Posted on 10/31/2013 11:54:26 AM PDT by Borges
Highland Park High School senior Marshon Sanders was pulled from classes on Halloween, a traditional costume day for students, after dressing like Jesus.
According to Sanders’ mother, Angenetta Frison, some teachers found his costume offensive. He was readmitted to school after changing out of the costume, Frison said.
Sanders’ costume included a long, white robe, red sash, head scarf and a cross necklace.
Frison said she didn’t question her son’s choice of costume when he left for school.
“I encouraged him to dress as someone inspiring or uplifting,” Frison said.
But the costume ran a foul of school policy, which states that costumes that “could be offensive or perpetuate a stereotype of someone’s culture, gender, sexual orientation, heritage or religion are not permitted.”
Melinda Vajdic, the school’s director of communications, said the costume could be interpreted as poking fun or perpetuating a “religious stereotype.”
“Costumes trivialize,” Vajdic said. “I’m sure that wasn’t his intent, but we want to maintain a culture of mutual respect.”
Frison said she was told by a dean that two teachers complained that the costume was offensive.
“When I asked her what she meant by offensive, she couldn’t tell me,” Frison said. “He’s walking around dressed like Jesus, a religious icon. What’s offensive about that?”
Sanders was first informed he had to take off the large cross he wore around his neck before he could return to class, but was later instructed to remove the entire costume, Frison said.
Frison and her son are members of Jesus Name Apostolic Church in Waukegan. Sanders also attends Willow Creek Community Church in Barrington.
Last Halloween, Sanders dressed up as the rap artist formerly known as Snoop Dogg.
“They didn’t have a problem with that,” Frison said.
Should have dressed like MoHammad.
If Obama had a son...
Damn Christophobic commies.
He looks like a Saudi.
Funny how liberals can tell us what Jesus looked like but there are few in all of Christianity that would even approach the subject.
I’ve always asked my self (and others), what do you do when you get to Heaven and God looks like Danny DeVito?
Or Zombie Jesus!
If he had come as a leather-clad cross-dressing dominatrix, he would have won Best Costume.
If you dress like mohammed, do you bring a doll to represent Aisha?
I hope they expel all the little Hispanic boys named “Jesus” too.
It’s only fair.
Good idea. Put it over the top. But some of those liberal teachers wouldn’t know what it meant.
Jesus wore a cross medallion?
Just about any costume could be offensive to anyone. For example, what if someone walks around looking like an older conservative christian married white male? After all, that would be highly offensive to liberals because of white privilege.
I can't think of any conceivable costume which wouldn't arguably fit within this definition if some were to arbitrarily declare they found it "offensive". They might as well just say "any costume we don't like"
He should have dressed like Mohammad. That would have earned him praise.
He should have told them he was dressed as Pontius Pilate. Then they would have patted him on the back and let him go.
Hope you don't start talking and acting like Rev. Jim..............
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.