Pride, it just leads to conflicts
Pride, when will it not lead to conflicts. Recently there was a big varsity football game between rivals Gladstone High School and Azusa High School. Jonathan a student attending Gladstone decided to wear a Azusa High School T-shirts to school on the day of the game to represent his school since last year he had attended and played for them. One of the school’s staff decided that it was offensive to the school and gave a warning to this student. The next day he wore it again, to stand up for what he believes in, the next day the same person wrote out a Saturday school, since she believed it was offensive. The warning was issued October 22, 2009, and the Saturday school the next day October 23, 2009.
It is against the law to punish someone for what they wear, it is in the 1st Amendment of the United States under freedom of speech. They violated his first amendment, such as they did for me at Azusa High School two weeks ago. I refused to stand up for the pledge of allegiance due to spiritual beliefs and, I was punished and kicked out of the class. I returned to the school next day and talked the staff about it and i have a legit case. They have not yet complied with reversing my referral, since I did nothing wrong, but I am in the process of getting it off my record. Many people found out about this and I was well known for it. Today, a friend (Yesenia Haro) who I told my story too, informed me what had happened and asked for my help. I agreed, and decided to write this article to raise awareness so this un-constitutional punishment will not be carried out.
Jonathan, did nothing wrong. He just decided to wear his Azusa shirt on the opposite campus, and in the school policy for dress code, It states nothing about not being able to wear a different school’s shirt. There is many people who wear USC or UCLA shirts on campus. Why don’t they get punish? Is it because Azusa is the rival school? That’s just a double-standard. Not to mention that school dress codes are un-constitutional altogether. The dress code is intended to focus learning and not be distracted by any outrageous clothing. But this is not even violating the policy.
My friend who informed me about this is having a protest and getting shirts of others schools to wear them at Gladstone’s next big game, which is on Thursday. The t-shirts will be ranging from Azusa High School to Basset High School, which is located in La Puente, another big rival for the Gladiators. It is unfair for Jonathan to be punished for a crime he did not commit.