Keep studying and take care.

I wear them to stand out, and I think many people generally think that I’m a bad kid because of them. But in all reality, I’m an honor student.

I feel like people should grow up and realize kids these days aren’t going to conform to their idea of a “student.”
PIERCINGS ROCK!

Just because your school’s policy requires you to remove your piercings in school does not necessarily mean that it is constitutional. The state and federal courts in your jurisdiction may decide that your school’s policy goes too far. But maybe not. There is no definitive answer at this point, and the outcome will most likely depend on how well the lawyers persuade the judge.

If you feel that this is an issue you want to address, you and your parents may wish to consult with a lawyer who is knowledgeable about constitutional law or contact your local ACLU chapter.

Rock on.

At this point, I am not aware of any published, federal cases involving service dogs where the person who suffers from dog dander wins. Although the right of service dogs in places of public accomodations is well established, it is not entirely clear how judges might balance competing interests between the service dogs in the schools and children who are severely allergic to dog dander. In the fact pattern as you’ve described it, the lawyers need to persuade the judge one way or the other — or, alternatively, the parties need to reach a compromise that benefits everyone. It is possible that there is a state case that offers more definitive answers; you may wish to contact an attorney in your state to evaluate your options.

There is no perfect solution. Education is the best defense. Taking away the service animal is the wrong answer; there is medicine for Allergies, but not for Disabilities.

No battle has ever been won on the basis of Allergies, because Allergies are treatable. You can never eliminate dander from school simply by removing the animal.

You might like to check out nosedial (just released). I have a brother with a disability and we are going to try it out so that he can access and dial contacts with some very simple gestures on the screen. I have no association with the software developers, just saw a video demonstrating it. I downloaded it and it seems to work as described.

Why don’t more adults and school administrators involve the students in the process of change? Why do adults tend to be reluctant in taking that “leap of faith” as you put it? What is it that prevents many adults from initiating and engaging in frank and honest discussion? These are questions I am not even sure I can answer.

Fifty years ago, parents sometimes talked about the “birds and the bees.” That has changed significantly in the last 25 years; teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases are part of the reasons why we are not so vague when it comes to the subject of sex. Likewise, I think in a decade or so, the youngsters of today will be far better in engaging the students of tomorrow. In the meanwhile, we must do what we can to enlighten school personnel and teachers, help them see things from the perspective of youngsters, remind them of children like Matt Epling, and help them understand why it’s important to enable students to become active participants in the classroom as opposed to passive robots. The school environment is (or should be) a microcosm of a larger society outside the school building.

Respect — now there’s a word I haven’t really heard much of lately. All this talk about bullying raises questions about criminal law, constitutional law, electronic communications law, and privacy law. In the legal world of bullying, the word “respect” is somehow absent.

Thank you for your comments and for your important work in motivating school personnel to involve students and be proactive in addressing bullying. Matt’s story is very important — and one that schools need to be reminded again and again. I am disappointed that Matt’s Law has not yet been passed into law, but I am hopeful that it will see the light of day before too long.

Thank you again.

The issue of “free speech” is very important for everyone, but yes, there is a line where speech is expressed as a means to intentionally hurt another and in a way maim their self confidence. Personally, I don’t think it is just a free speech issue at all with schools not wanting to extend their reach beyond their own walls, but one of “how do we handle it?” Schools took the position early on that what happens outside of school (physical/verbal) is not their concern, because it would be very difficult to work through the process. Now technology has come and blown those doors off the hinges, and schools are worse off than they were five to seven years ago. And they are still lost.

I agree with you that the only way to actually combat what is happening within our schools is to activate the students in the change process. The students are ready but again some adults are not willing to take the “leap of faith” it will require to move things forward. Open and honest discussion about the issues the kids are facing every day is something adults really don’t want to hear nor do many schools want to talk about (airing f dirty laundry).

I am one of those people who travel to schools with a very personal story, but I always ask the schools, “What will you do after I am gone?” I can come in and motivate them, but the teachers and the admins have to perpetuate the change. Both those being bullied and the bullies need to be better educated about the dangers and the social problems that bullying can and does cause in our country. We all have the right say something about one another but not the right to promote continual hate and then in turn recruit others to do the same for the singular purpose of intimidating another individual who cannot defend him- or herself. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

It goes beyond “free speech” — it is about returning to “respect.”

Thanks for the discussion.

You have brought an interesting perspective to this discussion: that school personnel should help build confidence and resiliency among those who have been bullied. It’s an interesting idea, though I would suggest we also teach students that words can be very powerful and inflict enormous pain. If school personnel looks at this issue from both sides, then maybe bullying will be less of a problem than it is today.

Thanks for your comments!

The answer to hate speech is MORE speech that is uplifting and good. You don’t take away speech. You increase it and trust that good will overpower evil.

The answer to help victims of bullying is not to punish anyone who hurts their feelings — but to build confidence and resiliency among those students who are hurt. I have seen students become bully proof because they don’t allow negative words to bring them down.

Good article.

In the meanwhile, Robert has become quite an artist. You can view 14 of his works here.

Thank you for your kind words, Siouxsie. I hope that bloggers like you and me can help change the way people think about goth.