Copy Link
Add to Bookmark
Report
hob35
..::::....::::::::........::.........:::.
| : ø ø : ~,~~
- (.) - : ø ø ø ø : /-)(
| t-file : ø Hallucinatory Oyster Burrito ø : ()=
assault : ø ø ø : HOOKA!
.:.....:......::::........:::........:::.:.
25 October 1994 Issue #35
Gtterdammerng vs. GlenOak High School
** Most people know that I had a lot of trouble with my high school
during my senior year. Here is an article I wrote for the EAGLE,
while I was on the editorial page, that kind of talks about one
of the unfortunate incidents I was involved in. Enjoy. **
While writing this editorial, I was forced to re-evaluate two
journalistic conventions. The first is a primary rule of editorial
journalism: "criticize the institution, not the individual." This
idea has guided my articles for the past three years and I have
concluded to continue adhering to it. The second is a personal
conviction: "refrain from using the first-person." Although the scope
of editorial writing frequently includes this style, I have felt that
it is a poor choice. However, I have obviously disregarded this rule
to facilitate writing this particular article, because it is partly
anecdotal in nature. Please remember that the following story is just
that: a story. It is written from my perspective and other versions
may exist.
While in a class that is set in the Macintosh lab at GlenOak, I was
typing an assignment for AP English. Many of the students in this
class utilize the advanced equipment for this same purpose. Upon
printing the assignment (which was a collection of my short stories)
the advisor told me to let her see it. I said no, since the stories
were for me and were snugly put away in my bookbag. An ultimatum was
presented to me: give the stories to her or be written up for
insubordination. I gave up the document and was promptly written up
for profanity. I was subsequently suspended. My appeal to the
principal was denied and as of this writing, I am dubiously being
recommended for expulsion.
This example illustrates two transgressions at GlenOak. First, that
students' right to privacy is severely limited and second, that
students' right to freedom of expression is also limited. The
document was for my eyes only. It was not for public consumption and
did not create a classroom disturbance. Additionally, regardless of
school code, the profanity in the document was used for strictly
literary purposes.
Fortunately, the Supreme Court disagrees with GlenOak's policies. In
Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969),
the Court rules that students are individuals who retain their
constitutional rights during the school day. As Professor Robert
J. Shoop writes, schools "may not be enclaves of totalitarianism"
under this ruling. How can a school prepare students for a democratic
society, he argues, through a dictatorial process?
Perhaps for both ethical and legal reasons, Plain Local should
consider what the Supreme Court has to say regarding students'
rights.
I certainly expected as much, but perhaps I am just cursed with undue
optimism.
`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'
Hallucinatory Oyster Burrito
An AUFHEBEN Production! support: tyrant: numbah:
"Why, I don't know much of The Seinsfrage .. DDE WHQ!.. 216.966.7453
anything!" -Eraserhead Radio KAOS ... Moonshadow .. 216.830.4657
_Submission Policy_: Hallucinatory Oyster Burrito is into subs!
If you write something - anything - send it to us and we'll get it
to press. For contacting HOB, see below.
Want to be a support board for HOB? Download ALL the HOB's and DDE's
create a file sig on your board, and let me know. Your BBS will
be listed. TO CONTACT US: Call the WHQ (The Seinsfrage) or you
can send e-mail to Bogus Nomenclature on Radio KAOS. Internet
address is coming soon!
`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'
-eof-
