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Originally Posted by Shawn Ishness:

So what really happened here?

One could focus on the kids ... or the t-shirts ... or heresay ...

But I think the problem is the original contention.  This is yet another case of insane political correctness.

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This is ludicrous, and the student of asian descent in the original video has a lawyer.  Here's his comments... http://saberpoint.blogspot.com/2011/05/suspended-soquel-high-student-david.html

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Rather than "hypothesize" about what happened, I also went to the High School website to get the other side, and found this statement posted by the principal.

Read it here, or if you prefer, here's where you can find it.  http://soquelhs.net/home/


To: The Soquel Community

From: Ken Lawrence-Emanuel, Principal

May 26, 2011

I am writing to communicate with you about recent events here at Soquel High School. I want to reassure you that the safety of our students and a school climate which promotes respect for all is our highest concern.

During the past several months, a number of students and parents have reported to the Soquel staff that there is a group of students on campus engaging in intimidating and harassing behavior. The group identifies themselves as WP or White Pride or White Power. We have found graffiti including swastikas on a number of occasions in restrooms, painted on the outside of the classrooms, and carved in desks as well as on papers found in classrooms and hallways. When specific students were identified we contacted the students and talked with them about the power of words and symbols and warned them this behavior would not be tolerated on our campus. We were clear about our expectations.

On Tuesday, during the senior class picture, a number of students, some of whom had already been warned about such behavior, dressed in white t-shirts and stood as a group. Some of the students wore bandanas. Bandanas of any kind are against the school dress code. Many students reported to teachers and other staff members that they were angry their class picture was ruined by the “white power kids.” Some felt frightened and intimidated. Several parents also contacted the school administration to express their outrage.

After reviewing a copy of the picture we took immediate action. While I cannot discuss specific discipline I can tell you the students were disciplined in accordance with our school and district policy.

Today many of our students participated in a rally at lunch time. It was student organized and the theme was peace. The students proceeded to the gym and the overall message of the student speakers was: we need to take a stand against this. This is not the adults’ problem; it is our problem. We don’t want racist behavior on our campus and we all need to speak out against it.

The students in attendance understood this was not about freedom to wear what you want. This was about having a school where everyone is protected from harassment.

Soquel High School staff and students are committed to moving forward together to maintain a safe school environment where students can learn and develop as young people free from intimidation. We ask our entire community to join with us in this effort.

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RE: The Principal's letter ...

So there's a school out there where kids are engaging in intimidating behavior?

That would be a first ...

I know.  If true, instead of dealing with them wearing bandana's (which is against school policy) or dealing with kids who exhibit actual behaviors, let's deal with it by suspending kids who wear white T-shirts in a class picture!

I could more easily buy into the principal's "white power" claim if one of the kids who was suspended wasn't Japanese.  How exactly does a Japanese kid become a white supremacist?

And according to a report I read, two of those suspended weren't accused of any racial involvement ... they just wore white T-Shirts. (FYI, some of the girls did the same and wore pink to similarly stand out in the class picture.)

And under no circumstances do I buy into "we're frightened and intimidated because they wore white T-Shirts" in a class picture.  

That's P.C. crap.

I'm a blue-eyed blond ... the Nazi's would've called me an Aryan because of that!  I also also happen to be wearing jean shorts, flip flops and A WHITE T-SHIRT right now!

Is that intimidating?  Dare I wear such in public?

Does that make me racist?



P.S.  FWIW, just 20 miles away from this High School is the one where some other kids were suspended last year ... for wearing "offensive" T-Shirts that had American flags on them.

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I'm not saying the Principal's right or wrong.  I happen to think he's wrong, but instead of hypothesizing, I went in search of additional information.

In addition to posting the Principal's letter, I also posted the Asian child's version.  Here it is again.  http://saberpoint.blogspot.com/2011/05/suspended-soquel-high-student-david.html

I also welcome the opportunity to read any other "crap" anyone else has found.

As for why anyone in today's world might err of the side of policital correctness, IMO, it probably boils down to what one's lawyer advises them to do...

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Thanks ... I did watch it Bob.

Just my opinion.  But I don't think the Principal consulted a lawyer first.  Rather, I think he's infected with this insidious disease.

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Originally Posted by Shawn Ishness:
I agree that zero tolerance policies can inflame further dysfunction. But then,,, should there be any tolerance for racism, and if so, who gets to decide how much racism is to be tolerated?

the line is where it has always been. once someone intrudes on the constitutional rights of another, then they are in violation of the law. does wearing a white t-shirt intrude on someone else's constitutional rights? does feeling hate for someone due to any reason, itself, intrude on the rights of others? of course not.