Pro-Life T-Shirt Is Not Profane or Obscene, Student Says

CNSNEWS.com ^ | 3/12/04 | Susan Jones

[kattracks]

(CNSNews.com) - A Virginia high school says a student's pro-life T-shirt violates the school's ban on using profane or obscene language.

The shirt says, "Abortion is Homicide. You will not silence my message. You will not mock my God. You will stop killing my generation. Rock for Life."

An assistant vice principal at Denbigh High School in Newport News told the student to stop wearing the shirt, but with the help of a public interest law firm, the student is now fighting that order.

The Thomas More Law Center says it has sent a four-page letter to school officials, defending the student's constitutional right to wear his pro-life shirt. The Law Center noted that other students are allowed to display messages on their clothing -- including, in one case, the display of a marijuana leaf.

By no stretch of the imagination could the student's pro-life message be considered lewd, vulgar, profane, or obscene, the Law Center said in its letter to school officials.

The Law Center said it has requested a response from school officials by March 19. It wants the school to provide written assurance that the student will be allowed to wear his pro-life T-shirt to school.

Send a Letter to the Editor about this article.

[steve in DC]

"Pollution is Homicide. You will not silence my message. You will not mock Gaia. You will stop killing my generation. Rock for Life."

How does it read now?

I think the school will be OK with the message toned down like this.

[chance33_98]

When I was in 8th grade I wore a Jesus T-Shirt and often a button that said "The ten commandments are note multiple choice". This was back in the day (1979-80). Our bus driver was a cool hippie guy, teachers actually smoked in the building in the smoking lounge, and no one seemed to care about any of it.

I don't know how I survived it all :)

[Puddleglum]

You are exactly right. A t-shirt like that would not bring the thought-police down on the kid - how sad to see the censors of "tolerance" run amok.

[garbanzo]

A Virginia high school says a student's pro-life T-shirt violates the school's ban on using profane or obscene language.

The shirt says, "Abortion is Homicide. You will not silence my message. You will not mock my God. You will stop killing my generation. Rock for Life."

For those of you who are cheering yesterday's "decency" legislation - guess who's next on the list.

[ladylib]

Where's the profane or obscene language? This just proves that some school officials will make the "offense" match the rule if it serves their purpose. It makes them look duplicitous, as well as idiotic, but it enables them to progess with their agenda.

These people are contemptible.

[LiteKeeper]

INTREP - EDUCATION - PC POLICE - FREEDOM ATTACK

[freedomluvr1778]

The shirt says, "Abortion is Homicide. You will not silence my message. You will not mock my God. You will stop killing my generation. Rock for Life."

No, there's nothing vulgar or obscene about it, but I always thought the most effective message was "As a former fetus, I oppose abortion". Cuts to the heart of the matter, which is, "aren't you glad your mother didn't abort you?"

[Protagoras]

The only problem I see is that if they allow some messages they should allow all. Including messages that most on this site would disagree with.

When I was in school, no messages of any kind were allowed. The only printing allowed on any garment was the school logo. It didn't make sense to me then, it does now.

[EdReform]

Ping

[MeekOneGOP]

[Kuksool]

I'd like to see if the school applys the same standard when other students and/or teachers push the Gay and Planned Parenthood agenda in the classroom.

[Trillian]

The truth hurts.

[sarasmom]

Well, I see the problem!
The slogan included a reference to God!
"God" is not allowed in public schools.
If the student had redacted the line that referenced God, the t-shirt would have been unchallenged, or if challenged,easily defeated.

Actually, the "do not mock God" line kind of detracts from the impact of the message, if an anti-abortion message was meant to be sent.

IMHO.

[JenB]

I've seen this shirt. I don't like the wording. "Homicide" is too clean a word. Too Latin. Nobody ever yelled "homicide!"

It should say "murder". A nice ruthless word that doesn't leave room for doubt. If it said "murder", I might wear it. Until then I'll stick to the baby-feet pins.

[Mr. Silverback]

ProLife Ping!

If anyone wants on or off my ProLife Ping List, please notify me here or by freepmail.

[thoughtomator]

Come now, this is so silly... of course he shouldn't be able to wear such a blatantly offensive shirt, especially not so close to the school's opening performance of "The Vagina Monologues".

[timm22]

I wonder what the "school is for learning", anti-distraction-in-the-classroom crowd will have to say about this one.

Should be interesting.

[Alouette]

I wonder what the "school is for learning", anti-distraction-in-the-classroom crowd will have to say about this one.

One word: uniforms.