My oldest daughter was sent home from school once for wearing an orange scarf her grandmother gave her. To her it was just an accessory. To the school authorities, it was a possible gang marker.
I made the decision that she would not wear the scarf to school -
not because I agreed with the school, but because if wearing orange marked her as a gang member
even though she wasn't, I didn't want her endangered.
I repeat, an accessory is not free speech, it's just a scarf (or necklace). And I don't think it's a "Hate America" move, considering that they apparently did not have a problem with the girl's shirt.
...now, if there was a cross hanging from her necklace...As Raven's mom I would really like to update you: for one there was a snow day when she had the shirt one, flags are not allowed by student's. she has had 4 family members in Iraq, One has been at Walter Reed for 9 months, 22yr old trying to regain the use of his hands. So I wanted to update you on what is also considered gang related,
Colors, blue, red orange pink and black, white t-shirts, black and white,purple, yellow I can continue, however it seems lately almost all colors. Hats and baseball caps, Hair styles and color, professional sports team jackets (same color as gang, nickname, ect. In this case the Patriots, school name and same colors.) Baggy clothing combat-style clothing, fatigues (as worn in Iraq, US Army).
Sweatshirts layered in more than one(hope you don't live in New York, below zero today, but can't wear 2 sweatshirts.) Sweaters that are color of gangs, (I have a black one) T-shirts(white,pro-sports team ones) Gloves with the fingers cut out, belt buckles, worn on certain side of the pants but I have clue what side, so out it goes, Pant legs rolled up, or shirt cuffs, Don't put white hankerchief in that jean pocket, gang all the way, gym shoes(depending on name), school IDS depending on color, shoe or roller skate laces, hand signals(like the president daughter used during the Inaugeration)Business cards, in gang colors, Bandanas, Jewelry,(including but not limited to rings, pins, pendants, and earrings,excessive amount of gold, jelly bracelets, dressing in two or more colors, pagers and cell phones, possessing large amounts of money, Excessive swearing, rebellion, curfew violations but it also says:
A CURRENT DRESS TREND OR STYLE MAY BE ADOPTED BY GANGS, BUT YOUNG PEOPLE DRESSING LIKE THIS DOES NOT NECESSARILY INDICATEDE THAT THEY ARE GANG MEMBERS. With all of the above how CAN WE POSSIBLE KNOW WHAT TO PUT OUR CHILDREN IN.
here is also 1 paragrah sent home in letter on 1/14, and I quote: "It is regrettable taht we have to ban colored beads, but that is reality in 2005. Because of one bad person who tried to ignite his shoes on an airplane, we may be asked to remove our shoes for inspection at airports before boarding a flight. it is an inconvenience and an infringement, but we do it because it is in the interest of public saftey" GREAT ANALOGY