I believe my school would have allowed the art work as well. We have had some good
chats in Religion class about Fred Phelps ( I refuse to call him Rev.) and his "God
hates fags" campaign. I know many of our gay and lesbian students would be happy to
have that discussion over a piece of art.
We had over 60 students take part in the National Day of Silence - that is a record
for us. We also had 2 students "come out'" in Senior English when making their
final speeches -- so all-in-all no big thing- just a conversation starter. How
wonderful to have had a student with such creativity and compassion for her sisters
and brothers.
The main issue I would see for us is that we don't allow any sexist, racist, or
homophobic remarks in class, the halls, or anywhere on campus. Some may question
the art piece based on that guideline.
have a great summer everyone --- I am off on retreat at the Carmel Center in Mahwah
NJ in 2 weeks.
Allan
Dr. Allan O'Grady Cuseo, MGC
Director of Library Services
Bishop Kearney High School | A Golisano Education Partner
125 Kings Highway South
Rochester, New York 14617
585.342.4000 x231
585.342.4694 (fax)
www.bkhs.org
College Prep. Plus.
-----Original Message-----
From: "Shonda Brisco" [sbrisco@GMAIL.COM]
Date: 06/05/2008 10:20 AM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re: [LM_NET] OT (sort of): Freedom of Artistic Expression
Your student's art work is definitely inspiring the types of
conversations that are often not allowed in many high schools, yet
when students begin college, they are encouraged to voice their
opinions...and many do not know what they think because they've never
been allowed to think. If students do not have a voice (or are not
allowed to "practice their voice" at the high school level especially
through works of art, writing, music, etc.), it becomes even more
difficult for them to have an original voice once they begin college.
I think the school's reaction to her work and the PR that has
developed around its display is exactly what her artwork expresses ---
and curiously, it also shows at the local level life imitating art.
Adults are modeling the behavior that they want children to
have...even if that behavior isn't always right. Some piece of art
are "okay" (the Confederate flag in one piece of art) ....while others
are not?
This young lady will definitely continue to cause some controversy
with her art work, if she continues sharing her vision and views of
the world to those who want to censor, ignore, or deny that they
exist. It's obvious she has a brain, has the ability to express her
opinions, and sees much of the world that others refuse to
acknowledge.
Let's hope she continues! (...and off the record, I'm a Republican!)
~Shonda
--
Shonda Brisco, BA Ed., MLIS
Library Media / Technology Specialist
Weatherford, TX 76086
Digital Bookends wiki / blog:
http://digitalbookends.pbwiki.com
http://shonda.edublogs.org/
sbrisco@gmail.com
Resources for Texas School Librarians:
http://txschoollibrarians.ning.com/
http://txschoollibrarians.wikispaces.com/
"Digital Resources" columnist
School Library Journal
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