Tenn. School Confiscates Student Newspapers

I went through a battle as editor of my college newspaper which ended in my turning to the right politically due to the harsh treatment from many liberal professors in trying to quash information the student editors chose to publish. What you censor can hurt you more than what you publish.

This looks like a horse of a different color.

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. - Copies of a high school's student newspaper were seized by administrators because the edition contained stories about birth control and tattoos, stirring a First Amendment debate.

Administrators at Oak Ridge High School went into teachers' classrooms, desks and mailboxes to retrieve all 1,800 copies of the newspaper Tuesday, said teacher Wanda Grooms, who advises the staff, and Brittany Thomas, the student editor.

The Oak Leaf's birth control article listed success rates for different methods and said contraceptives were available from doctors and the local health department. Superintendent Tom Bailey said the article needed to be edited so it would be acceptable for the entire school.

Comments

[blue]

It is about time someone stood up for what is right and decent. It time to take back our schools from the students as well as time we take back our country from a bunch of heathen liberals. I have no use for foolishness in schools for they are supposed to be learning institutions not houses of ill repute....blue

[*flo*]

Posted by: blue | Nov 27, 2005 6:44:12 PM

blue, I think its appropriate high school students be educated on birth control/social diseases then lose a graduation opportunity.
The tattoo picture, states unidentified student, so its a picture of a tattoo...many parents allow their children to get a tattoo, facial piercings...ect, the only thing I can see wrong here would be suppression of the 1st amendment, this will be the next generation running this country in the next 15 yrs or so...I would hate to think we won't have free speech then or a reformed welfare program...this could be very real if there are no changes in agendas.
I recall reading somewhere here, 150+ pregnant students at some high school in one year. Says alot for setting priorities for a student.

[cindi in pa]

Says alot for setting priorities for a student.

Posted by: *flo* | Nov 27, 2005 7:25:40 PM

What it would say was poor parenting on the part of these pregnant children. Sorry, but birth control, body piercings and tattoos are still under my control, while my children are in high school. Bravo to the school Administrators for being responsible adults.

[*flo*]

Posted by: cindi in pa | Nov 27, 2005 7:44:08 PM

Would you call it responsible when a Jr High student has access to local newspaper at school?...Many ads for birth control..abortion clinics...police blots...ect, yes, its a parents responsibility to educate their child, as we both know its not always the case. I don't think a child should live in a sheltered environment, by the time they get to high school, they should know what birth control is used for, leading to less teen pregnancy.

[Paulo]

I have also been in a very similar situation. Being one of the editors of my college newspaper placed me in circumstances at times when I felt the very notion of good versus evil or better still, the spokesperson for First Amendment rights and the “free” voice.

This particular incident in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, is in and of itself a peculiar affair. While these students should (and do) have the right to publish what they believe will be in the best interests of others, nonetheless, none of them are in the position to do so. There comes a time when hopefully we have matured and become responsible for what we do. This notion is certainly not the case with the student paper or those who contributed or “advised.”

My position is that there are not that many people in this country who know and understand the entirety of free speech. Free speech carries with it an inherent responsibility that should be observed. Moreover, there is quite a difference between the right to free speech and the right to be heard. I suggest that the latter is what Superintendent Tom Bailey is trying to implement. Furthermore, I feel it is time for more of his kind of action---fix it, then print it---type of responsibility that more people in his position should be doing.

Talking heads in this country are far more motivated by what they can earn rather than what their mouths are espousing. No where is this more evident than in the MSM. Recent polls clearly suggest that the American people do not trust their press. And again of course this very same idea has trickled over into the electronic press as well. I feel that Mark Furhman is an excellent example of this condition, who, although he perjured himself in a court of law, lied about evidence handling, and is a self-proclaimed racist to boot, is now quite revered in the media as an expert law enforcement officer. Really running along side of Geraldo Rivera, so what’s this about?

As for me, if you are still reading this treatise, since when has a high school student shown good judgment lately? Moreover, as I read and watch the news, when has a teacher shown the same? Mr. Bailey makes a convincing argument about the tattoo and the unknowing parents. Worse still, is the so-called advisor who suggested that this article/student paper would make it past the principal’s office.

We sit and wonder about the alleged parenting in our country or the lack thereof. What if a copy of this student newspaper ended up on your kitchen table?

Paulo

[cindi in pa]

Thank you Paulo, very well said.

[*flo*]

What if a copy of this student newspaper ended up on your kitchen table?

Paulo

Posted by: Paulo | Nov 27, 2005 8:44:05 PM

I would say...its about time someone takes responsibility in a progressive world.

[Robert]

There are some areas in the life of children that are best left to parents. It is the parent's role to educate their child in some private areas. The shools in the USA are failing to teach math, english, history and science. They have enough to do without intruding on private family matters.

[CitizenDick]

I'll sctually reserve comment until Dan gets a copy of the paper and prints it. Can you do it Dan?

[Dan]

No but see here for more:
http://blogs.knoxnews.com/knx/silence/archives/2005/11/searches_and_se_1.shtml

[Dan]

and here

http://www.atomictumor.com/school-paper-vs-the-man.htm#comment-467

[CitizenDick]

Let me relate an anecdote. I am friendly with a couple in my town both of whom I graduated from High School with. They have children about the same age as mine. The mom discovered a few years ago her daughter was sexually active. Mom got daughter on the pill pronto and swore her to secrecy so Dad would never find out because he was an old school Catholic who just couldn't get past his upbringing.

The article seemed direct and very informative.

Piercing and tatooing are the current youth's way of establishing their identity. The harder you try to just suppress it, the more likely it will happen on your daughter's 18th birthday. Better idea is a peer driven article pointing out the problems that could occur. If the remaining articles take that tack, then the principal needs replaced.

The biggest problem with school administrators these days is that we are paying them like they are professionals capable of exercising wisdom and judgment and we get knee jerkers who aren't as smart as their janitors.

[Shonane]

What it would say was poor parenting on the part of these pregnant children. Sorry, but birth control, body piercings and tattoos are still under my control, while my children are in high school. Bravo to the school Administrators for being responsible adults.

Posted by: cindi in pa | Nov
=============
Poor parenting IMO would be when someone is not willing to talk frankly to their children about sex, while expressing proper morals, also explaining about birth control. No matter how wonderful the parents, their children have their own minds and will and do things differently - frequently - than the parents told them to do.

We had several pregnancies in my high school, including a preachers daughter who spent most of her time in church related activities - problem was she was in love with her boyfriend and - well, she did it. Her parents were kind loving people and were, indeed, good parents. Same for many kids who get pregnant. Frequently it is the kids who didn't get good education about birth control who do get pregnant.

Hope your children turn out to be as perfect as you think they will be. Most parents realize they cannot control their children even though they try. It is critical to give them the facts, discussions about choices and consequences, and hope they make the right decisions. Plenty of GOOD PARENTS have children that get in trouble for a lot of things.

[*flo*]

CitizenDick, this is the link for the actual local news article

http://oakridger.com/stories/112405/new_20051123016.shtml

you may need to sign up, however, the links Dan provided are also noted in the news article forum (upper right)post 3884. Its a chuckle to know this community is well known for the development of materials, Manhattan Project in 1942. Today its community is also known for its engineering division, IPIX, Interactive Picture, Inc., Median family income, $57,000/yr some interesting stats;)

[cindi in pa]

Plenty of GOOD PARENTS have children that get in trouble for a lot of things.

Posted by: Shonane | Nov 28, 2005 12:48:33 AM

Sure they get into trouble for things. However teaching them that birth control is an answer to unacceptable behavior is not the answer. Teaching them that a child is often the result of premarital sex is reality and a better form of birth control. Getting body piercing, tattoos is a major contributor of Hepatitis C is also a reality. No different from teaching them a credit card is not a license to spend at will. With all things we need to teach them the consequences. That is the reality I have chosen to teach my 18, 19. 19 and 22 year old children. So far, so good. No teen pregnancy and no piercing or tattoos, have to admit in today's society, were parents often condone such behavior, I would have to say, we are batting a thousand. We did all of this by bringing them up with morals, a close relationship with one another and our community, including their faith and church life. It's folks with liberal attitudes, they have learned to avoid.

[Isanah]

Paulo

Posted by: Paulo | Nov 27, 2005 8:44:05 PM

Great post! Yes, where was that advisor prior to printing that school paper? Of course, if I was a student there that day, you would have to beat that copy out of my hands! Priceless, what a day in the life of a public school that must have been!

[Isanah]

Hope your children turn out to be as perfect as you think they will be. Most parents realize they cannot control their children even though they try. It is critical to give them the facts, discussions about choices and consequences, and hope they make the right decisions. Plenty of GOOD PARENTS have children that get in trouble for a lot of things.

Posted by: Shonane | Nov 28, 2005 12:48:33 AM

Speaking from my own experience with having a baby at the age of sixteen, I feel that apathy is the main reason many teens become pregnant, not because of ignorance. If education focused on providing self-esteem and resourcefulness, there would be no need to teach birth control to students. A good biology course, a dynamic education, and a healthy dose of professional teachers helping to promote self-esteem would enable young people with the awareness they need in life!

[cindi in pa]

A good biology course, a dynamic education, and a healthy dose of professional teachers helping to promote self-esteem would enable young people with the awareness they need in life!

Posted by: Isanah | Nov 28, 2005 1:56:43 AM

Well said Isanah. Bless you for raising a child as a child yourself. I am sure you passed on your knowledge to your own child. Reality does not require birth control, or body piercing. Simple self respect will do it.

[betsy]

Well, I grew up in Oak Ridge, went to the really good high school there, and think it's kinda sad those in control have made this jump to restricting the paper in this way.

Betsy

[Isanah]

Well said Isanah. Bless you for raising a child as a child yourself. I am sure you passed on your knowledge to your own child. Reality does not require birth control, or body piercing. Simple self respect will do it.

Posted by: cindi in pa | Nov 28, 2005 2:07:29 AM

Thanks, Cindi! Yes, I am so very proud of my daughter! At 28 yrs. of age, she is happily married, has completed her education degree, and last year had my first grandchild! For awhile there, I thought I would never be a grandmother by her! Mixed blessing that she is able to stay home with her son, those kindergarteners are having to do without a great teacher! My daughter is very special and has so many friends that just love her! I'm so glad that I had her and God blessed me with the wisdom and strength to do right by her! Though I certainly wouldn't wish a teen pregnancy on anyone, the whole experience has shaped my life for the better. Parents remember the most important thing is to cherish your children and enable them to regard themselves as valued individuals with unlimited opportunity to meet their goals in life! IMO, apathy comes from feeling alone in this world and limiting one's self to living in the moment and not having faith in the future! Keep the faith alive in your children. This doesn't necessarily mean religion, it means believing in one's own ability to make good choices each and every day!

[DanceDiva]

Here is the website, courtesy of the Knoxville News-Sentinel, where you can read the student's article. I live in Oak Ridge and am deeply disappointed in how the administration handled what I feel is a well-researched and informative article.

http://web.knoxnews.com/images/news/1129oakridgedoc.jpg