Hi folks.
My story starts with my friend, I'll call him D. He's frickin awesome l33t, originally from Mexico, and can speak spanish very well. Occasionaly, he goes back to Mexico, maybe for a month in the summer, and even returns with gifts for people.
He bought himself a T-shirt there, too.
Here is D's english translation of the original spanish T-shirt:
FRONT: In case of fire, read back.
BACK: I said in case of fire, dumbass.
That's it.
On the first day of school, he wore that shirt. No one really noticed, if they did, they didn't care. Well, one spanish teacher did, though. He/She contacted the office, and D received a small note telling him to come down to the office, about his shirt. I know, because I was in the same class with him when he received it.
After about 20 minutes, he returned with a different shirt on. D explained that he was told to change it, and that he couldnt go home to change because his parents were gone. Luckily, he had a spare shirt in his PE locker.
This above violation neither he nor I protest. The school rules say you can't have a shirt with swearing on it, and that is that.
Here is the problem:
That night, there was a football game. As with most small towns, a football game is an important event, with a good percentage of the population attending. I was playing in the band, and I was really not sure if D was going to come or not.
At half-time, I went and milled about with my friends. I was shocked when I could see D, wearing his imfamous T-shirt, apparently arguing with a non-uniformed police officer, who actually was the same resource officer at our school that might've ordered him to change shirts.
Here is the only bits that I could get from the argument:
Cop: Something something something.
D: OH yeah? Do you see me leaving? I think I'm leaving! What do you think you see?
Cop: Yeah
D: Alright, fine! I'm leaving! *turns and leaves*
That just set me off. Not enough to talk with the police officer, of course. Later, I went with my friends to talk with some of the more "open-minded" teachers at our school, who were at the game. They remarked about how repressive society was getting, etc.
Now, I want to fight for D. Not so he can wear the shirt at school, but MOST CERTAINLY so he can wear it at a football game.
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Here are supporting facts:
D paid to get in, $3 I think, and if not, that was covered by the activity fee, which he also paid for.
Here are some relevant bits from our Student Handbooks:
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION - Students are protected in the exercise of their First Amendment Rights at AFHS. The exercise of such rights, however, must be conducted in a manner that does not disrupt the educational process. American Falls High School will not tolerate any remarks, graffiti, clothing, or action that degrades any nationality or culture.
This only talks about the school itself, not the football field, which is a mile away, nor ANY school-sponsored activites. Just the school. Personally, I think the only "culture" his shirt would offend are dumbasses, or pendejos or whatever.
DRESS CODE GUIDELINES: ...Clothing or jewelry displaying words or pictures that represent alcohol, tobacco, drugs, gangs, weapons, vulgarity or a topic that would be inflammatory or offensive is not permitted.
Once again, this says nothing about school-sponsored activites at all, It doesn't even specify anything as to what locations this "dress code" is applicable to.
PROFANE LANGUAGE: The use of profanity or obscene language in school, upon school grounds, on school buses, or during activites sponsored by the school shall not be tolerated. Students who abuse this regulation will be disciplined by the administration.
Ahh! Finally! Something about activities! Too bad though, Big Brother, because this is profane LANGUAGE. D was not cussing his head off. Not one bit. Also, note the bit about the "administration". The student handbook says this:
RESOURCES Mr. F___ H____......Resource Officer
NOWHERE in our handbooks does it even LIST the "administration". If ANYONE were to punish him, that person would be on the non-existant "ADMINISTRATION" list, not the pitiful "RESOURCES" list.
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That's all I have for now, but I really want to fight for his rights. I would like any help, support, or ANYTHING that would help.
