Superintendent warns against 'inappropriate comments'

[alienlovechild 75]

Superintendent warns against 'inappropriate comments'

Bright sends out e-mail to Mason parents in advance of Inauguration Day.

By Eric Schwartzberg and Marie Rossiter

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Mason school officials said they are taking a proactive educational approach in advance of next week's planned Inauguration Day activities.

"Inappropriate comments that may make other students, staff or families feel unwelcome or uncomfortable in school or on the bus will not be tolerated," Superintendent Kevin Bright said in an e-mail sent to parents Monday, Jan. 12.

The district, he said, expects students and staff to show respect for President-elect Obama and the incoming administration, as well as President Bush and the outgoing administration, and recognize that "while the election is a competitive process, our nation's greatness is displayed when all sides come together for a united country."

Jeff Schlaeger, Mason High School's psychologist, said "inappropriate comments" occurred around election week when doctored pictures of Obama appeared at the school, including "derogatory caricatures" of him dressed like a terrorist and signs that read "Obama '08/Biden '09."

"There were groups of students that were worked up over the results of the election," said Schlaeger, who is a member of the district's racial equity committee and curriculum organizer for MHS Freshman Diversity Week.

The school is offering a variety of events for students at every grade level, ranging from letter-writing and books, to videos, reflection and watching the inauguration itself, Bright said in the e-mail.

"We're attempting to take a more proactive approach now and, first of all, celebrate the passing of power in our country and at the same time also celebrate this historic inauguration and the election of our first African-American president," Bright said during an interview Tuesday.

Warren County Commissioner Dave Young, who has three children in the school district, said he questions an "inappropriate comments" policy based on what makes someone feel "unwelcome or uncomfortable."

"It's not 'We're discouraging you from saying those (comments)' it's 'It won't be tolerated,' " Young said. "That's a very dangerous precedent."

http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/o...=7&cxcat=16

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

free speech.... progressive style

[pedroh 21]

i think that's better than scripted conferences like Bush did..

[luckytxn 2,264]

And everyone is surprised by this? Free speech died under the banner of political correctness long ago.

[Ban Hammer 13,347]

Edited January 19, 2009 by charles!

[Niels Bohr 72]

And everyone is surprised by this? Free speech died under the banner of political correctness long ago.

No Sh!t sherlock!

Some things deserves to be honored where freedom of speech can be limited. Whether it's against the law or not, it's still wrong to walk in a cemetery and start to slur things at people's grave. Just like at the wake, who says you can't say f*cktard to the body. Just be careful when there's alot of people.

[Jasman0717 9]

political correctness

ugh

[Scott & Lai 12]

Would anyone care to tell us where in the Constitution the right to be free from ever being made to feel uncomfortable or unwelcome can be found?

And what if pro-Obama comments make someone uncomfortable? Will those comments be tolerated??

[Niels Bohr 72]

There is nobody stopping to slur derogatory things out. However, it's a little immature to do so, and also disrespectful at any type of historical event that has nothing to do with the inauguration. I wouldn't be surprise if that person receive death threats. They know what's coming.

Edited January 19, 2009 by Niels Bohr

[Peikko 1,575]

Superintendent warns against 'inappropriate comments'

Bright sends out e-mail to Mason parents in advance of Inauguration Day.

By Eric Schwartzberg and Marie Rossiter

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Mason school officials said they are taking a proactive educational approach in advance of next week's planned Inauguration Day activities.

"Inappropriate comments that may make other students, staff or families feel unwelcome or uncomfortable in school or on the bus will not be tolerated," Superintendent Kevin Bright said in an e-mail sent to parents Monday, Jan. 12.

The district, he said, expects students and staff to show respect for President-elect Obama and the incoming administration, as well as President Bush and the outgoing administration, and recognize that "while the election is a competitive process, our nation's greatness is displayed when all sides come together for a united country."

Jeff Schlaeger, Mason High School's psychologist, said "inappropriate comments" occurred around election week when doctored pictures of Obama appeared at the school, including "derogatory caricatures" of him dressed like a terrorist and signs that read "Obama '08/Biden '09."

"There were groups of students that were worked up over the results of the election," said Schlaeger, who is a member of the district's racial equity committee and curriculum organizer for MHS Freshman Diversity Week.

The school is offering a variety of events for students at every grade level, ranging from letter-writing and books, to videos, reflection and watching the inauguration itself, Bright said in the e-mail.

"We're attempting to take a more proactive approach now and, first of all, celebrate the passing of power in our country and at the same time also celebrate this historic inauguration and the election of our first African-American president," Bright said during an interview Tuesday.

Warren County Commissioner Dave Young, who has three children in the school district, said he questions an "inappropriate comments" policy based on what makes someone feel "unwelcome or uncomfortable."

"It's not 'We're discouraging you from saying those (comments)' it's 'It won't be tolerated,' " Young said. "That's a very dangerous precedent."

http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/o...=7&cxcat=16

Appropriate emphasis on what the school is working on.

As for freedom of speech? Well, some things are not tolerated regardless of free speech - we are not free for example to call people n*****s or w**s. That's one freedom I am not missing. I am sure criticism of Obama's presidential actions are quite within school policy.

Still, it seems that some people just can't tolerate anything Obama related, more fool you is what I say.

Ok, why did this site allow me to write the n and the w word? I thought they were auto zapped!

Edited January 19, 2009 by Madame Cleo

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

As for freedom of speech? Well, some things are not tolerated regardless of free speech - we are not free for example to call people niggers or wogs.

Actually, we are free to say that.

Obviously not in school, but there's no law that stops me from walking up to someone calling them either of those (or other) terms.

That more people don't do so is not because it's illegal, but because racism has become culturally unacceptable. Justifiably so.

[Peikko 1,575]

Not tolerated is the key, no?

And this is a school...

Edited January 19, 2009 by Madame Cleo

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I thought that if you did so, you could be cited for hate crimes, particularly on government property - is that not so?

No, hate crime law requires an actual crime be committed, the slur can then be used as evidence that hate was a motivating factor. I can safely walk up to you and call you a cracker.

[Peikko 1,575]

Stop getting my comments before I have edited them, damn you!

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Not tolerated is the key, no?

Your statement, which I responded to, was about it being illegal in general.

I agree it's not tolerated and shouldn't be. I also agree that schools and private companies can have their own 'codes of conduct' and can enforce them.