PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Two mothers filed a free-speech lawsuit Monday against a Pennsylvania school district that suspended their daughters for wearing the popular “I (heart) boobies!” bracelets.
The American Civil Liberties Union believes the lawsuit is the first in the country over a school’s ban on the bracelets, which are designed to raise breast-cancer awareness among young people. The rubber jewelry has become wildly popular among students, prompting bans across the country.
School officials in Easton argue that the slogan is distracting and demeaning, and that some staff feel it trivializes a serious illness.
The district banned the bracelets in October, a month into the school year and after students had been wearing them without serious incident, the ACLU said.
The two girls had their parents‘ permission to wear the bracelets but soon found themselves in the principal’s office at Easton Area Middle School, the lawsuit states. They were also banned from school dances for a month.
Amy Martinez said her daughter Kayla’s suspension seems unduly harsh, given that the 12-year-old had agreed to wear the bracelet inside out, with only a breast cancer-awareness website address showing. That, too, was deemed inappropriate under the school dress code, she said.
“I don’t believe that vulgarity, obscenity, profanity or nudity (in the school code) apply to the word ‘boobies’ or ‘breast,’” said Martinez, an accountant whose late aunt suffered from breast cancer.
“There were teachers that had ‘breast cancer awareness’ T-shirts on” in October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she said.
The ACLU calls the bracelets perhaps silly and irreverent, but not lewd or indecent.
“The First Amendment does not allow schools to censor students’ speech merely because some students and teachers are offended by the non-vulgar educational message, and silencing the speakers because other students may react inappropriately would amount to a constitutionally impermissible heckler’s veto,” the ACLU said in the suit.
“Seeing a bracelet with ‘I Love Boobies!’ on it is a conversation starter that leads to discussion and awareness of issues affecting young people,” the lawsuit said.
The lawsuit was filed Monday in federal court in Philadelphia on behalf of Martinez and Jennifer Hawk, the mother of an eighth-grader. The two girls are friends, Martinez said. Kayla Martinez continues to wear the bracelet to school under her sleeve, her mother said.
The suit asks the district to end the ban, allow the girls to attend all school functions and expunge their disciplinary records.
Easton’s superintendent did not immediately return a call for comment.
In discussions between the two sides before the lawsuit was filed, district officials complained the bracelets made some people uncomfortable and had prompted some boys to make inappropriate comments, the suit said.
“I don’t know … why the educators are not equipped to deal with distractions. Why do they have to ban, ban, ban?” Martinez said.
Schools from Florida to California have banned the bracelets.
The rubber jewelry is sold by the Carlsbad, Calif.-based nonprofit Keep A Breast Foundation to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer organizations.
___
Online:
Easton Area School District: http://www.eastonsd.org
Keep A Breast Foundation: http://www.keep-a-breast.org
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Comments (120)
Geloh
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 10:43amI love boobies too!!!!
Report Post »Novamax75
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 10:40amMy brother who is a senior in HS last year wore his Pro GUN Pro LIfe Conservative Heterosexual Any questions shirt to school and was forced to wear a jacket or wear it inside out… and yet kids could wear shirts with scantily clad women or alcohol or cigarettes or any number of racy/vulgar things… you tell me does his shirt make you angry or just state his beliefs… turning the shirt inside out didn’t stop my brother from chanting what he was all day a few people took it up.. now he’s allowed to wear it. To MIDWESTMOMOF3 I care about other cancers more than lung cancer personally feeling that majority of lung cancer is SELF inflicted… thus I feel it is an appropriate consequence. ALL i know for certain though is that I HEART BOOBIES>.. my girlfriend and her mom bought me a shirt that says if loving tatas is wrong I don’t wanna be right… guess what I have had more ELDERLY women come up to me and say thank you for spreading the word than anyone else. BOOBIES TATAS CHICHIS BREASTS are the offensive NO. At JOHN SEVEN EIGHTEEN If they said I love PENISES is there a penis cancer??? Now I LOVE COLONS OR PROSTATES would be pretty hilarious to see…. but we need to stop being hypocrites ourselves before we ask large CORPS and Government bodies to do the same they represent us and yes they are corrupt in many ways but really look at the American people… they represent us quite well lately.
Report Post »Sardu
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 10:40amI personally find the bracelets mildly objectionable for young people, but nothing to get one’s panties in a wad over.
Hey, can I say “panties”??
Report Post »davejag
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 10:23amCan’t wait for the Ovarian Cancer campaign.
Report Post »Gotta wonder about any parent who lets their daughter wear anything with the word “Boobies, sexxxy, hottie, etc.”. It’s just inappropriate, and its nice to see a school stand up for it.
GrumpyCat
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 10:19amBe sure to tune in next year folks when the same girls get suspended for *growing* breasts. :-(
Report Post »spirited
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 11:43amWhat’s next burkas?
Report Post »Okpulot Taha
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 11:53amMy comments are being posted a second time to defeat Iron Fist censorship here at the Blaze.
——
GRUMPY CAT is not so grumpy, “Be sure to tune in next year folks when the same girls get suspended for *growing* breasts.”
Ha! Too comically true! Reminds me of grandpa. Southeast Oklahoma is known for hot humid days during summer. There were days on our farm when temperatures would hit a hundred degrees and weather would be raining tadpoles and frogs. Right miserable out there knocking down weeds amongst stalks of corn, wet from sweat and wet from rain.
Days like those clothes became torture, felt like wearing steamy wash rags men use for morning shaving. So darn hot you would suffer the vapors then faint. When much younger, I would simply drop my overalls, step out and work in the nude. Grandpa put an end to this, “Girl, you done get your overhauls (overalls) back on, ain‘t fittin’ for a girl to be naked.”
Grandpa did allow me to do without a shirt on hot humid days. Had to wear my overalls, but he did not mind if I tossed aside my shirt while working out in the fields.
Like crops, a day came I began reaching harvesting season. Grandpa, for a month of Sundays, kept glancing at me and shaking his head. At night, after we kids are sent off to bed, too hot and humid to sleep, I hear grandpa and grandma out in our front room talking up a storm, “Bertha, that there girl is budding out, she has got to start wearing a shirt.” Grandma replies, “Cecil, she ain’t budding out, she’s blossoming out. She’s becoming a woman, ain’t nothing wrong with that.” Grandma never owned a bra during her entire life, nor panties. In fact, none of us girls did, until later in life off the farm.
Grandpa rules, I have to start wearing our stereotypical long sleeve white shirt under my overalls.
Now I sweat like crazy, my shirt becomes drenching wet and the boys take to staring. A girl wearing a wet shirt only serves to draw their attention and to have them whispering, snickering and talking of harvesting melons.
For girls there is BB time and AB time, Before Breasts and After Breasts. During our BB era, we girls are just another boy, someone to throw dirt clods at, someone to wrestle. Upon birth of breasts, our AB era, suddenly those boys are sniffing after a girl like a hound dog sniffing out a b i t c h in heat.
This breasts issue is a masculine problem; boys simply cannot deal with ours being bigger and prettier. Boys just go all haywire in the head when confronted with our feminine assets, up here and back there.
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
paul6012
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:58amAnd another reason for “Planned Parenthood”… If that’s all these women have to do with their time, they need to get off the dole, and get a life!
Report Post »zagfan
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:57amAn incredible education moment was lost in all of this. Young boys and men also develop Breast Cancer. What a more perfect time to set the girls and boys down and give them an education in breast checks and to help them understand the cure rate. Many kids will, at some point, know someone or they them selves will have breast cancer. Twelve years old is the perfect time to start the education.
Political Correctness is going to kill people out of ignorance.
Report Post »Thug sauce
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:54amWhy do people care about “awareness causes”?
Report Post »Whoopdedoo… im aware of breast cancer, so what who cares, this does nothing.
Spend your money on researching for cures rather than awareness
zagfan
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 10:26amI truly hope you are being sarcastic, if you aren‘t then you just don’t get it! Awareness has lead to people finding lumps and getting early treatment. It has brought the death rate down dramatically…through awareness!
Report Post »SATX 19
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:54amI wish the ACLU would use this statement in every single lawsuit in which people are offended that a true AMERICAN rides to school with a flag on his bike, or shows up at school wearing a “Proud to be Heterosexual” shirt during anti-gay bullying week. F’N HYPOCRITES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“The First Amendment does not allow schools to censor students’ speech merely because some students and teachers are offended by the non-vulgar educational message, and silencing the speakers because other students may react inappropriately would amount to a constitutionally impermissible heckler’s veto,” the ACLU said in the suit.
Report Post »Okpulot Taha
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 10:17amSATX 19 wears labels, “…rides to school with a flag on his bike, or…wearing a ‘Proud to be Heterosexual’ shirt….”
Displaying our American flag promotes patriotism. This is good.
Displaying a “Proud To Be Heterosexual” logo promotes bigotry. This is not good.
You are afforded free speech as should be. However, there is a need to sort out right from wrong.
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
Capitalist Mama
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 3:48pm“Proud to be Straight” does not promote bigotry any more than “Proud to be Gay” does. There’s Gay Pride parades. Why can’t there be Straight Pride parades? There is gay pride shirts and gay pride weeks (albeit not usually in high school, but in college). Why can’t there be straight pride shirts and straight pride weeks?
The anti bullying week at school focused on kids who were gay. Why can’t we also acknowledge that straight kids get bullied?
Why does one get celebrated simply because it is the minority? If one is proud to be gay, can’t a kid be proud to be straight?
Report Post »Okpulot Taha
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 4:58pmCAPITALIST MAMA is brave ” ‘Proud to be Straight’ does not promote bigotry any more than ‘Proud to be Gay’ does.”
Alright then, you slip you on a T-Shirt with a logo “Proud To Be White” and parade yourself around Harlem. Should you survive this experiment, slip you on a T-Shirt with a logo “Proud To Be Muslim” and attend Christian church services down in little fly speck town in Kentucky. Still alive, slip you on a T-Shirt with a logo “Proud To Be American” and buy yourself a cerveza in a bar in Ciudad Juárez just south of El Paso. Enjoy your beer, this one will be your last.
All of us have a right to wear logo shirts. This is free speech. We also have a right to accept consequences.
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
Capitalist Mama
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 8:01pmOKPULOT,
I think you missed the point completely. Wearing a shirt that simply states “Proud to be ____” is not bigotry. You imply that it’s perfectly okay for a majority to harm or kill a minority for being proud of their minority status. Really???
Harlem residents may not particularly like a “Proud to be White” shirt, but that does not give them the right to kill the wearer. It also does not make the wearer a bigot. If anything, it makes the residents criminals. I don’t think you quite grasp the fact that everyone has the right to be proud of who they are.
Report Post »Okpulot Taha
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 2:00amCAPITALIST MAMA will not capitalize on this, “I think you missed the point completely.”
Always delights me when a person accuses me of precisely what this person is doing. In this case, a DC-8 buzzed right over your head, unnoticed by you. I love those old aeroliners, well made, reliable and spacious inside. Only aeroliner I have ever boarded, back when I was child.
CAPITALIST MAMA continues, “Wearing a shirt that simply states “Proud to be ____” is not bigotry.”
There you are, a close call with a DC-8 and I am the pilot! Mama, you are not paying attention. I clearly wrote “promotes bigotry”. I did not write this “is bigotry”. Not only did I write “promotes”, I subsequently provided examples of how select logo sayings “promote” bigotry. For each case example, your wearing my pretend logo T-Shirt “promoted” others to display bigotry directed at you.
CAPITALIST MAMA elects to engage in deceit, “You imply that it’s perfectly okay for a majority to harm or kill a minority for being proud of their minority status.”
I am disappointed you are engaging in deceit. I did not suggest this nor hint at this. Deceit is not consistent with a conservative philosophy, nor is deceit consistent with American patriotism.
CAPITALIST MAMA continues to not pay attention, “I don’t think you quite grasp the fact that everyone has the right to be proud of who they are.”
Which is why you read “Choctaw Nation” at the bottom of every article I write.
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
Okpulot Taha
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:47amDang! What a bunch of boobs! Give those school administrators a booby prize then drop them down a booby hatch along with parents who stepped into this booby trap of idiocy!
Our American peoples are blithering booboisie.
When I first read this title of Seidl, I thought this would be another American rant about breast feeding then discovered this about an often fatal issue, breast cancer. I am not sure which frightens ignorant puritanical Americans more, lactating breasts or tumorous breasts.
This is certain, what scares the daylights out of Californians are small breasts. There is more silicone in California than fat on Michelle Obama’s butt, and this is a lot of fat!
“A word is only offensive when wrapped within hatred” – Taha
A smart school administrator would run with this issue to defuse objection. An early morning public address announcement,
“Good morning! This Monday morning kicks off breast cancer awareness week here at Booger Flicker Middle School. Please join me in chanting our breast cancer awareness slogan. On the count of three, say ‘boobies’ three times, 1… 2… 3… BOOBIES! BOOBIES! BOOBIES! That was great! Your teacher will be handing out breast cancer awareness fliers, please take one home to your parents.”
This fine art of discipline includes a method of defusing bad behavior. A young kid cannot be stopped from thinking wrongful thoughts nor stopped from engaging in wrongful behaviors. A “boobies” chant affords kids a chance to say this word without ending up in trouble. This removes the motivation of a badness thrill. Sure, kids will grin, giggle, keep saying “boobies” all day long but by Tuesday kids will begin talking about breast cancer and by Friday this will be a serious cause supported by kids.
This is a discipline method of “changing context”. This is to attach a correct context to any given word or expression. This is rendering a negative into a positive.
Annoys me Americans are too ignorant to think of such a simple solution, too ignorant and too self-righteous. This is, of course, a side effect of America being a nation of borderline illiterates.
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
printdesignchicago.com
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 4:45pmhahahaha! great comments as usual!
Report Post »Okpulot Taha
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 2:52amPRINT DESIGN CHICAGO snorts, “hahahaha! great comments as usual!”
* jiggles and grins *
Such a timeless topic, a delightful subject discussed since Neandertal men of yesterday, and I do mean literally yesterday; Neandertals are far from extinct.
People are way too uptight about our bodies, actually psychotic, especially you boys who become absolutely anxiety ridden at the very sight of a cool water backyard swimming pool.
This is all so silly, people act like none of us know exactly what is under your clothes.
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
ChuckNorton1
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:46amThere is an epidemic of censorship in schools. As much as I oppose litigation, this is a basic human rights issue and the school administrators are using color of law to violate human rights. So sue them and take them to the cleaners.
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:46amOur kids are coming out of schools that can’t read, add, or write. Now they are worried about bracelets. Guy’s can wear their hair long and their pants around their butts. But they are worried about bracelets. Girls can wear dresses so short that you can almost see their navels. But they are worried about bracelets.
Boys and girls can’t pray or say the pledge of allegiance, and the school is worried about bracelets.
Our kids can’t even take care of themselves when they graduate from school and the schools are worried about bracelets.
Report Post »beekeeper
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 10:54amI remember the fit some “parents” threw when one Texas school district imposed a “no clevage” rule in their dress code. Mothers actually stormed the school board meetings demanding that their daughters be allowed to put their assets on display on school grounds (Arlington School District, August, 2006)
Report Post »M31Sailor
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:45amBill Cilnton wore an intern, named Monica, Spitzer wore a prostitute, John Edwards wore a campaign aide, Jesse Jackson wore a piece on the side all these jokers are still revered by the left.
Report Post »And they are worried about the word Boobies??
Pyx
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:35amAlthough I like Boobys, I don’t know if I would go so far as to say I love Boobys. You have to admit though, the Blue-footed Booby is a striking looking seabird.
Report Post »Ronko
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:32amWe seriously need to get rid of the Department of Education and replace it with something better and cheaper, the Nanny State idea is getting ridiculous
Report Post »Parkeralan
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 3:30pmRight on Ronko!
Report Post »seanpatriot
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:31amWhy dont the bracelets just say “Breast Cancer Awareness”? if its really about that then
Report Post »john seven eighteen
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:56ambecause that would never lead to the publicity that these bracelets are now getting worldwide.
Report Post »EP46
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:17amPerhaps again, this could have been a “Teaching Moment”. How about a school film regarding the serious of breast cancer and having the student body join together to do something good, raise money to donate. The ‘boys’ who were making inappropriate comments might benefit from a school talk given by a mother who is a breast cancer survivor. The ‘boobies’ is quite juvenile, but so are these kids. This could have been used to educate and engage young people about a serious illness….but no, it has to turn into a ‘let’s get a lawyer and get some $$$’. Such a shame
Report Post »Kimberli
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:12amBracelets like these promote a money pit! With all the money thrown at cancer and no cure in sight I wonder where the money is really going.
Report Post »MidwestMomof3
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:24amActually, the cure rate for breast cancer is now at over 90% thanks in large part to the awareness campaigns. It is also one of *the* highest funded per death federally.
You want one with almost zero change in death rate over the last 30+ years? Look into lung cancer! Almost zero funding from anywhere and kills more people a year than breast, colon, and cervical cancers **combined**.
Report Post »Kimberli
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:32amQuoting #’s does not change my opinion, does not make me wrong and does not make you right.
Report Post »MidwestMomof3
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:41amWow, my appologies for giving you the correct numbers about survival rate in response to “no cure in sight”.
I did not say you were wrong in your opinion of the bracelets and I gave no opinion of my own about them therefor there is nothing for me to be “right” about.
Report Post »Nutthuggers
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 10:20amYeah I believe the Breast Cancer Foundation is a scam. The NFL wearing pink, everything pink in stores, breast cancer this, breast cancer that, yada, yada, yada. Huge marketing gimmick. How about a childrens charity being that popular. How about raising that much money for children that never get to reach the age to grow breasts….
Report Post »printdesignchicago.com
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:01amand these same ‘mothers against boobies’ are the ones who think sex is ‘dirty’ and something to be ashamed of. tsk! tsk! tsk!
Report Post »docvet
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 3:10pmThere is nobody more obsessed with sex than a censor. They see it everywhere!
Report Post »printdesignchicago.com
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:00amnow this is where my libertarian comes out…. we need to quit trying to legislate STYLE AND TASTE or DENY OR FORCE OUR PERSONAL TASTE ON OTHERS. sometimes, my conservative brethren, you can border on the prudish and be worse than provincial quakers, for FREEDOM’S SAKE.
everyone ‘hearts’ boobies, you dolts!
Report Post »Strife
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:06amWe all <3 Boobies, but schools have the right to have a dress code, same reason they can make you wear school uniforms, or not allow guys to wear earrings, or dye your hair hot pink etc etc.
Report Post »john seven eighteen
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:13amI think it is more a matter of where to draw the line. What if a group of people wanted to support pe_is cancer? Can you imagine kids walking around with bracelets that said I *heart* pe_nises?” Or testical cancer? Just my opinion.
Report Post »LadyIzShy
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 8:56amhmm.. Not sure how I feel about this.. yes the girls should be able to wear the bracelet as long as other bracelets are allowed. BUT to sue over this seems over the top..I will be interested to see if they go ahead and lift the ban now that they are being sued.
On a side note the salvation army bell ringers are out. when we stopped to donate he said happy holidays.. i want to hear MERRY Christmas.. next time if i do not hear them tell others Merry Christmas I will NOT donate
Report Post »john seven eighteen
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:10am“…next time if i do not hear them tell others Merry Christmas I will NOT donate…”
I wish you would have asked him if The Salvation Army is requiring them to say that or if he just does it on his own. I think if the Salvation Army purposely uses the Christmas season to ask for money, because they know it is the time of year when everyone is most giving, they should be saying Merry Christmas!!
Report Post »dkhartman
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 10:04amYep when I’m at a place of business around Christmas and they say happy holidays I always reply with MERRY CHRISTMAS in a very cheery yet loud voice!!! My friends sister works at a hair salon and they told her she can’t say Christmas! What a shame….
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 1:32pmWhen the bell ringers say happy holidays to me I respond Merry Christmas and thier eyes light up and they say Merry Christmas back. I think the SA tells them to do the PC thing but most of these kind folks are Christian and are thrilled to return your Merry Christmas.
Report Post »Strife
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 8:52amI can see why the school wouldn’t want the bracelets… I don’t have any problem with that… BUT, if they wore them to school, just make them take it off and have the parents come pick the bracelets up if they wanted them back.
Honestly, they are distracting to a middle school/high school age kids.
So while I think the punishment was probably harsh, I don’t have a problem with the school banning them and enforcing the ban.
The 1st amendment rights argument doesn‘t work here as it’s in school
Report Post »what4
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:43amYour last line says it all, If you belive in communism….just a school..indoctrinate them young?
Report Post »dkhartman
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:58amIf you let the government stop free speech in schools then you basically give them the right to end free speech wherever they like.. It’s all or nothing!!!
Report Post »Nutthuggers
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 10:31amThe problem is that children/parents don’t have a choice in which Government School their child goes to. Since families aren’t allowed to choose which Government School their children attend they have no say in what free speech is allowed in the school; it is dictated by the Government. In private schools parents have a say in what speech is allowed and isn’t allowed in school. If you don’t like the rules of the school you can pull your child out and the school loses revenue. Government schools have no motivation to satisfy parents or children because they have no say in the schools funding. Public Education is a means to control the masses. Take money through taxes at the point of a gun and give a family no choice in which school the child has to attend…..
Report Post »Keep suing them every time you feel they are infringing on free speech you feel strongly about. Sue them into submission….
beekeeper
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 11:00amNUTTHUGGERS – People have the right to live anywhere they like, and attend any public school they want. Of course, finances enter in to the equation, but no one is stopping them from moving.
In “Waiting for Superman” they highlight one high school that has had 60, 000 students enter, but only 20,000 ever graduated since it first opened. Parents still send their kids to this hell-hole, knowing the odds of even graduating – I say time to move.
Report Post »Nutthuggers
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 11:16amBeekeeper; Why shouldn’t parents be able to send their children to any Government School they want? Parents pay taxes to the federal school system, why shouldn’t they be able to send their children to any government school.
Report Post »You know the answer: People like you don’t want parents to be able to choose because they may send their children to a school in your area. We all know that most people are forced to pay taxes into the federal system but do not have the money to move to a better school district. You are for people being forced to pay into the Federal School system but not being allowed to send them to any Federal school. The sun is shining on you….
Nutthuggers
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 11:30amBeeKeeper: A childs Federal Taxpayer money should follow them to whatever school they choose to go to regardless of where they live. Then the schools, and teachers, are forced to compete with other schools for students and taxpayer dollars. The unions (and yourself) want to keep the policy of “no choice” in which school to attend. This causes schools to not care what parents or children want knowing they have a captive student body. There is no need or desire to run a better school because….there is no reason too……
Report Post »Strife
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 12:57pmTo kind of clear up my last line, that the 1st amendment doesn’t work “here”(as in, for this argument) since it’s in school… The 1st amendment doesn’t give you the right to dress however you want in school. Just as it doesn’t give you the right to wear short shorts, tank tops, hats or a lot of other things that are against school rules.
The school isn‘t banning the bracelets because it’s against the intended message. They are banning the bracelets because they cause unneeded distractions in a school environment.
That was my meaning… I probably should have clarified that a little more before hitting submit.
Report Post »Capitalist Mama
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 1:47pm“The school isn‘t banning the bracelets because it’s against the intended message. They are banning the bracelets because they cause unneeded distractions in a school environment.”
I agree with this 100%. Schools need to be a place, firstly, of learning. Kids need to take school seriously. I would support banning the bracelets on the fact they are distracting; the schools can confiscate and then parents could pick up the bracelets after school. No further punishment required. The dance thing is too severe.
There’s plenty of places the kids can wear the bracelets that do not affect learning.
Report Post »A1955Rosie
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 8:51amThese bands speak like PUBESCENT BOYS on a very serious subject. I swear aclu were the ones that thought this up and they’re probably married to the 2 moms that brought the suit. IT’S JUST ANOTHER WAY FOR ACLU TO TEAR AT THE MORAL FABRIC OF THIS COUNTRY. THE ROAD TO HELL IS PAVED W/GOOD INTENTIONS.
Report Post »john seven eighteen
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 8:55amI don’t know, around here all the young kids really like them and their parents are either buying them for them or allowing them to have them. I think as long as they bring more awareness to breast cancer they should be okay to wear, but then i understand it brings up the question, “where do you draw the line”? I can imagine some pretty racy slogans winding up on those bracelets.
Report Post »KenInIL
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 10:22amThey are teaching our kids about homosexuality in the early grades before they have any idea of what sexuality is even about. They teach our kids about screwing in the fifth grade and why its bad in case there is an early case puberty. Now they complain about the kids using that knowledge !!! WTF !!!
Let kids be kids!
Report Post »GardenoftheGods
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 11:07amAmen! Meanwhile the ACLU does nothing as we lose our 4th Amendment rights at airports all over the country! They say nothing about that because they’re too busy with “Boobies” bracelets! ACLU is fast becoming a waste of space!
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 1:01pmI don’t think the girls are wearing them for breast cancer awareness I think the wear them for attention. I can almost hear the giggling in the halls as I sit here in my office typing. The idea of pubescent girls driving the yougn men crazy for a disease that, I think, we are ALL aware of is ridiculous. Emily Post must be rolling over in her grave, girls, please TRY to have a little class.
Report Post »HouseNegro
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 8:48amI heart Boobies too. Free the Boobies……….
Report Post »what4
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:41amand at the TSA Feel the Boobies!
Report Post »Sledgehammer
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:50amBrother I’m with you, and I support the fight against breast cancer! These are the kind of (against cancer) fights, that don’t give me the night sweats! Let‘s kick it’s butt!
Report Post »JGP
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 11:51amI heart boobies also.
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 2:05pmSo.. we should get the boys bracelets that say I heart testicles? Testicular cancer awareness.
Report Post »JGP
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 5:37pmUntameable-kate, thats funny! Good point!
Report Post »Whole Nine Yards
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 8:47amYou go, girls!
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:03amOnce again at the schools we see the PC garbage being carried to the extremes of – do not make it so offensive for anyone. Why not have students wear shirts that say they find the lack of a proper education (one that teaches the truth) to be offensive, and see how long they are permitted to keep them on.
http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm
ME
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:14amThis is news we need? not the fact that millions of Pounds are going to Guantanamo detains hay Im just a idiot out here that is coming to the blaze less and less for news but if I need to know about a boobie bracelet you will be first.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/16/guantanamo-bay-compensation-claim
john seven eighteen
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:23am@ME
You still get all the news that matters here at The Blaze, but in between stories what is wrong with posting stories that are just humurous or provacative? the whole point of this site is to get people talking and giving their opinions. There‘s no law that says we can’t have a little fun while doing it.
Report Post »ConsChristian
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:40amThe fear of cancer is going to give you cancer.
ME
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:42am@john seven eighteen
Yes you are right, I would just like to see more diversity in the serious stories and some follow ups as well. I am an insider and listen to every Beck show but must say have been a bit disappointed in the blaze was hoping for a deeper type of Drudge not there fault just my expectation. Would be nice if they had an area for news the readers find (that could go bad quick) or a digital drop box for suggested stories. Just when I see that millions of dollars (Pounds) are going to Guantanamo detains that seem like a blaze story and there is not a peep (YET) :)
Report Post »Paradigmm
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:46amJohn Seven Eighteen:
It’s thought manipulation 101, tell the lie with authority then quickly switch to something emotional. Surprised you didn’t see it yourself.
Report Post »john seven eighteen
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:49am@ME
Understood. There are some areas of the Blaze that could use improving, for sure, but I am hoping it is a work in progress. I’m still wondering why, ever since I signed up a month or so ago, I have never received a single news story or newsletter in my email box like they advertise. Also, I think they should use a comment system that alerts you when someone responds to one of your posts. Hopefully that will come.
Report Post »wildjoker5
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:53amWhat if they were boys wearing the bracelets?
Report Post »Nutthuggers
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:54amProducers (people who work and pay taxes) need to continue suing the public education system for every little infraction we find. Overload the system and crush it under debt. If liberals want to take from us, we will play their game and crush their union run businesses. Sue, sue, sue every government agency you can for every little infraction you find. We will either crush the system or at least get rich trying!
Report Post »john seven eighteen
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:54am@Paradigmm
No, you’re not even close. I, for one, don’t solely rely on ANYONE or any news organization to give me a complete news story. I‘m a big boy and can research a story on my own through the miriad of outlets available to us in today’s society. If you really think The Blaze is practicing thought manipulation I would suggest you have lost your trust in every news source and are strating to think Big Brother is out to get you. Believe it or not, there are still viable news sources out there, but like anything else, you need to keep them in check by verifying their stories with multiple sources. Sorry, I just don’t buy your argument.
Report Post »Rogue
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 10:38am@ Nutt – Sueing everyone in government is absolutely the wrong way to accomplish you goal. Every lawsuit has the possibility of the enacting of many more constraints to our freedoms. Your idea will grow government larger, not smaller. They aren’t going to shut down because of case load, they will just hire more federal lawyers, spend more tax dollars, and use rulings to expand restrictive laws.
Report Post »beekeeper
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 10:39amME – There is a “Have a tip?” box at the bottom of the page, type in your tip and hit submit!
It’s been there since the first day, AFAIK.
As for the boobie bracelet, well, the whole thing seems a bit contrived to me – the bracelets are defended as “conversation starters” with whom? To what end? Is this an issue among their peer group? Most of the girls at that age don’t even HAVE boobies yet, and they are already drumming up fear over breast cancer in these 12 year-old girls?
Seems to me, the moms have an agenda, and they are using their children to advocate on their behalf.
I wonder how many conversations the bracelet being worn under the shirt sleeve (out of sight) has started? How is that increasing awareness?
The real offense, in my opinion, is that this generation is being taught that wearing a bracelet, going for a walk, or signing a petition will somehow cure a medical condition, find a solution, or effect change in our government…
Report Post »Luckywon
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 10:57amI can see the schools point. I don’t believe that they are popular among kids because they are trying to bring awareness to breast cancer. they are provocative bracelets disguised as harmless cancer awareness bracelets. Just not the case. Imagine boys wearing bracelets with little rubber testicles hanging from them, or t shirts saying – “got Nuts?” to bring awareness to testicular cancer. It’s not as if young kids need to be aware of either cancer at 12 years old.
Report Post »Nutthuggers
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 11:00am@Rogue in response to your quote: “They aren’t going to shut down because of case load, they will just hire more federal lawyers, spend more tax dollars, and use rulings to expand restrictive laws.”
The schools have to choose where to spend their funds; on union teachers salaries, buildings, books, lawyers, etc…. I want them to hire more people and spend more tax money. I want the Government to go bankrupt sooner (which it is definitely going to in my lifetime) than later. The federal government is bankrupt. Now is the time to push hard against them legally for the changes we want. They definitely can’t afford to hire more federal lawyers, pay out more in judgments, spend more in an area that doesn’t help out the teachers union. Watch…..This lawsuit will cause the school to cave to the parents wishes. You sue them and get them to cave to your demands, or you sue and tie up their time and money in an area they would rather not spend their precious union dollars. What more restrictions do you think they would implement? They implement more they get sued more. See how it works?
Report Post »mizflame98
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 12:18pmWhat, the pink ribbon doesn‘t bring enough awareness that we now need to have our little girls refer to women’s anatomy as “boobies”? So classy.
Report Post »LUDWIKA BRONISLAWA
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:33pmI’ve seen GUYS at BARS wearing t-shirts with that statement on them. The whole thing is completely over done. I’ve very effectively become DESENSITIZED. Congrats! Nobody cares about breast cancer anymore, shock them with your ‘boobie’ bracelet and have a good giggle children. Overexposure will be the death of compassion.
Report Post »rsbls
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 12:58pmI remember middle school. Over the summer you’d go back to school and looked to see who grew. Kids are not mature enough and it will become disruptive in the halls, the classroom, and the library. Rather than ban the bracelets however, if the kids state they want to raise awareness – It’s assembly time. That’s right. Complete with pictures, awareness, fundraisers, organizations, speakers, survivors, doctors, families that have been affected. Raise awareness, start a fundraiser and all of the sudden you are not being disruptive, you become involved, informed, educated, and charitable.
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