ORHS censorship
I have tried to stay away from my political opinions on my blog. The recent events at ORHS (my alma mater) has made this impossible.
Tonight, my daughter brought home the censored issue. I have attached, below my letter to the school superintendant:
I am sure you have been overwhelmed with emails, phone calls, etc regarding the infamous recent Oak Leaf censorship. As many others, I have some questions/comments.
As a parent and former graduate of ORHS (class of '89), your comment regarding "not hiding things from parents" has me troubled and slightly confused...Why is it that the newspaper is only given to students, and not sent in the mail to all parents of students, like the PTA information?
Student newspapers contain the information necessary to assist parents in keeping communication open between parent and child. It gives the parent a window into the child's social activities and provides topics for interesting discussion.
PTA news letters do nothing more than reiterate to the snob parents of ORHS students where thier money has been spent and where to donate more.
If the newspapers were sent to the home, the parents would then have the opportunity to place censorship upon their child. In the end, isn't it the parent that possesses this right in the first place?
I am a young mother of a 15-year old daughter. I would much rather have her informed on her birth control choices, rather than her options for tacky tattoo locations. Please don't misunderstand me, I have a tattoo, and have taken my daughter to a tattoo parlor. By allowing the tattoo article, you have now glamorized body art. What are you thinking? I promise you, there are more ORHS students having sex than getting tattoos.
These students are our future, your future. Protect them by allowing their peers to educating them on important subjects. Yes, a tattoo will remain on a body forever, it can impose challenges in the work field and sometimes cause infections, but an unwanted pregnancy does much greater damage.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I don't expect a response, as I am one of "those" parents that doesn't quite meet the social standard so important to the ORHS staff.
Oak Ridge never ceases to amaze me. The city and it's officials have now claimed position as second to the whitest town in America. The southern baptist intellect, coupled with the ignorance that occurs when those without children, teach children, scares me and infuriates me at the same time. Maybe "No child left behind," should be changed to "School officials left behind."
Quote for the day: "My opinion is, if you're going to have sex, then be safe. There are so many things out there that can keep you safe." - Krystal Meyers, Oak Leaf Reporter
posted by Jill at
7:35 PM
2 Comments:
Way to go Socokitten! It always amazes me that parents keep their children ignorant about their bodies then act astonished when their daughter ends up pregnant. The best prophylactic for pregnancy and STDs is knowledge and self esteem. Together, those two things become a powerful weapon.
I have to applaud your measured tone and well composed letter. My reaction would of course have tended toward tire slashing and spray paint. You've set a much better example. For what it's worth, the whole debacle has proven a learning experience for the kids whose parents aren't thumping the bible. It's the hard way to do it, but hasn't the young one learned a lot about society/media/mom's who kick ass when they're pissed? Who knew school could provide such lessons?
By the way, the secret word is "kuabynkx". Is that on purpose? Do you set that to keep the riff raff and the poor typists out? I have no doubt that it will take me a few tries to get that one right.
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