Winona teen tests the limits of free speech at school (Winona vagina girl update!)

Mpls Star & Sickle ^ | 5-3-05 | James Walsh

[Rakkasan1]

WINONA, Minn. -- After all the radio interviews, after all the newspaper stories and television stories and hundreds and hundreds of e-mails, Carrie Rethlefsen ended her lesson in free speech and democracy today by doing a simple thing:

She walked into school with her "I [heart] My Vagina" T-shirt's message in plain sight. About 40 classmates had walked in just seconds before after turning their T-shirts inside out.

And, minutes later, she emerged with another lesson learned. The administrators at Winona Senior High School mean what they say. They sent her home for the day.

"I'm happy," said Rethlefsen, 18. "I got my message out there."

What began as a simple act of defiance -- she wore a "I [heart] My Vagina" button to school to raise awareness about violence against women, even after officials told her not to -- evolved into a platform to talk about women's rights, the fight against violence and freedom of speech that she couldn't have imagined two weeks ago.

[John Jorsett]

If a male did the equivalent thing in the workplace, he'd be accused of contributing to a "hostile work environment" and probably fired.

[Celtjew Libertarian]

Or we can keep it simple: "So does everyone else."

[blackdog]

If you love and respect yourself, I think the vagina is included. Declaring it on a tee-shirt is redundant.

[Nam Vet]

Where is Testacles whe you need him?

Nam Vet

[blackdog]

Keyboard cleanup.....Excellent one liner my friend.

[CT CONSERVATIVE]

O'Reilly just had an idiot woman on defending the Vagina button and the girl. I wrote Bill saying: " I wonder if that idiot woman would be as tolerant if the boys had buttons or shirts saying "I love your vagina too" or maybe "I love my penis, do you?" I don't expect to get my letter aired but it is "pithy". Well then you heard that idiot doc say "I'd rather they wore these things then get in the car with some drunk" DUMB DUMB DUMB

[MikefromOhio]

We had a guy running around my senior year with the "Would you like to touch me lucky charm?" T shirt...

It was hilarious then, and now that I think about it, hilarious now.

Unlike this case, he was just doing it because he was that type of guy, funny. This girl has some issues....

[Lizavetta]

No kidding.

How can a sane person LOVE a body part?

[expatguy]

I now completely aware now that she has a vagina and loves it.

And Im glad that she let me know.

Does everyone else get it?

[clyde asbury]

"I'd rather they wore these things then get in the car with some drunk"

I know it's just a typo, and I'm not poking fun at you - but that's pretty funny.

[CT CONSERVATIVE]

LOL great catch! like Art Linkletter always said: Kids say the darnest things...TY

[freedumb2003]

There is another thread about a countr protest.

They have a large phallius -- "Testaclese." Apparently the Provost (or somesuch) thought he was a mushroom.

You gotta love that name!

[Mister Baredog]

There's a George Bush horse joke somewhere in here, I just know it....

Keep digging, it's in there somewhere, LOL.

[Nam Vet]

I especially liked the part about Testacles relaxing and reading Michael Barone's, "Hard America, Soft America". LOL

Nam Vet

[Rakkasan1]

rumor has it her mom is a local college professor-
can you guess the field of "study"...? class...anyone?

[Mister Baredog]

From the Wisconsin website

WTF?

UNREAL

[Dad yer funny]

yeah ,...I'm no soothsayer ,but , years from now , I can see her kids' classmates serving some nasty comments ,OUCHies , thanks Mom

[clyde asbury]

[Hildy]

geez, now that you tell me that, I'll have to assume it was her mother who gave her the button.

[CT CONSERVATIVE]

rumor has it her mom is a local college professor- can you guess the field of "study"...? class...anyone? Uhhhh Home EC? Library Science, Ancient Music?