Posted on 03/05/2007 2:21:44 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
A California school has landed in court over its disciplinary action against a student for using the expression "That's so gay."
The case offers a lesson for Wisconsin's school officials: When dealing with teenagers and offensive language, a little common sense goes a long way. In contrast, speech police armed with inflexible policies produce unfair results and dangerous precedents.
The case at a Santa Rosa, Calif., high school began when classmates taunted Rebekah Rice about her Mormon upbringing, asking "Do you have 10 moms?"
Rebekah criticized the razzing with the phrase: "That's so gay."
Her response got her sent to the principal's office. She received a warning, on the grounds that she violated the school's prohibition against harassment of gays, and school officials placed a disciplinary notation in her file.
Her parents sued, claiming that the school vio lated Rebekah's freedom of speech. They also argued that the school employed a double standard in disciplining her for harassment but failing to shield her from harassment over her religion.
Complicating the case is confusion about the phrase "That's so gay." It has become a common expression among teenagers who intend it as a dismissive criticism, similar to "That's so stupid."
However, it is offensive because it traces its origins to a prejudice against gays.
A gag order imposed by the judge has limited the information made public. But the evidence available suggests that school officials made a mess of things with an overreaction to Rebekah's comment, possibly stemming from the beating of a gay student the year before.
Here is what should have happened.
First, school officials should have considered the event a "teachable moment" rather than an opportunity to impose discipline. Second, they should have aimed their education at both Rebekah and her classmates.
Officials should have warned Rebekah's taunters that their derogatory comment about Mormons was offensive and hurtful. Furthermore, they should have explained to Rebekah that while she may not have intended her remark to be a slur against gays, it nonetheless was.
Officials should have explained that hurtful expressions have no place at school because every student has a right to feel safe from harassment.
Finally, they should have warned all that future incidents could bring disciplinary action.
Harassment is a serious issue for schools. But that does not mean schools should become speech police. Schools should address hurtful language by doing what they do best: educating students.
This presupposes that public schools as they exist today are meant to educate instead of being 'my first indoctrination center'.
Well, no, I believe it traces its origins back to the word happy, then on to just being slang for lame. I know it was used when I was in school in late 70s/80s. I'm tired of people redefining what is and isn't offensive. I feel very sorry for women who are NAMED Gay.
Head's up: the next word they will deem gay-offensive is "drag", as in "Don't be such a drag" or "What a drag".
-PJ
Oh, for Pete's Sake!
Now they should just say, "That's so John Edwards."
Don't "ask" schools to be "speech police" ? Schools have been eagerly getting into that business in a big way for years. It is called Political Correctness.
Freedom of speech is the law of the land. You can be sued for misusing it, but only if it is slanerous or libalous, not because it "offends" someone. Neither the morman girl or the students who taunted her should be subject to any disciplinary action. I hope the leaders of this school get the pants sued off them
The schools whole actions were despicable and this PC crap has got to be stopped, soon.
That's offensive to Catholics, since it traces its origins to Saint Peter.
Sorry for mis-spelling slanderous and libelous on post # 8. Thanks.
LOL!
How about one from my Grandma, who always got things a little mixed up. When we got in trouble, she'd say:
"You buttered your bread, now lie in it!" LOL!
I thought "gay" meant happy, cheerful, et.(wink , wink)...so what's the offense?
Bookmarking this to show kiddos when they get in from school. Just one more thing they've got to watch.
Glad to help. I went through YEARS of daily deprogramming when mine were in school. *Rolleyes*
This is so ghey!
That's so gay.
If you have ten moms and no dad, would that be gay?
Is see someone has done his Homework. Very good! Class? Follow RobRoy's lead. He's totally Ghey! ;)
Person 1: That's ghey!
Person 2: Dude, don't use that word.
Person 1: But I'm spelling it g-h-e-y.
Person 2: Dude, that doesn't matter, it's still offensive.
Person 1: Well, that's ghey!
The South Park "Tolerance Camp" episode re-ran a couple nights ago. That's a don't-miss episode, on this topic.
Schools should address hurtful language by doing what they do best: educating students.
Educating students! What a unique idea!
Many seem more interested in indoctrinating students.
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