Freedom or Force

Freedom or Force

Christian Aceves

Wilcoxen

March 16, 2016

M/W 4-5:50        

        America, the greatest country in the world, preaches freedom and equality. Yet, this all changes once a student enters a public school. The first and fourth amendments have had an increasing relevance on student rights in American public schools. The first amendment is often drawn into debates on the protections and limitations to a students freedom of speech and expression in library book selections, school publications, and presentations, and clothing options. The fourth amendment is often cited in cases of students privacy rights as imposed by search and seizure practices, uses of foul language, and changes in federal legislation. Discussion and difficulties continue as families, school districts, and the U.S. legal system seek to balance student rights with the needs of public schools. The life of a high school student is one in which they involuntarily relinquish the right to be themselves to the fullest; students in high school are suppressed of their rights leading to lack of expression and freedom.

        Throughout my years of high school I've encounter numerous occasions where I felt my rights being challenged. School is supposed to embrace a moral of support and encouragement, instead I felt school officials were out to get me, simply because I looked suspicious to them. I remember rushing onto school grounds one day running rather late, praying I’d make it to my math class before the screech of the morning bell went off, when I was brought to a halt by the well known bully of a security guard Jesse. Apparently, me looking nervous and sweaty gave him more than enough authority to search me and my bag, which he found nothing illegal, but rather school supplies and a smashed up sandwich. As I raised my voice to him demanding the return of my bag, thinking matters couldn't get worse, the bell rung leaving me with a nice detention. “On the other hand, most courts have found that strip searches are for the most part not reasonable, and that they should especially not be carried out on young students” (Students know your rights 4).

        Another example of rights being suppressed at school was during my morning history class. A muslim transfer student had just joined our class; he didn't talk much but when he did it was with a horrible accent. Before the class proceeds the daily announcements began, stating the daily schedule of school activities, followed by the pledge of allegiance. Now when the pledge began every student robotically rose and began reciting. However, the new kid did not, he merely sat in his desk quietly. When questioned by the teacher the boy stated it was against his religion to praise another god or association. Furious with the lack of respect for America, the teacher sentenced him to after school detention until he could acquire better manners. “Do I have to say the Pledge of Allegiance? No. You can remain quietly seated but you cannot disrupt the proceedings” (Students know your rights 2).