (as evidenced by the suspension of the student). I’m all for an all or nothing interpretation here. If you want to say no political expression is allowed, then I’m okay with that. If you want to say all political expression is allowed, that’s fine too.

What I have a problem with is this school putting forth an overtly political message and asking students to either support it or shut up.

What kind of world are we preparing students for when we don’t allow them to express opposition while allowing others to express agreement?

One News Now via Stop the ACLU

[tags]school, hypocrites, tolerance, bullshit[/tags]

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  • Craig Cramblet

    This story, now being reported all over the world and commented on by hundreds on the internet is the one-sided “reality” of Rev. Gardner. I’m amazed that his account of what happened at Oakridge High School (including the remarkable lie that the school was handing out tape for students to show support for the “day of silence”) is not being fact-checked by anyone! The American Family Association, Focus on the Family and others are assuming that Rev. Gardner’s account is the (small “g”) gospel truth. It is not. Someone, please, contact the administration at Oakridge High School and get the rest of the story and provide us with accuracy and balance. Rev. Gardner- shame on you!

  • Craig Cramblet

    This story, now being reported all over the world and commented on by hundreds on the internet is the one-sided “reality” of Rev. Gardner. I’m amazed that his account of what happened at Oakridge High School (including the remarkable lie that the school was handing out tape for students to show support for the “day of silence”) is not being fact-checked by anyone! The American Family Association, Focus on the Family and others are assuming that Rev. Gardner’s account is the (small “g”) gospel truth. It is not. Someone, please, contact the administration at Oakridge High School and get the rest of the story and provide us with accuracy and balance. Rev. Gardner- shame on you!

  • maira

    i think that dress codes should be forced in schools

  • maira

    i think that dress codes should be forced in schools

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  • http://holtonfamilylife.com/ Pastor John Gardner

    Everything that I said is true. The children got duct tape from their band class. Whether or not the teacher actually gave it to them is besides the point. The point is the duct tape came from school supplies and the children were allolwed to put it on their clothing. The children then went from band to their next class wher the incedent took place. My Son did stand up for what the gospel preaches and for that I am very proud of him. We could have pursued and probably won a law suite, But we decided against causing a finiancil hardship on the school. It however is amazing to me that Pastor Craig Cramblet never contacted me one time to verify anything. But he is choosing to belive a one sided story himself. I give Pastor Craig Cramblet the opportunity to speak with David himself and he will give him the names of all the students involved. Pastor Cramblet, I would like to know where you stand on religious rights of our children.

  • http://holtonfamilylife.com Pastor John Gardner

    Everything that I said is true. The children got duct tape from their band class. Whether or not the teacher actually gave it to them is besides the point. The point is the duct tape came from school supplies and the children were allolwed to put it on their clothing. The children then went from band to their next class wher the incedent took place. My Son did stand up for what the gospel preaches and for that I am very proud of him. We could have pursued and probably won a law suite, But we decided against causing a finiancil hardship on the school. It however is amazing to me that Pastor Craig Cramblet never contacted me one time to verify anything. But he is choosing to belive a one sided story himself. I give Pastor Craig Cramblet the opportunity to speak with David himself and he will give him the names of all the students involved. Pastor Cramblet, I would like to know where you stand on religious rights of our children.