Albany Teens Suspended for Wearing Crucifixes (Oregon)

KATU NEWS ^ | Feb 24, 2008 | Assoc. Press

[ReignOfError]

The courts have long accepted that schools act in loco parentis -- in the place of parents. A government may not stop its citizens from, say, Santaria-type animal sacrifices, but parents can prevent their children from doing so -- and so, by extension, can schools.

Besides that, schools have also traditionally been held to have more latitude to maintain order at the expense of individual students' rights than does the government to society at large.

Off-campus and outside school hours, students have the same rights as everyone else. While at school, they are subject to greater restrictions than when they're in a park or on the sidewalk. It's not that different, really, from acting a damn fool at a mall -- your right to do it, their right to make you leave.

[VeniVidiVici]

Sounds to me this principal is acting on his own.

We’re not talking about a ball caps, t-shirts, jewelry down to his knees or any other types of what could be called a display of gang uniforms of the day.

This is but a small, crucifix hanging on the kid’s neck.

What a load of BS.

[Global2010]

Yes

[endthematrix]

WASHINGTON (CNN) — The Justice Department announced Tuesday the government’s civil rights lawyers have jumped into a legal case to support a Muslim girl’s right to wear a head scarf in a public school.
U.S. to defend Muslim girl wearing scarf in school
Federal position will oppose Oklahoma school district policy

Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Alex Acosta said government lawyers would support 11-year-old Nashala Hearn, a sixth-grade student who has sued the Muskogee, Oklahoma, Public School District for ordering her to remove her head scarf, or hijab, because it violated the dress code of the Benjamin Franklin Science Academy, which she attended.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/03/30/us.school.headscarves/

[nyyankeefan]

the kid should have worn a hammer & sickle or a crescent moon.....he would have then been hailed as a hero and made the honor roll....

[Doogle]

The Latin Kings been wearing Gold (or yellow) with black crucifixes for years made of beads. In a sense, I can understand the principals concern about displaying (certain colors) items. I read other stories in regards to this incident and found out one of the kids admitted he don't wear the crucifix every day. Local police and surrounding towns and departments have confirmed colored beaded jewelery and crucifixes have been used as a symbol to show affiliation with gangs. It's a sad state, but for kids to wear certain "colors" in specific areas could lead to beatings and killings for nothing more than being there and not being familiar with the threat. With the current anti Catholic atmosphere I can understand the story as being just another example.......but again I not knowing the extent of gang related activity in the area don't know. It's just like I said...it's a sad state of the times. Just a point of view....

[beachdweller]

I personally know a kid who got in trouble for wearing a pentagram (in Georgia) until his pagan “priestess” showed up and complained to the superintendent. Now kids in that district can wear pentagrams. If they can do that, these kids should certainly be allowed to wear crucifixes. Even if they have school uniforms allowing reasonable religious expression should be the rule. Why harass kids for wearing a Star of David or crucifix?

[beachdweller]

I know what you mean, but this sounds more like a case of ignorance on the part of the principal.

[Doogle]

... sounds more like a case of ignorance on the part of the principal.

perhaps

[nyyankeefan]

I agree 100%!!! most times....the lib/dem left will only go after Judeo/Christian symbols....all others will get a bye in the name of diversity....vis a vis the kid wearing the pentagram!!!

[17th Miss Regt]

The Upper Room chapter of the Disciples gang? I know they had a series of turf battles with the Jerusalem Crips.

[Neidermeyer]

the kid should have worn a hammer & sickle or a crescent moon.....he would have then been hailed as a hero and made the honor roll....
****************************************************
He should wear a brown shortsleeve collared linen shirt with a single pocket on the left... or maybe a “Che” T-shirt..

Seriously ,, this has to be fought ,, sure it’s a small issue and the principal is an idiot but the problem is the continual erosion of freedoms.

[Brilliant]

In other words, only Christian religious symbols are banned.

[Marie]

Considering how low society has been slipping, the High School Principal should be happy the kid was walking around with a cross instead of crack pipe and stolen pistol.

Bingo.

[weegee]

Ban Mercedes from the campus.

[weegee]

There are clear and consistent rules. The same government that cannot ESTABLISH a state religion cannot PROHIBIT that religion EITHER.

The prohibition on public display on public property has now extended to personal expression as well. The words Jesus and God may only be used as profanities in the public school.

[PubliusMM]

A crucifix? That’s pretty lame. Someone needs to hound this administrator until he fesses up to the real reasons for the suspensions.

The simple fact is if the crucifix IS being used as gang-related paraphernalia, then the gang members will have much more to fear than school administrators. And, if the crucifix is being displayed for right and proper reasons, then this administrator needs to be dismissed from employment.

[Louis Foxwell]

c’mon, am I the only Freeper to see Dogma?
******
Not the only. It gets wearisome calling every liberal mole on their prejudice.
The principal was responding out of his own politically correct dogma. This is a blatant attempt to restrict religious expression in public.
The Christian gang is, after all, a mighty force.

[chatham]

I’d say , Have the Principal prove his accusation or get the hell out of the school.

[AndyJackson]

school officials have to make those calls every day.

Jawohl, Mein Fuehrer!