Posted on 12/12/2005 8:26:56 PM PST by lightman
Snowman shirt gets cold reception in school York Suburban bans item, citing drug culture link HEIDI BERNHARD-BUBB The York Dispatch
Unlike Frosty, the snowman on one of this year's most popular T-shirts has nothing to do with Christmas.
In fact, Mix Unit, a Connecticut-based retailer that sells the shirt, warns: "This snowman is definitely not for children."
York Suburban school officials agree.
The shirt, which features a simple drawing of a snowman with a threatening grimace, has been banned from York Suburban Middle School because administrators say it is symbolic of drug culture.
The image was popularized last summer by drug dealer-turned-rapper Young Jeezy.
The shirt has caused concern for parents and educators across the country, who say it symbolizes the man who brings you snow, the street name for cocaine.
"It's definitely not about carrot noses and hot chocolate afterward," says Mix Unit.
Letter to parents: The middle school sent a letter home to parents at the end of November saying any student seen wearing the shirt would be sent home to change.
"We are requesting that students not wear it because we have a policy on any kind of clothing that is disruptive to the educational process," said superintendent William Hartman.
Hartman said any clothing that promotes drugs, alcohol, tobacco or gangs, or "aggrandizes illegal activities" is considered disruptive.
"We respect people's right to wear whatever clothing they want to, and we place no judgment value on parents that might buy this T-shirt, but we can't condone clothing promoting those kinds of behavior in our environment," Hartman said.
The shirt became an issue at the middle school after several students wore it, although, Hartman said, he is not sure that students wearing the shirt fully understood its meaning.
Concerned parents alerted administrators, and the shirt was banned.
Hartman said the school has not encountered any problems "or belligerence" from students regarding the policy.
The T-shirt has not been banned from the high school or elementary schools because it has not been worn in any of the other schools, Hartman said.
Hartman said each school principal would address the issue in his or her school should a problem arise.
-- Reach Heidi Bernhard- Bubb at 505-5436 or hbub b@yorkdispatch.com.
Even when a person displays an utter lack of sound judgment through buying a garment glorifying the drug culture, the liberal educational establishment cannot bear the thought of breaking its first and great commandment "thou shalt not be judgemental".
What do you expect from a culture who idolizes drugs, guns, violence, beating women and raising kids on welfare? When society allows people with absolutely no respect for others, each other, or for themselves to set the agenda; what else should one expect?
PC-ness run amok!
I think my mother would have beat me senseless if I actually wore a shirt with a message like that on it in public.
Sheesh, she still probably would and Im 23 ;)
Now that's a killer wabbit...if the cord is grounded!
Yep, looks like a snowman, alright.
"I think my mother would have beat me senseless if I actually wore a shirt with a message like that on it in public. "
My mother wouldn't get it...heck I'm not sure i get it. Then again I'm older at the ripe ol age of 24 ;)
That's not a snowman, that's mr. hanky from southpark
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