Cancer Awareness T-Shirt and Newspaper Banned by Middle School...

[cynatnite]

According to the Bristol Herald-Courier on Wednesday Matt Smith wore to school the controversial purple Relay For Life cancer awareness T-shirt that Vance Middle School administrators banned Friday, claiming the shirt was disruptive to the school environment.

" made me take it off. But I put it right back on," the defiant 12-year-old said.

Matt said he was one of several students wearing the shirt, or other purple-colored clothing, in protest on the fourth day of a controversy that began when administrators said students wearing the shirt banded together and caused a disruption in the school's hallways.

He said his T-shirt wasn't the only thing confiscated in school hallways on Wednesday. Copies of the Bristol Herald Courier were, too.

"No kids were allowed to read the newspaper today," Matt said. "The teachers usually get stacks, but took them all away."

http://www.timesnews.net/blog_article.php?blog=DonFenley&id=3837

This is my area, too. :grr:

[kestrel91316]

1. Is it FASCISM yet??

[dolo amber]

2. I don't get it...why no newspapers?

I'm at work and didn't read terribly thoroughly...my apologies if it's obv. and I just missed it. :shrug:

[cynatnite]

3. Nothing else was said about confiscating newspapers...

I don't understand it myself.

[Oeditpus Rex]

7. Link to the banned newspaper:

Vance Middle School Ban Extended To Newspapers

The Herald Courier ran a story in Tuesday’s edition about the T-shirt controversy, which outlined circumstances surrounding the dispute.

In the article, some students claimed the shirts – and all purple clothing – were banned because faculty said they had become symbols of a developing gang; allegations Vance Middle Principal Rigby Kind and Vice Principal Scott Latham said were untrue.


Here's the story that got the newspaper banned: Purple 'Relay' Shirts At Center Of Vance Middle School Dress-Code Flap

And an editor's column about the whole mess: Let The Students Wear Purple Shirts

[cynatnite]

8. Thanks!

I shouldn've checked tricities.com. :)

[sweetpotato]

4. Ooooooo - they were ALL wearing purple - must be a gang - nt

[blue sky at night]

5. I am wondering....

if the kids were wearing pro-bush shirts and the paper was backing some right-wing agenda item...would the same hold true? Why is it that the good and decent ideas are the ones that ruffle the feathers of the powers that be...?? I will tell you why, if you can't make money off it, then they shoot it down...you can't make money by curing cancer or stopping war...so go for it kids, stand up for your rights! It will really show you who your friends are.

[SoCalDem]

6. Didn't you get the memo? purple means you are a "secret gay"

remember Falwell & teh teletubbies. the purple one had a purse and a triangle on his head :rofl: