Arguments Against Censorship In Schools
Toni Mackall
Mrs. Love
Pre- AP English 10
4 April 2014
Student Rights: Violation versus Preservation Censorship is “Suppression of information, ideas, or artistic expression by anyone” (Haiman). For example, Socrates was a philosopher in Ancient Athens; who was executed for teaching the young people of his time ideas that the government did not condone (Haiman). Although censorship began in Ancient Athens, it still exist today, partially in schools. Students have First Amendment Rights in public schools, but those rights are limited. There are many reasons for and against censorship. Advocates for censorship censor text especially school text or books, often because school officials are trying to keep students from developing “Subverse values” (Haiman). In other words they are afraid the ideas in the book will make students question authority (Haiman). Books are censored due to its inappropriate content, they are determined to be too graphic or anti-American. Books are also censored for containing foul language or for presenting unacceptable ideas (Haiman). Censorship is designed to protect the people; it happens when people are afraid that the …show more content…
Justice Abe Fortas, in the majority decision, wrote that “First Amendment rights, applied in the light of the special characteristics of the school environment, are available to teachers and students. It can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of expression at the school house gate… statues to this effect… unconstitutionally interfere with the liberty of teacher, student, and parent”. The majority of the Justices agreed with the students that the schools actions were unconstitutional, while the Dissenting Justices felt that. The Tinker v. Des Moines case allows students to express their opinions as long as it is not in a disruptive way or prohibits other student’s
Mrs. Love
Pre- AP English 10
4 April 2014
Student Rights: Violation versus Preservation Censorship is “Suppression of information, ideas, or artistic expression by anyone” (Haiman). For example, Socrates was a philosopher in Ancient Athens; who was executed for teaching the young people of his time ideas that the government did not condone (Haiman). Although censorship began in Ancient Athens, it still exist today, partially in schools. Students have First Amendment Rights in public schools, but those rights are limited. There are many reasons for and against censorship. Advocates for censorship censor text especially school text or books, often because school officials are trying to keep students from developing “Subverse values” (Haiman). In other words they are afraid the ideas in the book will make students question authority (Haiman). Books are censored due to its inappropriate content, they are determined to be too graphic or anti-American. Books are also censored for containing foul language or for presenting unacceptable ideas (Haiman). Censorship is designed to protect the people; it happens when people are afraid that the …show more content…
Justice Abe Fortas, in the majority decision, wrote that “First Amendment rights, applied in the light of the special characteristics of the school environment, are available to teachers and students. It can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of expression at the school house gate… statues to this effect… unconstitutionally interfere with the liberty of teacher, student, and parent”. The majority of the Justices agreed with the students that the schools actions were unconstitutional, while the Dissenting Justices felt that. The Tinker v. Des Moines case allows students to express their opinions as long as it is not in a disruptive way or prohibits other student’s