I Have The Right To……..?

Question

Twenty students living in Little Rock, Arkansas were suspended from school on Friday October 6th after silently protesting the school districts restrictive uniform policy by wearing black armbands to school. After the school district found out about the black armbands they violated the students rights of freedom of speech by disciplining and/or suspending about 30 students. What is it with our country that many incidents like this are happening all over? Not only are teachers and school districts doing it but law enforcement officers as well. One case dealt with a man and his sister being arrested while protesting at a rally in western Pennsylvania all because he carried a sign that read “The Bush family must surely love the poor – they made so many of us.” Another was a woman was asked to take down her political lawn signs because it violated a “Borough ban on political signs” and it would have to be taken down. These are officals who run our cities, towns, states and country.

What right do they have to tell us what our rights are. “We the people of the United States of America”, that’s what the first line of the Constitution says, not “We the Government who runs the United States of America”. That line “We the People” means that it is the people who run the country. We just elect others to manage our affairs with other countries, etc. “The Land of the Free” is another phrase that is not even considered as well. Why then are our rights and liberties taken for granted by those who we put in charge to uphold those laws? This seriously weakens our nation because we are not working as a team. Our nation is being split apart at the seams because our rights and liberties are being violated. ACLU staff attorney Holly Dickson stated, “When government officials try to intimidate people from exercising their free speech rights, and punish them because they don’t like what they have to say, it’s a serious free speech violation.”

She continued on to say “The students who had the courage to wear a simple armband are faced with failing grades and exclusion from school activities. Watson Chapel School District has had every chance to prevent this, but they have refused to correct their mistakes. These parents have no choice but to file a lawsuit to protect their children’s rights.” Can you believe this? Grade school to High school level students are having their free speech rights taken away from them. We need to stop this.


To everyone who had read this please help me to be more convincing. This is my first draft for my english paper on civil liberties freedom of speech. if you have suggestions i'll gladly accept them.
Thank you!

Answer 1

I thought it was a good report. I'm not really into politics, but it made me want to keep reading. You stay on subject and you prove your point. I liked it. Good luck on your score, I think it'll be quite high.

Answer 2

The question of school uniforms is a tough one. Schools banned gang related colors long ago and it was upheld by the courts. They also have banned drug related t-shirts and sexist and racist adorned clothing. I have more sympathy for banning gang stuff than other stuff. I mean if the kid next to me in class is wearing a "White Power Rules" t-shirt with a big swastika on it, I may be offended but does he not have the right to wear that? Even if I find it reprehensible, it still represents freedom of speech. Like burning the flag- a vile, stupid act that nevertheless has been found to be protected speech.
Much has been made about "it's a free country" but when the government (i.e. schools) can limit speech they deem unacceptable, where will it end? Freedom of speech is not unlimited; the 'yelling fire in a crowded theater' defence has validity. Political expression does not represent a threat.
Good luck with your paper and don't let those who tell you to act like a good citizen and toe the line get to you. You are thinking about what the limits of speech and expression are and that's fine.

Answer 3

A uniform policy is just that: a POLICY. The students knew that policy and they broke it. They received a punishment that was suitable for their crime.
Uniforms in schools are PROVEN to enhance the education of all students. By not having to focus on fashoin, students are able to focus on their studies. Social barriers are broken down since everyone is wearing the same thing. The student who was outcast because their parents couldn't afford expensive sneakers or the name-brand shirt is a thing of the past with uniforms.
So, by your comments, you think that uniforms shouldn't be used anywhere? The waiter can serve you at the restaurant wearing faded jeans and a Megadeth t-shirt? Your mailman? Police officers? What do you expect?
Students need to learn that this is a free country, but there are limitations. Some conformity is required. You can protest until you are blue in the face. But in the end, you're just a protester who missed out on a job opportunity, or perfect attendance, or the after-school activities, or anything else because you wanted "stand up for your rights". What about the rights of the students who can't dress in expensive clothes to be accepted for their knowledge and abilities, not their fashion designer?
It's not a matter of courage to break the rules. Is it courage when somebody doesn't put a quarter in the meter to park. Isn't it their right to park in a spot without paying for it? Seems silly, huh? Well, it's the same principal. Rules are rules, and if we teach our children that just because they don't like the rules, they don't have to follow them, then we are making a huge mistake. Oh, and guess what: if you try that stuff in the real world, like not wearing your uniform to work because you don't like it, you'll find yourself out of a job. But that's okay, because you got to have yourself heard.
Get with the program. Wear the uniform, go to school, become educated, and save your silly protest for a REAL cause.

Answer 4

Was this a high school? Technically, I don't think minors have the same rights that adults do. Protests like that can be disruptive to class. About the sign, there is an ordinance, so that is a non-issue. Funny I see this question. I watched "Kids in America" yesterday, and it dealt with exactly the same issue. Check it out.

Answer 5

Let it be known that in the phrase "we the people of the United States" they are not talking about you or I. In fact when the Constitution was framed "we" was merely talking about white males who owned property. If you have a problem with this take it to the courts and see where it goes. It would be interesting to see what the Supreme Court would say about it being either Constitutional or not.

Answer 6

I am speechless because of all the things happening in the world.