Last week, Brooke Harris, a literature teacher in Michigan, was fired for supporting some students who planned a "Wear a Hoodie to School Day" in memory of Treyvon Martin. The idea was similar to when we have our "Hat Day" here at Pilgrim... Students would pay $1 to wear a Hoodie to school and the money raised would be sent to the family of Treyvon Martin. Just as at Pilgrim where hats are not normally allowed, hoodies are not normally allowed at Pontiac Academy for Excellence Middle School.
Harris claims she did everything "by the book"... she sent a proposal and request to administration, and when it was determined that the fundraising event would cause too much of a distraction the proposal was rejected. Harris then encouraged students to make their request in person to the superintendent for which she was suspended then quickly fired. The case raises issues of how much teachers should be allowed to discuss their own personal politics and beliefs in their classroom... an issue I know I struggle with when it comes to topics of politics, religion, and a host of social issues... In a similar issue concerning free speech, Miami Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen has been suspended for comments he made in support of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro. Guillen was quoted as saying "I respect Fidel Castro. You know why? A lot of people have wanted to kill Fidel Castro for the last 60 years, but that [expletive] is still here." His comments sparked outrage in the Miami community, which is home to a large Cuban-American population... many of whom risked their lives to escape Castro's Cuba. Guillen was forced to make a public apology and has been suspended for five games for his comments... comments that are supported by the First Amendment. The Miami Marlins want it made clear that Guillen's feelings were not representative of the Marlins or anyone else in the organization. ESPN, sports radio, and new media outlets all over the country have been slamming Guillen and anyone supporting him... Is supporting Guillen's right to make such comments the same as supporting the comments themselves?
Jesse per3
4/10/2012 08:28:09 pm
If I were that teacher I'd sue that school so fast. Oh man is that stupid. The comment about Fidel Castro wasn't bad at all either all he said was that he respects him for not getting killed. If anything maybe everyone else should apoligize to Castro for all the attempted murders.
Peter G Per3
4/10/2012 10:14:28 pm
They had no right to fire that teacher. She was trying to get the students to a fundraiser for a good cause, and they just fire her over it. With the first amendment, she should still have a job. For Ozzie, he probably should've kept that to himself.
Julianna Period 2
4/10/2012 10:53:36 pm
This is absolutely horrible! I cannot believe that they fired this teacher for such an innocent reason. She was doing nothing but supporting a great fundraiser for a student who passed away. I could see if it was over something bad, but it wasn't at all. I really hope this teacher fights for her job back and a trial becomes of this problem. I totally think many people would side with her.
Austin per.2
4/10/2012 11:14:50 pm
This women should not be fired for wanting to raise money for the family of a killed student. Even if the school board said no they shouldn't be able to fire her for being a supporter of the family. As for Guillen this isn't the first time he's said something that gets him in trouble, but this one wouldn't be so bad if he didn't work in Miami. The five game suspension may be too harsh, but they need to send a message to him so they don't lose their fans that were offended.
Nikkii Period 6
4/11/2012 03:42:14 am
Undoubtedly, issues like these happen all the time and they all end with the same type of apology. People are just too sensitive nowadays! It seems like no matter what your opinion is, it is always offensive to somebody. People need to get over themselves and understand that not everyone is in their position and that they do not have to believe the same things you do. As for Guillen’s comment, just because he had the right to make that remark does not make it right. First of all, why was he even asked this type of question? Even if for some crazy reason someone wanted a quote from him regarding Fidel Castro, they would need to acknowledge the both types of answers that could be declared. Also, just because you respect someone does not necessarily mean that you admire or even understand what they did. Respect is defined as a feeling or attitude of admiration and deference toward somebody or something. Within his quote, he clearly states that he admires the fact that there have been so many attempts on his life and yet he was able to overcome that and live today. He did not say “I think it is so cool that Fidel Castro suppressed his citizen’s rights, killed many Cubans and imprisoned and killed anyone who tried to defend against him.” Even if he said that, which he clearly did not, does this in any way affect how he manages his team? Does his belief make him a bad manager? I doubt it. Seriously, people should not be as uptight as they are, and should cut these people some slack.
Luke P6
4/11/2012 04:21:36 am
I don't think that Harris should have gotten fired. She shouldn't have gotten punished at all. In my opinion, she didn't do anything wrong. She supported her students for a good and worthy cause. If I were her, I would've done the same thing. Guillen, on the other hand, did the wrong thing. No one should say stuff like that. I'm sure he knew it was going to spark something bad.
Dana Period 6
4/11/2012 04:29:59 am
I think that the people at that school should be aloud to wear their hoodies to school. People are going to were them any way, but this way gets money for a good cause and I think that the teacher should be able to help the family. Treyvon did not deserve to die that way. He was a young boy that had so much to offer to his family and to the country. I think that the man who killed him just wanted an excuse to murder that poor kid. I also think that the man should be able to say what he wants about another government. As long he is not saying anything that was mean or prejudece to the country. That is why we have the first amendment anyway, so people can express their voices.
Katelyn R Per 2
4/11/2012 06:19:09 am
I do not think this teacher should have gotten punished for raising money for a current event involving a young boy's death. She was supporting a cause and was getting the students involved to help raise money for Treyvon's family. This boy did not do anything wrong and should not have died the way he did. This woman was just trying to get the story out to others by having the children wear hoods to school in memory of him. This woman should not have lost her job, her punishment was very harsh and this decision should be looked at again. I also think Guillen should have kept this comment to himself. What he said will cause many problems and affect his team and fans greatly.
Evan Period 6
4/11/2012 08:32:54 am
I think that Guillen has every right to say whatever he wants about Castro or anyone else. The people aren't mad at him for that, they are mad at him because many Cubans came to America because he basically transformed Cuba to hell on Earth. It insulted them because they think no one should respect such a man. It's like saying if Obama went to a synagogue and said I respect Hitler. He has every right to do it, but that doesn't mean people won't be mad at him for it. People have every right to say whatever they want, but sometimes they need to think before they speak. On that note, I think the 5 game suspension is a fair punishment, not too easy but not too harsh. Hopefully now Ozzie will learn when you're the manager of a Major League Baseball Team in Miami, Florida, that bringing up Castro in any way is a bad idea.
Jaide period 1
4/11/2012 08:59:46 pm
They shouldnt have fired her over that, what she was doing was a good thing not bad, people these days ! And for Guillen, he was just saying what was on his mind, your allowed to do that. But yeah maybe he should have kept that to himeslef.
Meghan P4
4/12/2012 12:32:35 am
This is stupid. A teacher should be able to support his or her students in activites, especially if they are to support the live or lives of a deceased friend. I think the fact the school was going to do something so kind for Treyvon's family is really nice, but getting the idea denied by the school board and a teacher being fired is mean, stupid, and heartless.
Shai Period 6
4/12/2012 12:43:01 am
I think that that teacher should NOT have been fired. She was trying to do a nice thing, when she supported those kids. And the thanks she gets it getting fired? She should be able to support them, because thats what she believes. And for the other guy, I don't think he had to use explicit words, but he still should have freedom of speech.
Rebecca Period 6
4/12/2012 02:37:37 am
It's ridiculous that the teacher got fired for encouraging her students to talk to the superintendent in person. She was trying to encourage them to use their rights and fight for what they believed they should be able to do, and she got fired because of that? It's just so pointless. She shouldn't have even gotten suspended, let alone fired.
Shae T period 6
4/12/2012 03:46:26 am
I'm pretty sure there's something called freedom of speech nowadays, and aren't teachers supposed to encourage kids to take responsibility anyways? They would have been taking responsibility by going to ask about wearing the hoodies. I think it's absolutely ridiculous that she was fired over that. As far as the Fidel Castro comment, I don't see where that was offensive. Okay, people did almost die trying to leave Cuba, but he wasn't talking directly to those people. He was saying he admired the guy for keeping his live throughout the time everyone was trying to murder him. He was admiring his resiliance. Where is that wrong? People hinestly do take offense to the strangest things sometimes.
Sara period 1 & 2
4/12/2012 03:48:12 am
Okay with the middle school, that's no reason at all to fire someone... they're trying to raise money for a good cause and it gets rejected. How does that make any sense? I seriously don't understand people. And the other guy should have just kept his comment to himself it was obviously unnecassaryand just started drama for no reason.
Jess Period 2
4/12/2012 09:18:06 am
Both circumstances seem very unfair. As citizens of America these two people have a right to their freedom of speech. Neither of them did anything wrong by stating their opinions on the topics at hand and it is not like they were trying to force their beliefs onto people. The fact that this woman was fired is completely outrageous, she did nothing wrong by trying to raise money for a victimized family. If anything, what Guillen did was worse and he received a much lighter punishment. That hardly seems fair at all.
Cara Period 2
4/12/2012 08:48:11 pm
I think it is rediculous that they fired that teacher! She said she did everything by the book, and i understand wearing a hood can be seen as a threat, but if there is a whole day dedicated too someone who has passes, they should allow it. I do not think it is fair that she no does not have a job becasue she was trying support a famaily who has lost their loved one.
Erica per. 2
4/13/2012 12:59:55 am
This is a perfect example of how corrupt our US government is. The First Amendment gives us freedom of speech and opinion, this is one major way the US differs from other countries; our "freedom". But situations like this arise no questions, to how free our country acually is. Constitutionally we are free to express our own opinion, but yet somehow when we do... the constitution isnt enough to protect that right.
Jamie Period 3
4/13/2012 05:32:32 am
It seems to me that they don't seem to know where the line is drawn when it comes to freedom of speech. It's true that we do have the right to say whatever we want to say, but that does not mean you have to go and abuse that right. Sometimes the line is drawn too low for some people to the point that they can't take it anymore and try to express themselves as much as possible. If someone says "If you've got something to say, say it!" as way to get people to speak freely about their own thoughts and opinions. People take the freedom of speech and use it to their advantage many times. The teacher was just trying to have people speak their minds and being a role model is tough especially when your job and career is at stake. Ozzie Guillen was a big role model and people agree with his opinions, but when he started talking about Fidel Castro, and said a swear, apparantly that was enough for him to get fired. Sometimes the freedom of speech is question on whether or not it gives anyone freedom to speak about anything they want. The main point between the teacher and Ozzie Guillen is that the freedom of speach has an unpredictable line and when you are over that line it will be too late.
Shawn Period 3
4/13/2012 11:47:36 am
I hope this teacher gets her job back, I'm glad Zimmerman is getting arrested. Finally some justice.
Jason F p1
4/14/2012 03:07:51 am
I think there is a complete difference to say your supporting the comment. or supporting the right to make a comment. In both examples it is ridiculous to discipline both people for their comments. if ozzie gullien said the opposite thing, i still think someone would of found that offensive and he probably still would of been punished
Matt p4
4/18/2012 11:46:06 am
can we say SUE! her students wanted to do something for the family and thats cool. she should not have gotten fired for supporting her kids. id be pissed if i was her.
breannah 6
6/9/2012 06:14:01 am
Suporting the right to make a comment is not the same as supporting the comment. Like with abortion, people can support pro chioce with out it meaning abortion is the right thing to do. He has the right to make the commment wheither or not you agree with or support waht he said. Comments are closed.
|
Archives
October 2015
Categories |