DeKalb Schools might have a consistency problem with the First Amendment.
Back in October, the girls at Cedar Grove High School in the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) took a knee before their playoff game. In a statement issued by DeKalb Schools, “If students should elect to express their free speech rights, we want to create and provide a safe space to do so. The goal is not to interfere with the students’ constitutional right to freedom of speech.”
I advocate for the First Amendment across the board. I hope the freedom of students to express themselves will be vigilantly defended across the political, religious, etc … spectrums.
STRIPPED OF HIS LIBERTIES …
CNN is a popular destination for school field trips across the state. Every year the 7th grade at Peachtree Charter Middle School tours the CNN studios.
This year when the CNN tour was announced, my 7th grade son Jaxon asked me if he could purchase an FNN-Fake News Network shirt to wear for his field trip. As an advocate for the First Amendment, I agreed to his request. He picked out the shirt he wanted and and ordered it from Amazon. His mother cautioned him that he might cause a controversy and needed to be prepared for that. He was fully aware of the implications of his decision and made the affirmative choice to wear his shirt.
Nancy took his picture this morning as he left for school. We received a phone call from the principal at the middle school this morning informing us that he was forced to change his shirt.
I’m disappointed by the hypocrisy of this decision. Some students are celebrated when they make a controversial display during the National Anthem. My student was forced to remove his shirt because someone didn’t like it. I defend speech and expression, even if I disagree, or it makes me uncomfortable.
Says commenter Max Baerman, “[This] could have been a great teachable moment about Yellow Journalism and the scathing and at times libelous editorials”
This experience is teaching my son an interesting lesson.
“Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice. Moderation in pursuit of justice is no virtue.”
So, you don’t support the school’s decisions at all. Thank you for clarifying. Curious if you support the district’s free speech statement.
Oh PCMS parent…have a nice night.
I do not support the condoning of the protesting of the National Anthem. Personally am glad that the team that kept their mind on the game and not worrying about supporting a protest started by a communist sympathizer, kicked their butt on the field. The coaches that kneeled should have been fired. Children should not be making political statements. Will always wonder if the school made the decision to apologize based on the fact of who the Jesters are.
I whole heartedly believe in the First Amendment. However, I think the parents’ decision to allow their child to wear this T-shirt on a field trip to CNN is in questionable taste and one that reflects the views of the 7th grader’s parents more than the student himself. What middle schooler comes to the conclusion that CNN is “fake news” without hearing it in the home? I think CNN is “fake news” only for those who disagree with their coverage and I find it distasteful that the Jesters would set up their own child to be unnecessarily provocative. It’s particularly unbecoming of people in their positions to do so. It’s ironic that they are decrying their son being “stripped of his liberties” while smearing a legitimate news organization (which employs actual fact-checkers) and provides information to the public … which is vital to a healthy democracy. I find the cynicism and lack of sophistication on the part of the Jesters to be truly disturbing.
If you truly believe that CNN, a mostly objective news source with real reporters who do their due diligence and research, is fake news and that is what you are teaching your children, then my question of your judgment is larger than your allowing your child to wear an inflammatory t-shirt on a school field trip. I will take this into consideration next time we are voting for school board representatives.
Stan and I do not always see the same on issues. Is this an issue that would keep me from voting for him? Seriously doubt it…. Without Stan on the Board how much information would the public get that is not whitewashed… No BOE member is going to be perfect but at least Stan is an open book. I would rather have BOE member who is like him than have a losing conniving backstabber like several other Board members. I know he will tick me off but I also believe that he is voting for what he honestly thinks what is best.
I’m not a fan of the expression “Fake/Faux News” and rarely (if ever) talk about it around the house. I do believe every news person and outlet has some sort of bias … it’s human nature. I’ve been curious myself as to why he was so motivated to wear this FNN shirt. I was fascinated by what he had to say. Apparently he and his friends have been paying attention to national politics. I’ll ask him if he would like to share his thoughts here.
Your kid wore it for attention
I have voted many times for you and your wife, thinking I was looking out for north Dekalb county in what seems to be a Board that is not always considering what is best for all of Dekalb county. I just want the decisions to be balanced. Having said that, I am very happy that you chose to bring this instance to my attention by your posting online, thus getting it into The Crier. If other candidates are available offering another choice, I will be happy to consider their qualifications against yours. Don’t politicize your child and don’t offend your hosts. That is just simple “courtesy”, something that as a nation we could us a LOT more of these days, but have all seemed to lose complete sight of.
You seem to be happy that I posted this online and that it made it into The Crier, but then you say “Don’t politicize your child”. Those two statements contradict each other, so I don’t understand what you are saying.
“Don’t offend your hosts” – I think you have the relationship all wrong. CNN is a business and the students are paying clients. We are how CNN makes money. I’m OK with Jaxon using a shirt to express his disappointment in the lack of integrity in CNN’s reporting this year. I wasn’t aware of the extent of CNN’s false reporting until Jaxon brought it to my attention. Thanks Jaxon!
What have you done K Wilkie to hold CNN accountable for their journalism?
Okay, we all get why you brought up Cedar Grove. We see what you did there.
Anthem protests are completely different than what your son (probably you) are trying to do here. CNN is a private enterprise holding tours of their facility. They have the right to allow you to come in and they have the right to deny you access. They also have the right to ask you to leave when you get there.
“But it wasn’t CNN who him to change the shirt.” Right, of course. But you know they would have. And there’s your angle, right there. He (you) wanted CNN to make him take off the shirt of deny him entrance so you could make an even bigger deal of this “story.”
What would you have done if he made shirts that said “Faux News” for a tour of Fox? No need to respond, we know.
Teachable moment!
Okay, we all get why you brought up Cedar Grove. We see what you did there.
Anthem protests are completely different than what your son (probably you) are trying to do here. CNN is a private enterprise holding tours of their facility. They have the right to allow you to come in and they have the right to deny you access. They also have the right to ask you to leave when you get there.
“But it wasn’t CNN who told him to change the shirt.” Right, of course. But you know they would have. And there’s your angle, right there. He (you) wanted CNN to make him take off the shirt of deny him entrance so you could make an even bigger deal of this “story.”
What would you have done if he made shirts that said “Faux News” for a tour of Fox? No need to respond, we know.
Teachable moment!
Tim,
1. What did I do here?
2. What is Jaxon trying to do?
3. I don’t see how the freedom to kneel during the National Anthem is any different than the freedom to say CNN is fake news. Are you suggesting that one is protected and the other is not?
4. Correct – It wasn’t CNN who asked him to change and they can refuse service to people (to some extent).
5. I don’t think CNN would have asked him to change his shirt.
6. Between you and me, I was hoping somebody like Anderson Cooper would come out and ask him why he wore the shirt. I thought that would be cool … granted Anderson is in NYC.
7. I defend anybody’s right to wear Faux News shirts … even to the Fox Studios. I imagine Fox Studios would too. My little man is independent. I give him leeway to figure things out for himself. He is welcome to wear a Faux News shirt.
As long as it met the school’s dress code and the code is consistently enforced, the student should not have been banned from wearing the shirt solely for its message.
On the other hand, it’s ironic that the Jesters are outraged over this issue as the message on the t-shirt itself stems from Mr. Trump’s own attempts to silence the media as it reports on his substantial body of lies and corruption. Effectively, the Jesters are upset that their own anti-first amendment speech was squelched.
The truly teachable moment missed by the Jesters was how mendacious, corrupt politicians seek to undermine a free and independent media. It’s so disappointing to see elected officials here in Dunwoody enthusiastically support Trump’s Big Government authoritarianism. What has become of Small Government conservatism when elected officials such as the Jesters support a national politician who embraces anti-first amendment authoritarianism?
And why would they support a man who bragged about grabbing female co-workers by their genitalia? That’s very worrisome given Mr. Jester’s position on the school board. What message does that send to our children?
Tim O’Conner, I’m just calling balls and strikes here. I’m as happy about grabbing female by their genitalia as you are about stained blue dresses.
“I’m OK with Jaxon using a shirt to express his disappointment in the lack of integrity in CNN’s reporting this year. I wasn’t aware of the extent of CNN’s false reporting until Jaxon brought it to my attention. Thanks Jaxon!”
Oh Stan, bait taken.
Please expand on that. Please. Because in my informed opinion – and I’m conformtable saying that, anyone who dismisses CNN as “fake news” is either:
1- misinformed by the President & his favorite media sources (Fox, Hannity, Lou Dobbs, etc.), or perhaps family &/or friends, willfully or not, or
2- Pathologically dilussional – like our President.
As I’ve said – zero problem with him wearing the shirt, regardless of why or whose idea it was, but arguing that the reasoning behind it is sound? Sad.
Try this – watch last Sunday’s John Oliver with Jaxon & have him break down anything he thinks is fake in it. He can be vulgar to some – but I watch him with my kids (14&16) sometimes, and if you aren’t moved to say WTF!!!!!!!!!! Watching Trump this year then you are living in the same parallel universe that the roughly 34-36% of those polled reside.
Mr. Jester,
You mistakenly assume that I’m a Clinton supporter. I was for G. H. W. Bush and have never supported either Clinton.
But thanks for confirming that you support a man who bragged about grabbing female co-workers by their genitalia. I believe that alone disqualifies you from service on the school board. Such foul, perverse views have no place among our children.
I’m no longer participating in this debate, but given the direction things are headed, I strongly suggest that Stan bail on this one. Let it go. Cut your loses.
Stay focused on the bigger issues- the low achieving schools, the fiasco of building additions to schools on tiny properties, the coming calendar debate (another Gordian Knot) , and the pressure on teachers dealing with the poorly delivered new curriculum, the RTI process, and our latest burden, data talks!
Was this picked up by any of the media (I just realized the irony, sorry) ?
And on another platform, someone compared the husband-beating Hope Solo to the “grabbing genitalia” comment.
She is an attorney. Thankfully I’m not her client.
Bill,
I’ll ask my 12 year old son if he wants to comment here and you can decide for yourself if he’s “Pathologically Delusional”. Question – Are you suggesting CNN didn’t run stories this year they knew were “B.S.” just for the ratings?
I hope my son wouldn’t be moved to use the language you suggest.
Tim,
I didn’t mistaken you for a Clinton supporter. I, perhaps, mistook you for somebody that didn’t condone Bill Clinton’s relations with “that woman”. Reread what I said.
I’m not supporting anything here but the First Amendment. I’m otherwise just calling balls and strikes.
Edugator, You’re funny. It’s unfortunate this convo has shifted away from civics.
Josh, Aside from The Crier, I’m not aware of anybody else picking this up.
Stan. Please let Jaxon post what he wants. Apparently he schooled you, maybe he’ll school me. If CNN ran stories, not editorial, but stories it knew were untrue ahead of time – I’d appreciate examples. If they ran anything they didn’t know was untrue at the time – but later learned were false & failed to correct or fully retract, I’ll take those as well. According to Trump’s Twitter just today they were plenty busy during his trip when he was “forced” to watch CNN.
Mr. Jester,
At no point did I write anything even implying that I condoned any action by Bill Clinton.
Simply because I noted your disappointing and inexplicable support for a man who has bragged about grabbing women by their genitalia you decided that I must be a Clinton supporter.
Unlike you, I find both men unworthy of my support. Obviously we keep very different company and have very different values. Your support for Mr. Trump is inherently antithetical to support for the first amendment and the dignity of women.
You may be attempting to “call balls and strikes” but you’re failing miserably. Rather, you’re revealing to the community some rather unsavory personal views. I will never understand those who feel that such treatment of women can be overlooked when selecting colleagues and leaders in the workplace. I find it dishonorable and repugnant.
Tim, You don’t seem to be reading my comments thoroughly or don’t understand what I’m saying. Please read through our thread again.
I would put myself in the place of the tour guide or host at CNN and before a word is said this young person steps off the bus wearing and insulting shirt about my company. That might make me uncomfortable. It also might make other students and chaperones uncomfortable. I am sure some of them have neighbors, relatives or friends that work at CNN. None of this promotes learning. For many people its their opinion only that matters and they forget to respect or listen to others. Its very different than how I was raised.
A better approach would be to have the student prepare a thoughtful question about a particular news story of concern or fact checking. That would enhance learning in a productive way.
To me its a bad call by the parents and definitely something to consider at election time.
Mr. Jester,
I’m quite clear on your position. In the person of Donald Trump you’ve presented to your son a man you deem worthy of your support.
Mr. Trump has bragged that he, being rich and famous, could molest any woman lacking such status and that she wouldn’t complain (which technically makes you a prospective, willing cuckold). He has also been proven to be a liar about issues as inconsequential as the size of the crowd at his inauguration and as important as economic policy, foreign policy, and national security. He is thrice divorced, an admitted adulterer, and has repeatedly engaged in dishonest and even racist business practices. From a campaign podium he pleaded for political help from America’s most dangerous post-war adversary. And when faced with the prospect of being drafted into military service he repeatedly sought to avoid such service finally claiming that he had “bone spurs” which prevented him from military service but not from playing sports. He bragged that he has never seen a need to ask for God’s forgiveness and he continues to support a child molester for the Alabama senate race. He falsely accuses the media of lying about him while repeatedly uttering lies himself. He bullies others online, mocked the disabled, ridiculed women for their body shape, and engages in behavior which we parents would not tolerate in our own children. And he praised neo-nazis as “fine people”.
This is the man who you presented to your son as deserving as your support and whom your son has embraced under your guidance.
I believe that we’re all quire clear about you.
This article is not a referendum on Donald Trump. My support for the First Amendment does not confer support for Trump.
I read the Crier this morning and was very disapointed to see the divisive politics that is damaging our nation brought to my neighborhood by two elected officials I voted for. While I respect your opinion that you believe CNN publishes fake news your choice as parents to send your child with a t-shirt insulting the people who invited him while representing his school is a much better example of where our country has gone wrong than news orgs. such as Fox, CNN and MSNBC that focus first on ratings and then on facts.
I suspect my argument will fall on deaf ears as unfortunately it seems like people on both sides of the aisle refuse to listen to anyone other than those that feel the exact same way they do and regurgitate whatever comes out of the news org. they believe is real news. Perhaps I am naive but I believe here in Dunwoody we can have different opinions without being divisive and insulting those who disagree with us.
The only thing sad here is that people have wasted so much time discussing a kid’s T-shirt and injecting their opinions matters far outside the point. It’s quite a jump to make all kind of assumptions about national politics just because a kid wore a shirt. The intolerance by some posters here is why many people don’t talk to each other. It’s one reason society is more polarized. It’s also sad to me that people that comment about this don’t say anything about the many school district’s issues that Mr. Jester writes about all the time. People are focused on the wrong things. I hope this T-shirt blog makes people pay more attention to the issues posted on this blog. Maybe the newspaper will post more blogs from here that should generate real outrage and not the phony stuff about a T-shirt.
Way to go, Jaxon. As someone who is far to the left of Obama, I say it’s great that you could express your views! But I’d like to ask you a question, Ms. Jester. I don’t wish to interfere in your parenting. Clearly you’re raising a great kid. But I haven’t heard much in this chain about whether this incident subsequently led to an EXCHANGE of ideas, a conversation. Does Jaxon understand that this nation will advance only when we get ourselves past clever, one-sided statements on t-shirts? They don’t accomplish much beyond provocation. They simply plant a flag in the ground. And this isn’t Iwo Jima. What we need in Jaxon’s generation is people who are willing to sit down with those with whom we disagree and explain calmly where we’re coming from. Then shut up and listen to the other side. I hope that’s happening, and I hope you are role modeling that activity in your public life. Best wishes.
Hello,
In case you have not seen the paper, this topic made the AJC.
http://getschooled.blog.myajc.com/2017/11/16/was-dekalb-board-member-wrong-to-allow-son-to-wear-insulting-t-shirt-to-cnn-tour/
Hello Joy, Thanks for the heads up. I noticed Downey is making this a referendum on parenting and not about civics. It’s the only leg she has to stand on in this discussion.
So what are y’all teaching your son?
Do you teach him how to look at news stories critically?
Do you teach him how to see through the spin?
How to look at multiple sources, multiple viewpoints, and somewhere in there is the truth?
Do you teach him that all of the major newspapers and news stations are owned by 5 corporations?
Do you teach him how to tell the difference between fact and opinion?
How to differentiate biases?
Do you show him how to find out if a source is reputable or not?
Or do y’all just scream Fake News when a news sources says something you don’t like? Because when it comes to telling the truth and obfuscating… CNN is by far not the worst actor on the stage.
Hello Sheva,
I’m not a fan of the expressions Fake or Faux news. Every journalist has a bias. I’m glad you agree with Jaxon at least to some extent.
You are AWESOME parents!!!!!
Stan, while your son COULD wear that shirt doesn’t mean he SHOULD wear that shirt. It would offend pretty much every CNN employee that works there. You should have said, “Jaxon, I don’t think wearing a shirt like that to the CNN studio is appropriate. You can’t buy it and you can’t wear it.”
Parents still have a say in their child’s life and sometimes, they have to make decisions their kids won’t like.
Insider, I hope a major news network can put their big boy pants on and answer questions from a 12 year old about the integrity of some of their stories.
The thread informs me that a LOT of Americans don’t in fact know what “free speech” is. To see things like, “Disrespect is not free speech” is incredibly disheartening. Of course disrespect is encompassed in free speech. And of course, there are times when free speech is going to get you into some consequences. Disrespecting a teacher or school administrator will certainly get your child some consequences. However, those free speech regulations are already laid out in the school handbook. My understanding is that there was no regulation as far as his shirt was concerned. Had there been, I’d be on the side of the school.
When I wore a shirt in High School that said, “I broke a rule, I prayed in school. I’m a real menace to society.” I did so knowing that there might be… erm… indirect consequences. I had already checked my High School handbook and there wasn’t anything in it that could even imply I’d get in trouble for it. Lo and behold, right before my 2nd period, I was approached by the Assistant Principal who informed me that my shirt was a violation of the rules and I needed to turn it inside out. I respectfully requested that he show me where in the handbook I’d violated the dress code. He harumphed and walked away. The next day, I was 2 minutes late to my first class of the day (First time that year). By lunch, I was called into his office and assessed a 4 hour Saturday Detention. I didn’t fight it because I knew that it had nothing to do with being late.
Sounds like the parents followed through on everything they should have. They warned their child of potential backlash/consequences, but also seem informed on the regulations of the dress code and knew their son wasn’t violating it.
@Insider
People are offended by dang near literally EVERYTHING these days. You can’t make your decisions based on that. Based on your argument, I could say, “The NFL players shouldn’t sit or kneel because it’s offending soldiers and veterans all over the country”. I’m not going to say that. It’s their right to sit or kneel. Disrespect and the Offensive speech is subjective as heck right now.
“This article is not a referendum on Donald Trump. My support for the First Amendment does not confer support for Trump.”
No Mr. Jester. The sentiment expressed on your son’s T-shirt represents support for an authoritarian’s attempt to stifle free speech. Know your history.
Sorry Tim. It doesn’t. Nice try.
“F-CNN” would be borderline distasteful and so it’s understandable why the school was concerned.
But the 12-year old had every right to wear the t-shirt that was actually worn, just as he has every right to wear a dunce cap to a college admissions office, or a flat-Earth t-shirt on a NASA tour. Free speech allows you to say what’s on your mind, be it smart or dumb.
https://fsmedia.imgix.net/18/f0/e1/43/de72/4766/9055/b8cf75870f73/screen-shot-2017-03-26-at-65654-pmpng.png
(I wonder if anyone will be wearing a “SANTA IS FAKE!” t-shirt at the school’s holiday play next month. It would certainly be within their rights to do so.)
Just as all those athletes have every right to kneel. Let’s be sure to be intellectually consistent.
Here’s a better question, why would any adult consider the opinion of a 12 year equal to that of an adult?
Basic child psychology, as well as human growth and development, have illustrated that 12 year olds are not capable of engaging in an “intelligent discussion” on a nebulous concept. Human rights are not simple “yes” and “no” answers. And if your son is capable of such, y’all are doing a disservice to him by keeping him in the 7th grade, and not promoting him to 11th or 12th grade.
No disrespect to your child, but ALL of us think that our kids are wise beyond their years. Multiple studies have shown that kids repeat their parents views in order to generate a please response from their parents. Middle school aged kids are uniquely succeptable to this as they are transitioning to young adults. They are seeking approval and finding their way in the world.
I applaud y’all for sticking up for your son. I disagree with using your son as a political prop- although I agree with Mr Jester’s initial reply. The teacher shouldn’t have had him change his shirt, it was in poor taste for y’all to allow him to wear it- since he doesn’t have an amazon account. The teacher doesn’t owe him an apology, as it places a 7th grader above the position of someone in authority- simply look at some of the riots against police for an example of how that’s wrong.
Parents need to be parents .
Signed
PhD teacher
For a site that is entitled Factchecker, you’d think at least your facts would be correct. First, your son was ASKED to change his shirt and he agreed to do so. He was NOT FORCED to change his shirt. So let’s go with your argument that you let your 12 year old CHILD make these decisions and you support those decisions, so why aren’t you supporting HIS decision to change the shirt when asked?
Also you need to read the DeKalb County Dress Code. Pay special attention to the last bullet point. Forget the “1st Amendment” argument, your son violated COUNTY dress code. So let’s keep things in perspective here. Next time you want “press attention “ try not to use your son as bait.
Kudos to you for letting your son pick his shirt and wear it proudly. I’m so disappointed that the staff in DeKalb County didn’t feel he had the right to wear it.
Well, sometimes I tell my children “no” to teach them lessons about respect. Taking a knee as a peaceful demonstration to draw attention to the fact that people of color are 7x more likely to be shot by LEO is a bit different than insulting a TV network. Next time just skip the field trip.
This whole situation is so contrived, it’s weird. Stan seems like he’s trying to make the story go viral so he can be some right-wing folklore hero. You should all take a few moments to reflect on how this kid was used as a political pawn by his maniacal parents.
Sorry Nick. It was all Jaxon’s idea. I’m not a fan of the expressions Fake and Faux News.
@Stan: my point wasn’t about whether a media company could put on its “big boy pants.” My point was that, as a parent, you should have told the kid that wearing a t-shirt like that wasn’t appropriate for the situation. Yes… he could have worn it. No… he shouldn’t have worn it. You’re the parent. Be a parent. Lead.
@Curtis: Adult football players are an entirely different situation compared to an 11-year old child wearing a t-shirt. They can kneel all they want. But they have to bear the consequences of their actions. (which they are.)
It seems as if the parents wanted attention….
Stan and Nancy you keep saying your son needs an apology. For what? You created this situation and this is the outcome you wanted. I am sure you are preparing your son for another bad decision.
@Insider: Seems like a CNN field trip is an excellent time to discuss the integrity of journalism. I’m not sure who’s feelings we are protecting by not wearing an FNN shirt.
@Samantha: Read the post. Jaxon came to us. He’s an independent little man. I give him the leeway to make decisions and figure things out. As a parent, I’m protecting Jaxon’s First Amendment rights and engaging people in a convo on civics.
I’m not a constitutional lawyer and I don’t play one on TV, but…
The first amendment applies to children in public schools or publicly supported charter schools. The SCOTUS decision in Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District notwithstanding, it does not, and never has, applied to children in private secular or religious schools. Children in private schools may be expelled for speech or attire that would be accepted in public schools.
Similarly, the first amendment does not apply to private businesses operating on their own property. Assuming that CNN had posted notice, CNN could bar admission to anyone wearing a “FNN” shirt. And, assuming that the school communicated CNN’s position to the parents in advance, the school could have required the boy to change his shirt and removed him from the field trip if he refused. In that case, the school need not offer any apology. However, if CNN had not posted a dress code notice or if the school had not informed the parents of a dress code in advance of the field trip, then I would fault the school.
Stan, looks like you got exactly what you wanted: attention. Ironically, a true “fake news” outlet has picked up the story.
Here’s what mediabiasfactcheck.org has to say about the Daily Caller:
Factual Reporting: MIXED
Notes: The Daily Caller is an American news and opinion website based in Washington, D.C.. It was founded by Tucker Carlson, a libertarian conservative political pundit, and Neil Patel, former adviser to former Vice President Dick Cheney. The Daily Caller produces sensational headlines and has a right wing bias in reporting and has made false claims according to Snopes and Politifact. (7/19/2016) Updated (4/21/2017)
They are calling your son, “Jackson,” a hero.
So whether it was your intention or not (I suspect it was), your child has been thrust into the national spotlight.
Kids learn from their parents. Something tells me that Jaxon wasn’t being a rebellious preteen when he asked you to buy the shirt.
Let me just say that I am very experienced at replying on President Trump’s Tweets, and Jax’s story has the other side triggered back to pre-election stats. Jax deserves an apology. I’m sorry you had to see such negative replies from people.
@Proud Teacher,
From the beginning I just wanted to let Jaxon express himself. His mother cautioned him that he might cause a controversy and needed to be prepared for that. He was fully aware of the implications of his decision and made the affirmative choice to wear his shirt.
The superintendent insisted recently that the school district gives students a safe space to express themselves. I stepped in when the school district decided that this safe space is only extended to some students.
Dear Edugator
Good night. Thanks for playing “I just don’t want to get it.”
Saying nothing here that hasn’t been said already. But important to reinforce the message. My first point is actually my weakest. Stan, you have done what many advocates of causes have done, and that’s set up a straw man, because your real argument has no merit. Your headline and you message are clear, “My son free speech was censored because the censors were biased against his message.” Your proof is that “other” free speech, politically opposite, was allowed. You then go on to shoot down your entire message by saying the teacher believed the shirt read, “F-CNN” which is obscene, and against the dress code. When she realized her mistake, she apologized. So, right away, you self-admit that there was no double standard. But even with this apology, you’ve now moved the goalposts to say that she should apologize to your son. Sorry, Stan. And here’s why. What your son did was incredibly rude. And you, as an adult, know that. He wouldn’t meet the president with a regular CNN shirt on, because that’s rude. He wouldn’t take a tour of a Vietnam Veterans museum with a shirt that read “Baby Killers” – because that’s rude. You should be teaching your soon the value of respecting hosts and guests, rather than resorting to bullying tactics. Unfortunately, this message has been lost on the adults in today’s society, and now we’re passing that neglect on to our children. Finally. You, of all people, are well aware of the Student Code of Conduct, which your son signed at the beginning of the year. In its Dress Code section, is the following standard:
The wearing of clothing, tattoos or other adornments which show offensive and/or vulgar words,
pictures, diagrams, drawings, or includes words or phrases of a violent nature, a disruptive nature,
a sexual nature, politically/socially controversial words or graphics or words or phrases that are
derogatory regarding a person’s ethnic background, color, race, national origin, religious belief,
sexual orientation, or disability is prohibited.
I think we can all agree that the shirt he wore contained politically/socially controversial words or graphics. Therefor, even had the teacher understood the true meaning of the shirt, she would still have to insist he change it, or she would have to answer to all the other parents offended that she did not enforce the code. Finally, Stan, perhaps the most offensive thing is that you are trying to make political hay, using your sweet son as a pawn. That’s shameful.
Hello @Brad, Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts here.
Straw Man – Bear with me here. I wasn’t on the bus, so I’m still trying to piece together what happened. I’m told that all the adults, teachers and chaperones, believed the shirt said F-CNN when it clearly doesn’t. Nobody actually reads the shirt or asks Jaxon about it. At this point it doesn’t matter, the district has released a public statement saying that the Student Code of Conduct says that “controversial words or graphics or phrases that are derogatory is prohibited”
Moving The Goalpost – This has never been about me or Nancy. It was Jaxon’s idea. I’m not a fan of the expression Fake or Faux News. He wanted to wear the shirt and he was the one yanked off the bus and forced to change his shirt. Don’t apologize to me, apologize to Jaxon. The teacher and principal said they apologized to him, but come to find out they didn’t.
Hosts and Guests – The students were not invited to be guests at CNN, they were paying customers like any Sally or Johnny off the street.
Baby Killers – Good one. War is hell. Perhaps some day a 12 year old will have the courage to ask questions and the adults will give that 12 year old a safe space to ask those questions. This 12 year old might be opinionated and ask very uncomfortable questions, but hopefully somebody from that veterans museum will sit down with him and talk to him about why they did what they did. (God Bless our Veterans … thank you for keeping my family safe).
Student Code of Conduct – Read the student code of conduct again. Let me know if it doesn’t occur to you why FNN doesn’t violate the code. Here’s a hint … when the school administration said the shirt violated the code, they fudged the code … here’s what the school district said …
I’m just trying to protect my son’s First Amendment rights. The Superintendent said, “If students should elect to express their free speech rights, we want to create and provide a safe space to do so. The goal is not to interfere with the students’ constitutional right to freedom of speech.” So, I’m also looking for some consistency.
I don’t believe they would have let him into the studio with that shirt anyway, and it wouldn’t have been a violation of any rights as it’s private property. And anyhow, a seventh grader really shouldn’t be this concerned with politics at his age. He’s got the entirety of his adult life for that.
I’m guessing CNN isn’t going to lock the doors, turn off the lights and pull down the shades if a 12 year old walks up with an FNN (Fake News Network) shirt on. They probably get asked 10 times a day about “Fake News”. I didn’t know Jaxon was paying attention to politics. He expressed to me incidents at CNN that happened over the Summer that I had completely forgotten about. I think he and his friends get together and talk national politics. He couldn’t care less about what Nancy and I are doing, but he likes sports and national politics.
Whether you believe it is ‘free speech’ or not it was not being respectful of the situation he was going into. If you want respect you need to give respect. I agree with your son being asked to remove the shirt. Unforuntately it doesn’t suprise me that you would advocate for something like this and it doesn’t suprise me that you use this to publicize yourself and wrap it up in ‘free speech’.
The little attention I gave to you before will be even less now. You and Nancy are a couple of clowns.
@Rosemary, I’m thinking either we protect free speech or we don’t. Dr Green insists that the school district provides a safe space for our students to express themselves. I’m looking for consistency across racial and political lines in how we apply our policies.
If the teachers misread the shirt, thinking it said “F-CNN,” then it’s completely understandable why they asked your son to take off the shirt. I’m a teacher and sometimes my students may try to sneak an inappropriate shirt that looks innocent until further scrutiny. Sometimes a shirt I initially think is sketchy is fine. I can see why a teacher would make the mistake, especially in the often rushed, often stressful moments before starting a field trip. They apologized. Why not just let it go? It’s not a free speech issue if the teacher sincerely thought the t shirt said “F-CNN.” Unless you’re thinking you were lied to by the school. Is that it?
Understood. But don’t apologize to me, it wasn’t my idea. Jaxon was the one yanked off the bus and told to change. Why not go to Jaxon and tell him it was an honest mistake, sorry about that. They refuse to apologize to Jaxon. Now the district is taking the stance that FNN shirts violate the dress code in the student code of ethics and are unacceptable.
I believe that Jaxon should not have made a decision like that however I do realize he is a child and will behave recklessly. The shirt was not acceptable to wear on this day, I am not against freedom of speech but I do believe that one should take into consideration all the effects and consequences their words and actions could bring. Had he worn something advocating another news network, that would be fine. However unless personally provoked he should not have worn a shirt degrading the news network.
For the incident regarding the teacher and the apology, the school shouldn’t have been rude to Jaxon and he did react respectfully and as someone in that situation should. Although I don’t know what the School apologized for, I assume it is unfairly asking him to change due to the fact that he did not violate the dress code. The teacher most likely made an honest mistake. I have also read through many of the comments and replies on this blog and in one of your replies you said that Jaxon wore the shirt as a reflection of his humor and belief, and I am not trying to attack your integrity as a parent by asking this, but were you perhaps biased since he is your son? Many children and teens of “Generation X” do have malicious intentions and attempt to gain favor with their peers by acting rudely, but they also maintain a facade of a pure angel who could do no wrong in front of their parents. So I think it shouldn’t be “he can wear this since he isn’t violating the first amendment” but “he can wear this because it is an acceptable and respectful way to represent his beliefs.”
I get why you’d be upset that your son didn’t get that apology. I’d be upset, too. But that absent apology doesn’t make this a free speech issue like you’re painting it to be. And you write that the ”now” the district is taking the stance that the shirt is unacceptable. Well, it’s a controversial shirt; that’s been proven these past few days. The bit about politically controversial clothing being unacceptable has been in the Code of Conduct since at least the beginning of the school year.
If FNN is against the Code of Conduct, why was he able to wear the shirt the very next school day?
If students aren’t allowed to act in ways that aren’t acceptable and respectable, why do we let students kneel during the National Anthem?
The Superintendent said the school district would create safe spaces for the students to exercise the first amendment and express themselves.
I’m looking for some consistency in the way we apply our policies across. I don’t think that’s too much to ask for.
Kneeling during the National Anthem to protest police brutality is apples and a kid trying to call out a respected news outlet as “fake news” is oranges. I would love for CNN to invite you guys on to have a conversation about what constitutes fake news.
@ProudTeacher – First Amendment – Kneeling and FNN, while different subjects, should both be protected by Freedom of speech. I’ll assume you know how the First Amendment works.
Fake News – I’m not a fan of the expression Fake/Faux News. People are people and journalists have their bias. Obviously CNN doesn’t have a monopoly on fake news. Given that CNN was caught this year running “B.S.” stories just for the ratings, they were definitely practicing it.
Conversation with CNN about fake news – Agreed. Jaxon was really looking forward to having that conversation with CNN. This whole thing was his idea. After yanking him off the bus and making him change his clothes, that thought was crushed. He’s only 12. Asking uncomfortable questions to CNN was apparently not going to be allowed on this trip.
Stan, perhaps when Dr Green said a ” safe space” he was referring to at school not in downtown Atlanta on somebody else’s private property.
@Tim – Then Green needs to be explicit about where the school district will defend the First Amendment and where they don’t …. which students at the school district have the freedom of speech and which ones don’t. Otherwise, like all other policies and procedures, they are in effect at school or on school property at any time, off the school grounds at a school- sponsored activity, function, or event, and en route to and from school.
“If FNN is against the Code of Conduct, why was he able to wear the shirt the very next school day?
If students aren’t allowed to act in ways that aren’t acceptable and respectable, why do we let students kneel during the National Anthem?
The Superintendent said the school district would create safe spaces for the students to exercise the first amendment and express themselves.
I’m looking for some consistency in the way we apply our policies across. I don’t think that’s too much to ask for.”
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Stan, I think I have found the flaw in your argument:
I previously commented that your son DOES NOT have the same right to free speech at CNN as he does at school. Since you did not reply to my comment, I assume that you are in agreement on that point.
Your son has the right to wear the FNN shirt to school. He DOES NOT have the right to wear it to CNN. I don’t know if CNN has any policy banning such shirts, but CNN would be within its rights to do so if CNN chooses. It’s NOT a “free speech issue” because your son DOES NOT have a free speech right while at CNN. (Remember the “No shirt, no shoes, no service” signs?)
If the school believed that his FNN shirt would have angered CNN, the school had the right to ask your son to change shirts as a condition for going on the field trip. I agree that this could have been handled better — the school could have made this condition clear to the parents before the field trip. However, you are wrong to conclude that just because he can wear the FNN shirt at school, he has the right to wear it anywhere. How long do you think it would take security to escort me out of the store if I wore a shirt proclaiming “Winn-Dixie overcharges customers”? or “Walmart exploits workers”?
As for your question “Why do we let students kneel during the national anthem?”, the answer is “Sometimes we don’t.” Students only have the right to kneel at public schools or publicly supported charter schools. I know of private schools where kneeling students were benched, kicked off the team, or even suspended. Private schools have also EXPELLED students for comments posted on social media outside of school hours.
No offense, but if a school board member doesn’t understand these differences between public and private schools, I think it raises a question as to their competence to serve.
Stan – answering your questions:
YOUR QUESTION: If FNN is against the Code of Conduct, why was he able to wear the shirt the very next school day?
THE ANSWER: Because you are a School Board Member, who has power over the schools, the principles, budgets and the rest. You are acting like a classic bully. You are using that power to go to the media, fanning the flames and calling attention to a private matter, in effect, threatening the livelihood of the decision makers because they had the hubris to do this to YOUR child. They have apologized for the mistake, but you want a pound of flesh. And the bigger question is, why did you allow your son to wear the shirt again when you were told is violated the SCOC? Also, how do you know for sure they didn’t apologize to your son? (And BTW, you can read very clearly that it is in the SCOC – why are you claiming they have secretly changed the policy? – it’s been in place all year.)
YOUR QUESTION: If students aren’t allowed to act in ways that aren’t acceptable and respectable, why do we let students kneel during the National Anthem?
THE ANSWER: You are employing your straw man dodge again here. First, there is no correlation. You son’s case violates the SCOC. Mistakenly in one way and absolutely in a second. Unless the kneelers violate the SCOC in some way, the school can’t discipline them. Next, the kneelers knelt after school hours on their free time. They would, for instance, have been able to wear F-CNN shirts while kneeling. But third, and most importantly, you make the absolute assumption that what they did is not “acceptable and respectable.” Many, many people would disagree with you, including me. Silently kneeling is both. Wearing a derogatory shirt which interrupts a class trip and interrupts the ability of teachers to teach is neither.
YOUR QUESTION: The Superintendent said the school district would create safe spaces for the students to exercise the first amendment and express themselves.
THE ANSWER: Absolutely. Learn from the Superintendent. It is up to the SCHOOLS to create the safe places for free expression, and they will do so in the proper environment and context. If each students attempts to exercise their free speech whenever and wherever they wish, there would be an unsafe environment for the children, and they would be denied an education. That is why the SCOC rules were put into place. Again, using an absurd hypothetical, should your son, during a lesson on evolution, interrupt the class, standing and reading the bible, with a shirt proclaiming “Evolution is Wrong! Teach Creationism!” that would be free speech, but it would violate the SCOC and disrupt the class. Neither you son, or any student, or for that matter, any employee has the right to absolute free speech as you define it. He signed the SCOC, and must abide by it. If you, Stan, (hypothetically and absurdly) one day stood before the School Board and argued that — name any protected class — gay kids, Jewish kids, black kids, kids who spoke no english, special needs kids — whatever — should be removed from the school system because they personally make you uncomfortable — something that certainly falls within freedom of expression and thought — you would be swiftly removed from your post. If I wrote a company-wide email saying my bosses are idiots, I would be fired. Freedom of Speech is not absolute.
YOUR QUESTION: I’m looking for some consistency in the way we apply our policies across. I don’t think that’s too much to ask for.
THE ANSWER: No, Stan, you are using a private incident with your bright young son to make political hay. There is consistency. But you lose your soapbox if you admit it. If you violate the SCOC, you will be asked to stop. If the kneelers wore shirts the next day that said, “I stand with Kaepernick by kneeling” they would be stopped. And let’s cut through the haze a bit here. Your real point is that when there is an issue close to the hearts of people of color, it’s allowed, but when a bright young white kid does the same, it’s not. I’ve avoided pointing out your code words, but what the hay.
Be a better parent Stan and teach your child respect. Teach your child that he can ask the teacher or petition the Super for class time to read and essay or lead a discussion on CNN, in the proper context, when other student feel “safe” about responding. You avoid these simple and obvious remedies because they remove your shield of victim-hood. You are not the victim, Stan. You have the power.
@MyTwoCentsWorth – competence to serve? Easy on the insults. Let’s try to have a relatively civil conversation here.
Free speech at private companies. – It’s not so much a freedom of speech discussion. In theory, businesses are supposed to be able to refuse service. I believe CNN should be able to refuse service to Jaxon if they so choose. That has recently come under fire with the baker in Colorado refusing to serve a gay couple. The Colorado Supreme Court said the baker had to service the gay couple whether the baker liked it or not. The SCOTUS sided with the baker.
I’m guessing CNN can put on their big boy pants and answer questions from a 12 year old about the integrity of their journalism.
Jaxon has the right to wear the shirt to school – The district administration said earlier this week he does not.
“Walmart exploits workers” – If you wore a shirt that said “Walmat Exploits Workers”, I highly doubt you would be kicked out of Walmart unless you made a scene. At that point, you’d be kicked out for making a scene and not the shirt. I thought a thought provoking question presented earlier in the comments by Bard was about the student who wore a “Baby Killers” shirt to a war museum.
“Why do we let students kneel during the national anthem?” – The “we” is the school district. I’m guessing most private schools have a different student code of conduct. And, it’s the difference between public property and private property.
With regard to your point that “CNN Should be able to put on their Big Boy Pants and answer questions from a 12-year old kid”
Wow, Stan, again, you’re all over the map here. Let me help.
First, obviously, CNN did not protest your son’s shirt, and I’m sure they would not protest any shirts or questions conducted on the tour. The bigger question is, why didn’t you ask your child to literally put on Big Boy clothes, and teach him about how to carry on a respectful conversation?
If your son (as you repeatedly claim) simply wanted to ask questions during the tour – then by all means – ask questions – why didn’t he? Or did he? They would happily answer them. And of course, because your son is in the power position (a preteen on a school tour paying for the tour) he “can” be as disrespectful as he wants. The CNN tour guide (usually a 20-year old college kid) must respond with respect. Imagine, if in response to your son’s question, the Tour Guide said, as disrespectfully as your son’s shirt, “Shut up kid – You’re drinking Trump’s Kool-Aid.”
Would that have been OK with you? Or if a CNN employee came to your son’s school on an invitation, and began the conversation with, “Before we get started, who here has an ignorant Trump-supporting dad who thinks we’re fake news? Go ahead – by a show of hands – don’t be shy.”
See, Stan, it’s difficult to have a meaningful conversation if one side begins with disdain or disrespect. That tactic is indicative of a bully, who wants to shut down contrary opinions. Just as I believe you are using your own position as a controller of DCPS budgets and policies to shut down arguments contrary to your own. Do these tactics sound familiar?
Don’t argue that CNN somehow was weakened by your son’s hilarious jab scrolled on his tee-shirt. You seem to not understand respect for others. A raise of the hand, a “What do you say to those who accuse CNN of being Fake News?” — The reply, “Excellent question – one we get asked a lot. Here’s what we tell them.”
See how that works? Discourse achieved, free speech protected, intelligence celebrated.
C’mon Stan.
Interesting convo more or less about civics and the First Amendment. This thread is old and long. Let’s continue this on my next Post about FNN/First Amendment/Student Code of Conduct.