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Letter to the editor seen in today's local redneck rag...
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2006/052006/05012006/178096
( Just in case the link doesn't work )
If I choose to respond to this child, it would probably go something like this:
Dear Trai (since your name is gender-ambiguous, I can't address you as Mr or Miss),
First, I'd like to congratulate you on exercising your right to speak your mind in a public forum. Free speech and free press can be powerful tools. That being said, I'd like to let you in on some of your other rights.
You have the right to a quality education courtesy of the US government and your parents' taxes. You have the right to practice a religion of your choosing (or none at all). You can pray at school (Really! There's no law saying you can't.). You can even bring in a bible to read during lunch if you so choose. You can choose to join the Student Christian Athletes organization. You have the right to stand before the "In God we trust" poster that is displayed in every VA public school and read it to your heart's content (just don't be late to class, or you will have the right to a detention). At age 16, you will have the right to a driver's license. When you turn 18, you will have the right to vote. You can buy a case of beer at 21. You have the right to your opinions, and the right to express them verbally and in writing.
You do not have the right to not be offended. Sorry, that's just the way it is. I highly doubt that the poster advertising the meeting of the Gay Straight Alliance was mandatory reading for you, or that you will be forced to attend the meeting. That same school system that is required to meet your needs is also required to meet the needs of ALL the other students you share the halls with.
As you get older and enter the adult world, you will find that there will be a multitude of issues that you find offensive. Some of them may even affect you directly. Just remember, the values and beliefs you hold dear may be offensive to someone else. But they don't have the right to not be offended either. That's life. Choose your battles wisely.
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2006/052006/05012006/178096
( Just in case the link doesn't work )
If I choose to respond to this child, it would probably go something like this:
Dear Trai (since your name is gender-ambiguous, I can't address you as Mr or Miss),
First, I'd like to congratulate you on exercising your right to speak your mind in a public forum. Free speech and free press can be powerful tools. That being said, I'd like to let you in on some of your other rights.
You have the right to a quality education courtesy of the US government and your parents' taxes. You have the right to practice a religion of your choosing (or none at all). You can pray at school (Really! There's no law saying you can't.). You can even bring in a bible to read during lunch if you so choose. You can choose to join the Student Christian Athletes organization. You have the right to stand before the "In God we trust" poster that is displayed in every VA public school and read it to your heart's content (just don't be late to class, or you will have the right to a detention). At age 16, you will have the right to a driver's license. When you turn 18, you will have the right to vote. You can buy a case of beer at 21. You have the right to your opinions, and the right to express them verbally and in writing.
You do not have the right to not be offended. Sorry, that's just the way it is. I highly doubt that the poster advertising the meeting of the Gay Straight Alliance was mandatory reading for you, or that you will be forced to attend the meeting. That same school system that is required to meet your needs is also required to meet the needs of ALL the other students you share the halls with.
As you get older and enter the adult world, you will find that there will be a multitude of issues that you find offensive. Some of them may even affect you directly. Just remember, the values and beliefs you hold dear may be offensive to someone else. But they don't have the right to not be offended either. That's life. Choose your battles wisely.
