2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumSome people might find it offensive ...
This was in the context of a teenage girl wearing a shirt at school that read, "Feminist."
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/04/ohio-middle-school-backs-down-after-deleting-feminist-from-students-class-photo-shirt/
So, of course, the liberal/feminist/free-speech advocate that I am I first wanted to say, (1) "offensive"? are you kidding me? then (2) if people find this offensive, this is TOTALLY and, I mean, TOTALLY their problem and then (3) something about free speech.
And my default position is, let people say what's on their minds. But of course that also means the intolerant, hateful masses get to print awful things on their T-shirts and we have to let it go. Confederate flags, nooses, Jesus stuff.
So now I'm tempted now to just say, "You're right - we should censor speech. Let's start with things that are hateful and gross. And ungrammatical. And completely without evidence." That would be a good start.
So I'm torn. (But so glad this girl and her mom are givin' it back to the school!)
justhanginon
(3,290 posts)and encourage. I hope she keeps at it and maybe someday in the future goes into politics. I am glad that her mom stood by her and did not just let it slide. It takes courage on both of their parts to stand up for what is right.
Feminist is not an offensive word by any stretch of the imagination even though i'm sure there are many whom would make it so.
Persondem
(1,936 posts)Schools will allow much in the way of expression, per Tinker, but do not have to allow expression that is derogatory, intimidating or disruptive. I've worked as a public school teacher for 17 years and have seen both sides of this debate.