Kids learn how to behave in school
An Everett Herald editorial was understandably frustrated at how competing values of freedom of expression and not offending people seemed to be in frequent conflict in school setting where kids sued schools for making them remove clothing with objectionable slogans. However, I didn't agree with their proposed solution:
Kids learn how to behave in school
You wrote: "Let's try common sense: Forbid clothing that bears any kind of message (beyond what a stylin' dresser you are). Students would be forced to express their opinions through speech or writing, or keep it to themselves."
The lesson kids will learn from this is that if you don't express yourself in the accepted way, you should just keep to yourself. Our nation has been there, done that. It was called corporate America in the 1950s.
What about lapel pins and buttons that express a point of view or pride of membership? What about silkscreen art? Do we really want to suppress that kind of expression in school?
You identified the problem as one of rudeness and offensiveness in the way students exercise free speech. Maybe instead of running away from the problem by banning methods of expression, schools would do better to make civility in political expression part of the lesson plan. God knows our nation could use some of that right now.
Kids learn how to behave in school. Do you want them to take into adulthood:
1) Exercise freedom of expression in accepted ways or keep your opinions to yourself. OR
2) Be creative in how you express yourself, but recognize that we all depend upon each other to have a productive functioning society. People have feelings. They are more likely to try to understand and may even embrace your point of view if you can show them that you are working toward a common goal and that your idea helps you both get there. You don't get there by offending them.
But then, again, maybe I'm naive to think kids would do the right thing if they're taught and discuss how to use free expression wisely. Perhaps freedom of expression and all the risks of offending people and creating disorder it entails is just too much for our society.
Kids learn how to behave as adults -- in school.
Kids learn how to behave in school
You wrote: "Let's try common sense: Forbid clothing that bears any kind of message (beyond what a stylin' dresser you are). Students would be forced to express their opinions through speech or writing, or keep it to themselves."
The lesson kids will learn from this is that if you don't express yourself in the accepted way, you should just keep to yourself. Our nation has been there, done that. It was called corporate America in the 1950s.
What about lapel pins and buttons that express a point of view or pride of membership? What about silkscreen art? Do we really want to suppress that kind of expression in school?
You identified the problem as one of rudeness and offensiveness in the way students exercise free speech. Maybe instead of running away from the problem by banning methods of expression, schools would do better to make civility in political expression part of the lesson plan. God knows our nation could use some of that right now.
Kids learn how to behave in school. Do you want them to take into adulthood:
1) Exercise freedom of expression in accepted ways or keep your opinions to yourself. OR
2) Be creative in how you express yourself, but recognize that we all depend upon each other to have a productive functioning society. People have feelings. They are more likely to try to understand and may even embrace your point of view if you can show them that you are working toward a common goal and that your idea helps you both get there. You don't get there by offending them.
But then, again, maybe I'm naive to think kids would do the right thing if they're taught and discuss how to use free expression wisely. Perhaps freedom of expression and all the risks of offending people and creating disorder it entails is just too much for our society.
Kids learn how to behave as adults -- in school.
posted by Glenn Harvey at 7:14 PM
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