Lolz at this goth kid.

[Daesania]

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=43802

I saw this on Fox News (they have it on the TVs here at work)

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/images2/jamesherndon.jpg

A California high-school student who practices Wiccan beliefs says his rights have been violated after being suspended this week for wearing lipstick and makeup.

"If I can't wear makeup, then the girls or the staff can't wear makeup either," 16-year-old James Herndon told the San Bernadino Sun, believing his constitutional right to free expression is being violated.

He says the cosmetics help him express his neopagan religious beliefs in the supernatural, which he shares with his mother, Valerie Wallace, a Wiccan priestess.

"After my divorce from his father, he became very depressed, and wearing the makeup makes him feel good," Wallace said.

Herndon, who is repeating his sophomore year, has reportedly been wearing the black lipstick and red eye makeup the entire time he's been attending Pacific High School. He also sports a red mohawk hairdo, though that was not cited as a reason for his five-day suspension.

While campus officials say James' makeup is a violation of policy, they had a hard time locating it in writing, unable to cite any reference to makeup in school regulations or the California Education Code.

They tied the suspension to the dress code in the student handbook, which notes if clothing "creates a safety hazard ... or when the dress constitutes a serious and unnecessary distraction to the learning process or tends to disrupt campus order," the student is in violation.

Lynda Savage, a San Bernardino City Unified School District board member, told the paper "without knowing all the details, my gut reaction is to support the principal. We don't suspend students just because. I suspect this student was a distraction to other students. We bend over backwards to provide our students better educational choices. I think this student needed to make a better choice."

But the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union disagrees, believing codes protecting freedom of expression and guarding against gender discrimination seem to have been violated.

"High school is the time where many students are expressing themselves and really finding themselves and so to suspend the student is such a severe punishment it's wrong," said ACLU staff attorney Christine Sun. "It's wrong not only as a legal matter, but it's not good policy."

James plans on wearing the makeup when he returns to class on Monday.

"My son shouldn't change the way he is," his mother said.

[luminary pants]

He will most likley win any lawsuit that results aswell.

[cuBERT]

*is distracted*

Oh, there are words under the picture.

[SmokaCola]

I'm a goth... But the whole wearing make up is where I draw the line man, that's uber *** lol

[jq715861]

With that red stripe going across his eyes it kind of makes him seem like the goth version of Cyclops from X-Men.

[logicalnoise]

With that red stripe going across his eyes it kind of makes him seem like the goth version of Cyclops from X-Men.

which is sad because cyclops was the douchebag loser of the xmen.

[A Lumbee Indian]

I worked with a guy who was into goth. I see nothing wrong with it really. It's just a way for them to express themselves. Being suspended for that is crazy. As for the other kids being distraced by him is BULLS***! Kids can be distracted by anything. I hope he beats the case.

[Julio_No_Mas]

If there's a dress code you need to obey it. Simple as that.

[IbanezBassist_v2]

Doesn't matter to me. If dude wants to look like a ****ed up chick than so be it.

[Grim]

With that red stripe going across his eyes it kind of makes him seem like the goth version of Cyclops from X-Men.

ROFL, thats a perfect observation of what he looks like.

[Daesania]

LOL That's exactly what my boyfriend said as well, i had to google that unfortunatly as I am not a comic fan :P

[LZ_Reborn]

Doesn't matter to me. If dude wants to look like a ****ed up chick than so be it.

I agree, this kid obviously has some issues, you don't want to push him over the edge by alienating him....to many of those incidents already (you know what I'm talking about people).

[GHmanRON]

i agree that they had an reason to suspend him since he prob was an distraction to other students with all of his makeup and with him saying the girls cant wear makeup then, they dont wear that much makeup, and they dont have red stripes coming from their eyes or anything like that...so he should have gotten suspended:):p

[FallenAce]

I agree, this kid obviously has some issues, you don't want to push him over the edge by alienating him....to many of those incidents already (you know what I'm talking about people).
Pandering to him out of fear is just as bad as pandering to the rest of the kids to make him conform.

And, while I agree that <B>your rights stop where someone else's start</B>, the school system was not likely looking out for the well-being of the other students. I doubt they had many of his classmates go to the office and say, "This guy's makeup is making it hard for me to learn."

They don't want someone they consider a "freak" having the <I>desire</I> to step out of the norm. Schools are designed to teach us to conform to society, and he's blatantly resisting it. The system's knee-jerk reaction is to squash any uprising of independent thought.

This may seem a radical view, but this is not how I dress or act, and yet I support his right to ignore <I>someone else's</I> desire to conform. <B>Their rights stop where his start</B>, and people don't like two-way streets in that respect.

[tucsonovernite]

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=43802

I saw this on Fox News (they have it on the TVs here at work)



The interesting part of this thread for me was your need to qualify how you could have possibly seen a Fox News report (on the tv at work) that totally cracked me up

FUUCK FOX NEWS

[Brute Physics]

Pagan beliefs my ass. I know plenty of pagans and wiccans, and I was one at a time...and NOBODY wears make-up like that ****. Hell, most don't wear make-up at all because it would be like trying to hide behind a mask which is not very true to yourself. That moron is just using it as a stupid excuse to look like a ****ed up clown.

[FallenAce]

If you know "plenty" of Wiccans, then you know their belief structure is less-than standardized. They can make up <U>anything</U> they want and claim it as part of their religion, and as long as their "prayers" end with "So mote it be" - which is the <B>ONLY</B> real, surviving Wiccan tradition; in fact the only known thing about the original Wiccan - then that makes it justifiably <B>PART OF THE RELIGION</B>.

You <B>WILL NOT</B> come here and start poking fun and calling names and direct it towards someone else's religious beliefs. That is absolutely close-minded and asinine.

May whatever higher being in which you believe have <B>mercy on your soul</B>.

[Brute Physics]

I am sorry to have offended you but until I hear a logical explination on how looking like a depressed clown helps to honor the earth, the universe, ancestrial souls, or really just about any form of positive diety...then I see no reason for him to use religion as an excuse.
I am not saying that he is not pagan or wiccan...I am saying that he is using it as a cover. If he would simply have said...look this is how I like to dress and I don't think that it really is offensive then that is a perfectly good arguement in my book. But that is not what he said. He said that it is part of his religion, it is people like this who give others the power to call paganism evil. What else is someone to expect when that is the stereotype.

[FallenAce]

Apology accepted. I greatly disapprove of any situation where someone is told that which they hold at their core is wrong, or where anyone feels that their beliefs are somehow better than anothers.

However, if you say "it is people like this who give others the power to call paganism evil", then you are empowering others who think they can judge something that goes against the accepted norm and shut it down solely for that purpose.

You don't <I>know</I> there is no religious basis for his makeup <I>for him</I>. If you say it's because no one else - or no one you've known - has a valid reason for that, then you are limiting expression to your experiences, or even allowing only the larger religions amnesty from judgement... and you know those religions are just as fallible as anything else.

[logicalnoise]

Apology accepted. I greatly disapprove of any situation where someone is told that which they hold at their core is wrong, or where anyone feels that their beliefs are somehow better than anothers.

However, if you say "it is people like this who give others the power to call paganism evil", then you are empowering others who think they can judge something that goes against the accepted norm and shut it down solely for that purpose.

You don't <I>know</I> there is no religious basis for his makeup <I>for him</I>. If you say it's because no one else - or no one you've known - has a valid reason for that, then you are limiting expression to your experiences, or even allowing only the larger religions amnesty from judgement... and you know those religions are just as fallible as anything else.

I think Scientology is evil. as in not good and a complete scam.

[FallenAce]

Scientology doesn't call itself a religion though.

[Daesania]

ahem. back on track... this kid looks like a freak.

[Julio_No_Mas]

The kid broke a rule from the handbook. He got punished. Boo frickin' hoo. He may not be distracting enough to hamper learning, but his attention whoring would get annoying if he were in my school.

[GHmanRON]

thnk you julie...who cares if it is wrong..........HE BROKE AN SCHOOL RULE AND HE SHOULD BE PUNISHED

[Julio_No_Mas]

thnk you julie...who cares if it is wrong..........HE BROKE AN SCHOOL RULE AND HE SHOULD BE PUNISHED

It's Julio... lol.

[whofan]

I hate to spoil the generally negative attitude towards this kid in here, but I have to say that I find this attitude completely unacceptable.

Just because he chooses to look like he does does that mean we shouldn't treat him like anyone else? What if this had been a shirt that had a minor swear word on it? 90% of you would be like "WTF?! Why'd they suspend him just for that?!"

The point is, the kid can dress how he wishes and not suffer punishment, it's enshrined in your Constitution, a document that is conveniently ignored when it just doesn't sit right with the "majority". Something like this is a BLATENT violation of this kid's right to free expression that can not be justifiably limited.

This is honestly sickening and I hope that the kid wins any battle he should choose to take.

I hate to bring up comparisons, but it's very rare that you see this kind of thing in Canada (I, in fact, went to school with several people who chose to dress like this kid and nobody ever complained about them. They were outcasts socially, yes, but they were never suspended due to their lifestyle choices.). America claims to be the land of the free, where everybody can express themselves without fear of retaliation, but in practice this just is NOT so. Everybody keeps putting limits on free expression. I agree that there should be limits, but suspending this kid is taking it far past the decent line.

[Eastwood]

The point is, the kid can dress how he wishes and not suffer punishment, it's enshrined in your Constitution, a document that is conveniently ignored when it just doesn't sit right with the "majority". Something like this is a BLATENT violation of this kid's right to free expression that can not be justifiably limited.

If it is in the rulebook, it can. If I wanted to fly on a plane or walk around naked because it is how I express myself, can I? No, because there are rules against it. If his school says he can't dress like that, then it stated it in the handbook that he signed at the beginning of the year. If he didn't sign it, then he is scott free and they can boot him for not signing it. Once you sign that handbook, you have to go by what it says.

[thorn_9]

I love how people fall back on religion to excuse their outward appearance. Like by not putting on makeup makes him less of a Wiccan? So its the hair and makeup that has the religious validation not his soul?

Personally I am a satanist and can understand discrimination but to fall back on religion as the reason is sad. Grow up, be a man, and realize its what is within you that matters not what is on you.

[sadenshi]

"believing his constitutional right to free expression is being violated...He says the cosmetics help him express his neopagan religious beliefs in the supernatural"

I didn't know you're allowed to promote your religious belief on schoolgrounds...???

[Eastwood]

I didn't know you're allowed to promote your religious belief on schoolgrounds...???


That only applies to christians.

[Daesania]

^^LOL at above post.

[Ardius]

As much as I think it a waste of time and energy to put makeup on every day and although I have my thoughts on such people, I dont see why he shouldnt be able to have "his look".

Im amazed this is even a problem in America, you lot seem to have no idea what a "school uniform" is. If this was in England, I could see why the school is a bit annoyed, although, it wouldnt make even local news (probably not even the schools own news).

I wouldnt take it so radically to say "they are dropping freedom of speech", it is fair enough that it looks rather odd. However, I dont see how this affects the school at all. In England, schools like to use the "it makes the image of the school look bad" excuse, but that doesnt really wash here either. Interesting debate.

[Bakkster]

Cool fact: Students have no right to expression in school. Just ask the supreme court.

Especially if it's distracting (which this obviously would be to me) it has no place at school. I could be expressing my beliefs by carrying an 8-foot cross through my school, but I have no right to do so.


"believing his constitutional right to free expression is being violated...He says the cosmetics help him express his neopagan religious beliefs in the supernatural"

I didn't know you're allowed to promote your religious belief on schoolgrounds...???


That only applies to christians.

How true.

[Muppethero]

they tried to suspend me back in 1994 for reading a book on wicca in school. I mentioned lawsuit and they let me go back to class. it was funny.

[GHmanRON]

that is cool....lol..BUT LIKE MANY PEOPLE HAVE SAID HE SIGNED THE STUDENT HANDBOOK AND THAT MEANS HE PLEDGED TO FOLLOW THE RULES AND HE BROKE ONE BY WEARING ALL THAT FREAK MAKEUP!

[likwidomg]

If he's causing a distraction at school and distractions are "bad", Then Girls should not be allowed to go through puberty. They cause a lot of distractions after that chapter in their life. I can give you two reasons why...

:P

[too803]

That princeapal is on drugs or something.

[Eastwood]

That princeapal is on drugs or something.

Apparently, so are you...

[gh2masterwellalmost]

Good luck to you buddy. You have not followed the mainstream so you will be persecuted as always. Hope you win your case.

[gh2masterwellalmost]

That only applies to christians.

This world is not bias. At all. Promise. Thanks for entering Non-Secular-Bible-Bashingland. That'll be $all-your-life's-worth-of-work please. Oh and freedom.

Christianity, if people followed it right would be so freaking awesome. Jesus said love thy neighbour and treated everyone equally. So treat this kid equally too.

[RogerTarin]

hahaha it's pretty ****ing funny, i'm a "goth" but black eye liner does it for me. That guy looks like a damned WWF wrestler.

Because of stupid teenagers like him people think goth=emo.....totally different, but to hell with labels, just be who you want to be and let others be......

[Eastwood]

This world is not bias. At all. Promise. Thanks for entering Non-Secular-Bible-Bashingland. That'll be $all-your-life's-worth-of-work please. Oh and freedom.

Christianity, if people followed it right would be so freaking awesome. Jesus said love thy neighbour and treated everyone equally. So treat this kid equally too.

I missed your hypocrisy over the months....

[PHiNiX]

people should be able to wear whatever the f### they want thats the reason why i went on independant study, teachers would hassle me about the color of my hair (normally brown) sometimes blonde blue or red. i think it is a distraction when teachers comment on what a person looks like or wears its non of there buissness. there not being paid to be fashion police

[PHiNiX]

If there's a dress code you need to obey it. Simple as that.

were in the dress code does it say a person cant express there self.

[Bakkster]

were in the dress code does it say a person cant express there self.

I said it earlier, but it bears repeating: You have no freedom of expression or speech in public schools. Feel free to dispute that you are distracting, or that the dress code should be changed, but you have no right to expression while in a public school.

I might have felt a little sympathy for the guy if he just said "this is a ridiculous dress code", but he had do go with pretending it was his right. If he wants to be able to exercise his right, he needs to go to a school where it is allowed or be home schooled.

Somehow, I'm sure his heart will go on...

[IbanezBassist_v2]

The kid broke a rule from the handbook. He got punished. Boo frickin' hoo. He may not be distracting enough to hamper learning, but his attention whoring would get annoying if he were in my school.

Thing is, he didn't. There wasn't anything documented and was made up on the fly. BS!

[JoshKayX]

I Consider Myself A Goth... And I Stand Behind This Kids Decision To Openly Do What Every Female Is Entitled To (According To "Society").

It Wouldnt Be A Distraction If The Ignorance Level Was At A Level Of Reasonable Standards.

My School Alone Has Banned The Following :
Trench Coats
Distracting Haircuts (Mohawks Etc.)
Makeup (Period. Yet Every Societal Girl Wears It)
Gum (Off Topic)
Baggy Pants
Large Clothing
Bandanas (In The Handbook, Specifically Stating "Gang Relations"



More Freedom, Less Discrimination

[Daesania]

I Consider Myself A Goth... And I Stand Behind This Kids Decision To Openly Do What Every Female Is Entitled To (According To "Society").

It Wouldnt Be A Distraction If The Ignorance Level Was At A Level Of Reasonable Standards.

My School Alone Has Banned The Following :
Trench Coats
Distracting Haircuts (Mohawks Etc.)
Makeup (Period. Yet Every Societal Girl Wears It)
Gum (Off Topic)
Baggy Pants
Large Clothing
Bandanas (In The Handbook, Specifically Stating "Gang Relations"



More Freedom, Less Discrimination


And guess what? i agree with your school. You guys are in HIGHSCHOOL, you have decades to "express yourself". Piss and get over it.

[Daesania]

To give you a bit of insight, I was "goth" in highschool, then again I was just about anything in highschool, goth, skater punk, preppy, nerdy.. All of those things in 4 years. I'm GLAD schools still prohibit what kids can do. When I went through my phases, I stuck with every rule in the book, rules are there for a reason and just because you cant see them now, you'll realize after highschool, damn, now i see.

Suck it up and get through the worst 4 years of your life, then complain.

Once you're out of highschool, you'll realize work places do the same thing. I'm just lucky my company allows visible tattoo's and piercings because otherwise I'd be screwed.

[Huskie]

... Piss and get over it.


...
Suck it up and get through the worst 4 years of your life, then complain.

Someone is feisty today :D

School is a place to learn, not "express yourself".
I can't wait for my kids to start doing this. I'm going to have a ball.

[Daesania]

LOL Huskie, Just annoyed at stupid people on the forums lately. :P

[Huskie]

LOL Huskie, Just annoyed at stupid people on the forums lately. :P
Then I would advise you NOT to go into the RockBand forum. ;)
The torches are lit and HMXJohnLok is blowing them out.

I like this little happy corner :D

[Daesania]

LOL OH trust me, i havent been to the RB forum since the day after RB came out. That place would only make me have a break down.

[likwidomg]

Someone is feisty today :D

School is a place to learn, not "express yourself".
I can't wait for my kids to start doing this. I'm going to have a ball.

How can you learn if you don't express yourself? There's more to learning than No. 2 Pencils and standardized tests. :)

[Bakkster]

How can you learn if you don't express yourself? There's more to learning than No. 2 Pencils and standardized tests. :)

Because sometimes "expressing yourself" can prevent or distract others from learning.

Let's take an example from the other side of the coin:
Perhaps my way of expressing my religion was to carry a large wooden cross with me everywhere I went. Under normal circumstances this would be my freedom, and I know of at least one person who does this without issue.

If I tried to do this in school, however, it would most certainly be distracting to others. There is no rule against carrying large wooden object through the halls (unless your school is very thorough), but it is still correct for the school to prevent this from happening. Even I would have been distracted if someone else at my school did this.

What does this all mean? Feel free to express yourself, just not within the schoolhouse walls.

[likwidomg]

Because sometimes "expressing yourself" can prevent or distract others from learning.

Let's take an example from the other side of the coin:
Perhaps my way of expressing my religion was to carry a large wooden cross with me everywhere I went. Under normal circumstances this would be my freedom, and I know of at least one person who does this without issue.

If I tried to do this in school, however, it would most certainly be distracting to others. There is no rule against carrying large wooden object through the halls (unless your school is very thorough), but it is still correct for the school to prevent this from happening. Even I would have been distracted if someone else at my school did this.

What does this all mean? Feel free to express yourself, just not within the schoolhouse walls.

Once you're outside of those walls, and out in the big world, people will be expressing themselves all they want, will you be distracted then? Part of High School (from my understanding, I was homeschooled) is to help you be prepared for the 'real' world.

A big wooden cross isn't anywhere near wearing makeup and stylizing hair. Everyone has hair and there's a multitude of styles. If he's not allow to have a mohawk, then Betty shouldn't be able to have a beehive, or Steve shouldn't have a mullet. Those rules and restrictions are dumb. :D

[Eastwood]

Him not being able to wear make up is not keeping him from doing what he is supossed to be doing in the first place, which is getting an education and preparing for college. In college, he can wear whatever he wants (but I suspect that by then he will grow out of his little phase)

[Huskie]

...Steve shouldn't have a mullet....

NOBODY should have a mullet, school or not ;)

[likwidomg]

NOBODY should have a mullet, school or not ;)

That's why I leave the mullet wearing to Steve. He likes it. Me... not so much. :D

[Bakkster]

A big wooden cross isn't anywhere near wearing makeup and stylizing hair. Everyone has hair and there's a multitude of styles. If he's not allow to have a mohawk, then Betty shouldn't be able to have a beehive, or Steve shouldn't have a mullet. Those rules and restrictions are dumb. :D

Both are a distracting method of expressing one's religion, and (according to the Supreme Court) there is no freedom of expression in public schools. It doesn't matter what religion you are, what you are doing, or how distracting it is, nothing gives you the right to do it. He and his family do have the right to homeschool, however, if this is truly an issue for them. In public schools, though, you have to play by the rules.

Just a little equation for this story:
Teen angst + trying to express yourself + claiming freedom of religion = HILARIOUS

[whofan]

Both are a distracting method of expressing one's religion, and (according to the Supreme Court) there is no freedom of expression in public schools. It doesn't matter what religion you are, what you are doing, or how distracting it is, nothing gives you the right to do it. He and his family do have the right to homeschool, however, if this is truly an issue for them. In public schools, though, you have to play by the rules.

Just a little equation for this story:
Teen angst + trying to express yourself + claiming freedom of religion = HILARIOUS

Once again, the U.S. Supreme Court shows how ass-backwards it is. Honestly, for a Country that claims to be the land of the free, your institutions sure do like to quash that freedom.

No freedom of expression in schools?! What the hell? What are your schools? Breeding grounds for conformity? That's all it is if you're not allowed freedom of expression.

The teenage years are the most creative and formative in a person's life and should not be quashed into this little bubble of what people believe to be right.

I understand that some limits are necessary (i.e. Hate speech, dangerous weapons, gang affiliations, etc.) but this is COMPLETELY unjustifiable! On what grounds do you justify this infringement? It's "distracting"? Boo-hoo. Get used to it, distractions abound in the real world and if you can't handle them in school, well you're not going to get very far, are you?

To take up one of your examples, you SHOULD be allowed to carry that Cross through the halls if you wish to, as long as you aren't using it in anything that would injure others (i.e. using it as a weapon, using it as a pulpit with which to preach hate, etc.).

Again, I state, this makes no sense whatsoever and the negative attitude here makes me ill to my stomach.

Schools should be institutions to promote knowledge and creativity, only that way will the human race move towards enlightenment. If we go with the Supreme Court's (apparent) idea then all you are using the schools for are to create conformity amongst your masses and anyone who doesn't conform is alienated and kicked to the sidelines.

[Bakkster]

Schools should be institutions to promote knowledge and creativity, only that way will the human race move towards enlightenment.

Then be creative in the ways you express yourself. If prayer is not allowed in your school, rally around the flagpole before school and have a prayer.

Maybe that's the trick: only the creative can express themselves :p

[likwidomg]

Both are a distracting method of expressing one's religion, and (according to the Supreme Court) there is no freedom of expression in public schools. It doesn't matter what religion you are, what you are doing, or how distracting it is, nothing gives you the right to do it. He and his family do have the right to homeschool, however, if this is truly an issue for them. In public schools, though, you have to play by the rules.

Just a little equation for this story:
Teen angst + trying to express yourself + claiming freedom of religion = HILARIOUS

His excuse about expressing his religion through his makeup+clothing is ridiculous. He made that up on the spot, I bet. If you take that religious part out (see as it's not catholic beads or a yamaka or religiously definable) he shouldn't be punished. He would have been better off just saying that's the way he likes to dress.

The reason I was homeschooled is because the school system is completely upside down and bassackwards. This is proof. :)

p.s. I'm not completely up to date, do they still make you say the Pledge of Allegiance and that part about 'Under God'? :|

[Bakkster]

His excuse about expressing his religion through his makeup+clothing is ridiculous. He made that up on the spot, I bet. If you take that religious part out (see as it's not catholic beads or a yamaka or religiously definable) he shouldn't be punished. He would have been better off just saying that's the way he likes to dress.

Well no kidding he made it up, that's my main problem with it.

Doesn't change the fact that it's distracting and completely unnecessary for school. I had a friend who liked to wear a cow suit, but couldn't because it was distracting. He didn't complain when he couldn't anymore, because the point of school is to learn.

Whatever, I'm out.

[ixFatalDeathxi]

Well no kidding he made it up, that's my main problem with it.

Doesn't change the fact that it's distracting and completely unnecessary for school. I had a friend who liked to wear a cow suit, but couldn't because it was distracting. He didn't complain when he couldn't anymore, because the point of school is to learn.

Whatever, I'm out.

Hey bakkster is that your picture LOLZ!!!!

[likwidomg]

Well no kidding he made it up, that's my main problem with it.

Doesn't change the fact that it's distracting and completely unnecessary for school. I had a friend who liked to wear a cow suit, but couldn't because it was distracting. He didn't complain when he couldn't anymore, because the point of school is to learn.

Whatever, I'm out.

And a part of learning is to be in a comfortable environment. I'd hate to try an learn trig. over a shark pit while being lit on fire, finger by finger, limb by limb. If he works better with a mohawk and makeup, then so be it. Other students shouldn't be distracted by him, they should be working on their work. :P

p.s. Cow costume =/= not serious.

[Daesania]

p.s. I'm not completely up to date, do they still make you say the Pledge of Allegiance and that part about 'Under God'? :|


No, that was removed from schools roughly 3 years ago-ish?

[Bakkster]

And a part of learning is to be in a comfortable environment. I'd hate to try an learn trig. over a shark pit while being lit on fire, finger by finger, limb by limb. If he works better with a mohawk and makeup, then so be it. Other students shouldn't be distracted by him, they should be working on their work. :P

Oh the irony.

I don't want to try to learn in an uncomfortable environment either. So why should the person who could create an uncomfortable environment (Mr. Claim Religious Freedom) be allowed to continue, while the rest of the students (who I don't think could be honestly blamed for being distracted) have to adapt?

Sounds like you're making a double standard to me.

[Eastwood]

Sounds like you're making a double standard to me.

*points to post about Christians* Remember?

[Bakkster]

*points to post about Christians* Remember?

Which one? I was of the opinion that it doesn't matter if it's a Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or Pagan expression and is distracting, it has no place in public schools. I don't see a double standard there...

[likwidomg]

Oh the irony.

I don't want to try to learn in an uncomfortable environment either. So why should the person who could create an uncomfortable environment (Mr. Claim Religious Freedom) be allowed to continue, while the rest of the students (who I don't think could be honestly blamed for being distracted) have to adapt?

Sounds like you're making a double standard to me.

I'm not saying they can't express themselves. Where's the double standard in that? There would be one if I said Gothboy can wear makeup and and all black, but Tyrone can't wear his 50 Cent shirt and his baggy pants.

I'm promoting freedom of self-expression all across the board, as long as it's tasteful. (IE, no swastikas, etc).

[Bakkster]

I'm not saying they can't express themselves. Where's the double standard in that?

I'm saying that allowing some people to be more comfortable in a way that makes others uncomfortable is a double standard. It seems you're saying that those who want to "express themselves" get to be comfortable, and the rest can deal with it.

[likwidomg]

I'm saying that allowing some people to be more comfortable in a way that makes others uncomfortable is a double standard. It seems you're saying that those who want to "express themselves" get to be comfortable, and the rest can deal with it.

Ultimately, someone is going to be uncomfortable somewhere, no matter what you do. But if you give EVERYONE a choice of expressing themselves how they want to, the pressure on what is and isn't 'comfortable' begins to melt. It's only a double standard now because of the tight restrictions on conformity that are set.

The real double standard is in place now with Girls being able to wear makeup and guys (him) not being able to. If you say "Okay, everyone can wear make up" not EVERYONE is going to do it, but those who want to will. After a while people who are distracted by guys wearing make up will become less distracted, as it becomes a daily thing.

It'll blend into the everyday background. There's only a double standard when it's not balanced.

[edit: Not to mention the fact that they couldn't find his so called 'violation' in the Education Code. Make up, regardless of who is wearing it or the Religious beliefs of the person wearing it, is just make up. If Girls at his school are able to wear make up, then he should be fine.]

[Fuzzy1279]

I say let the guy wear what he wants.you dont hear anyone complaining when some kid who embraces the hip-hop (not bashing hip-hop or anything) style has his ass crack showing with baggy jeans.

[Daesania]

I say let the guy wear what he wants.you dont hear anyone complaining when some kid who embraces the hip-hop (not bashing hip-hop or anything) style has his ass crack showing with baggy jeans.

they did at my school, and I did. Then again, the kids at my school would sag so much with their jeans that it would go halfway down their thighs. I would make fun of them... and then the deans would give them detentions :P

[Eastwood]

Which one? I was of the opinion that it doesn't matter if it's a Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or Pagan expression and is distracting, it has no place in public schools. I don't see a double standard there...

I was stating that the double standard is already there, since someone is applauded for following traditional muslim clothing in public, but the kid with a bible in his back pocket gets suspended.

[Bakkster]

I was stating that the double standard is already there, since someone is applauded for following traditional muslim clothing in public, but the kid with a bible in his back pocket gets suspended.

Yes, agreed.

[The_Wurm]

I don't really care what people dress like. If they look like asshats like exhibit A, then let em look like asshats, then when they get made fun they'll know why.

But the biggest concern here is that I can't believe that kid is 16, he looks much older than me(18).

[IbanezBassist_v2]

I don't really care what people dress like.

You only say that because you wear a pink hat.

[gh2masterwellalmost]

You only say that because you wear a pink hat.

Lol i've missed you dear friend Ibanez...

anyway yes there are some minor double standards here and there, but there is always a limit of course. I don't think this boy has touched the limit but as a semi-emo (i dont do the cut my wrists thing but its my crowd nevertheless) I am bound to be bias.

[IbanezBassist_v2]

School is a place to learn, not "express yourself".


Exactly, so quit wasting time on seeding out the distractions and get back to teaching our kids. Who cares what they wear. Focus on if he is learning or not. Not what the ****ing kid is wearing.

Does anyone focus negatively on the scantily clad cheerleader uniforms? No. Get the **** over it people. Let kids wear what they want to wear within legal reason. (I.E. no sexually promiscuous clothing)

Kids go to school to learn? Then get on the ball and teach. Not discriminate.

[The_Wurm]

You only say that because you wear a pink hat.

ITS SALMON!!!!!!!!

[Bakkster]

ITS SALMON!!!!!!!!

Whatever helps you sleep at night... ;)

[Huskie]

Foxnews: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,317015,00.html


School Made to Pay $95,000 for Pooh-Poohed Dress Code

Sunday, December 16, 2007
http://www.foxnews.com/images/service_ap_36.gif

SAN FRANCISCO — Officials in a Northern California school district might not think Tiggers are such wonderful things after agreeing to pay $95,000 in lawyers' fees to five families who sued the school over its dress code.
The parents went to court after a student was disciplined for wearing socks with the "Winnie the Pooh" cartoon character Tigger on the first day of school last year.
The district's superintendent said Thursday that the settlement money is for the plaintiffs' lawyers; the district is also on the hook to pay the lawyers it hired.
The settlement also says Redwood Middle School may no longer require students to wear only solid-color clothing.okay. We live in strange times now.

[Julio_No_Mas]

I'm gonna bring a Muslim bible (Quran? I forgot) to school and read it during study hall just to piss everyone off.

[styl3s]

If there's a dress code you need to obey it. Simple as that.
make-up isnt on that dress code, he has a point.. if the girls and staff are allowed make-up why isnt he? because he is a male? thats bull****..

im not a goth, i don't wear make-up, but schools are bull****.. if girls are allowed to wear it why cant he? who is HE hurting by wearing it? absolutely no one.. he will win any law suit, the school is in the wrong here, everyone knows it.

its simple as that.

[GHmanRON]

i think the school will came to itself and realize that they are genuine jackasses because the kid is gonna win that lawsuit hands down

[Bakkster]

make-up isnt on that dress code, he has a point.. if the girls and staff are allowed make-up why isnt he? because he is a male? thats bull****..

Yes, because big black spikes around the eyes is the same thing as eye-liner and some blush....

[likwidomg]

Yes, because big black spikes around the eyes is the same thing as eye-liner and some blush....

And girls wear make up to look attractive... In a school with males... males with hormones going out of control... Like that's not distracting at all.

[osirisbunnyfoofoo]

Wiccan beliefs...

"If I can't wear makeup, then the girls or the staff can't wear makeup either," 16-year-old James Herndon. (Note that he's a f*cking BOY.)

"After my divorce from his father, he became very depressed, and wearing the makeup makes him feel good," Wallace said. (This quote is comic gold.)

Herndon, who is repeating his sophomore year...

James plans on wearing the makeup when he returns to class on Monday.

"My son shouldn't change the way he is," his mother said.


This article may be the single funniest thing I've seen on the Interweb.