by Zhaleh Breen
About You Editor
A couple of months ago, two students in Neuqua Valley High School wore shirts that said "Be Happy, Not Gay," on the National Day of Silence. The principle ordered them to change their shirts, because they were hurtful and offensive. The students then sued the school, citing violations of their first amendment rights.
Using the First Amendment as an excuse to peddle hate and intolerance makes a total mockery of it. Even though these students were allowed to legally wear the shirts, they should not have because it is wrong to discriminate against a group of people.
Had these two worn shirts that said something derogatory about any other group of people, such as Latinos or Muslims, than there would be no question of not allowing them to wear the shirts. It's pretty sad and pathetic that some people seem to think its alright to discriminate against homosexuals. This case should not go in their favor. What they did violates the Tinker standard, which states that students are allowed the right to free speech in schools, so long as it does not cause a disruption. Peddling hate and prejudice is a very big disruption, and should not be allowed.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
California Institutes New Law for Journalism Advisors
The California legislature and governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law a bill protecting journalism teachers from angry school administrators who want to punish the teachers for things that their students said.
This is a good step for teachers in California, now they can’t be fired for not censoring their students when there is nothing to censor. The administration can no longer intimidate students by holding their advisors’ jobs over their heads.
Students now are too afraid to publish articles that aren’t so controversial because they don’t want to get in trouble or get their advisors in trouble.
Only two other states have placed this law into effect, Kansas and Colorado. Even if other states have laws protecting their advisors’, none have such extensive laws like the said three states.
The rest of the 47 states should take a clue from these three states and start applying better laws into their legislature for high school advisors and high school students as well.
Emily Baugh
Announcements Editor
This is a good step for teachers in California, now they can’t be fired for not censoring their students when there is nothing to censor. The administration can no longer intimidate students by holding their advisors’ jobs over their heads.
Students now are too afraid to publish articles that aren’t so controversial because they don’t want to get in trouble or get their advisors in trouble.
Only two other states have placed this law into effect, Kansas and Colorado. Even if other states have laws protecting their advisors’, none have such extensive laws like the said three states.
The rest of the 47 states should take a clue from these three states and start applying better laws into their legislature for high school advisors and high school students as well.
Emily Baugh
Announcements Editor
Monday, November 10, 2008
Many People Oppose IDS Article on Anti-Semitism
Talia Shifron
To You Editor, Fused
On October 27, 2008, The Indiana Daily Student printed an editorial called “Praise for Anti-Zionism” by columnist Yahya Chaudhry that was seen as anti-Semitic. The article voiced Chaudhry’s opinion that Israel is a racist country and the United States would benefit from denouncing Israel. At the end of the column, he went on to make slurs against Jewish people and Jewish politicians.
Many people thought that because the article was anti-Semitic, it should not have been published in the IDS because a student newspaper should not be spreading the ideas of racism and bigotry. Some people also thought that the faculty advisor to the students should have used this as an opportunity to teach the students how to prevent racism, and not to be spread through the newspaper.
While it is sad that someone would write such an anti-Semitic editorial, the IDS still should have published it because of the rights of freedom of the press and freedom of speech. No person in this country should have to forfeit his or her first amendment rights no matter what. A better response to this article would be for people to respond by disagreeing with the article and stating why it was wrong. It is also an opportunity for teachable moments about the dangers of anti-Semitism and bigotry.
The IDS responded very appropriately with an editors note stating that the point of the article was not to promote anti-Semitism but rather to spark debate among readers. While many people may not agree with this article, the IDS still has every right to publish it. No person should be denied the right to have his or her opinion published just because others do not agree with his or her view. Argument and debate what make a newspaper interesting and keep readers’ attention. No paper should be denied this right including the IDS.
To You Editor, Fused
On October 27, 2008, The Indiana Daily Student printed an editorial called “Praise for Anti-Zionism” by columnist Yahya Chaudhry that was seen as anti-Semitic. The article voiced Chaudhry’s opinion that Israel is a racist country and the United States would benefit from denouncing Israel. At the end of the column, he went on to make slurs against Jewish people and Jewish politicians.
Many people thought that because the article was anti-Semitic, it should not have been published in the IDS because a student newspaper should not be spreading the ideas of racism and bigotry. Some people also thought that the faculty advisor to the students should have used this as an opportunity to teach the students how to prevent racism, and not to be spread through the newspaper.
While it is sad that someone would write such an anti-Semitic editorial, the IDS still should have published it because of the rights of freedom of the press and freedom of speech. No person in this country should have to forfeit his or her first amendment rights no matter what. A better response to this article would be for people to respond by disagreeing with the article and stating why it was wrong. It is also an opportunity for teachable moments about the dangers of anti-Semitism and bigotry.
The IDS responded very appropriately with an editors note stating that the point of the article was not to promote anti-Semitism but rather to spark debate among readers. While many people may not agree with this article, the IDS still has every right to publish it. No person should be denied the right to have his or her opinion published just because others do not agree with his or her view. Argument and debate what make a newspaper interesting and keep readers’ attention. No paper should be denied this right including the IDS.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Congratulations Principal Jeffrey Henderson
Ariel Boehnlein
For You Editor
When students were told at the Franklin College State Journalism Convention that two administrators had won Administrator of the Year, Bloomington North publication students whispered to each other wondering how to get their principal, Jeffrey Henderson, to be the winner next year.
However, the staff members were happily surprised upon returning to school to find out that Henderson did in fact win Administer of the Year.
We would like to congratulate our principal for his wonderful attitude toward our school's publications. He allows us to print what we want and allows a voice. He is a full supporter of our First Amendment Rights. He is behind our paper, our magazine and our yearbook 200%, and will never let anyone talk badly about us, or say that we did not have the right to print what we did.
We love our principal and we know that he deserves this high honor. Congratulations, Mr. Henderson!! =)
For You Editor
When students were told at the Franklin College State Journalism Convention that two administrators had won Administrator of the Year, Bloomington North publication students whispered to each other wondering how to get their principal, Jeffrey Henderson, to be the winner next year.
However, the staff members were happily surprised upon returning to school to find out that Henderson did in fact win Administer of the Year.
We would like to congratulate our principal for his wonderful attitude toward our school's publications. He allows us to print what we want and allows a voice. He is a full supporter of our First Amendment Rights. He is behind our paper, our magazine and our yearbook 200%, and will never let anyone talk badly about us, or say that we did not have the right to print what we did.
We love our principal and we know that he deserves this high honor. Congratulations, Mr. Henderson!! =)
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