South Carolina principal forbids 5th grader to wear Obama shirt to school

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

SUMTER, SC (WIS) - A Midlands parent called us about a shirt with President Barack Obama on it, that she says her child was not allowed to wear to his public elementary school.

"He's our first black President of the United States," says fifth-grader Elijah Smith. "It makes me real proud."

Smith was excited to wear his Barack Obama shirt to school Tuesday, but then had second thoughts.

"That morning he stated that he may not be able to wear the shirt," says Elijah's mother Veneica Byrd.

"That's the principal's rules," says Elijah.

Elijah's mother says she immediately called Principal Liz Compton at Sumter's High Hills Elementary School.

"I did speak with Mrs. Compton, and she did state that it would not be a good idea for Elijah to wear the shirt," says Byrd. "I proceeded to ask her why, and she said that she didn't want to cause any conflict. What she really meant by that in details I'm not sure, but she was very vague with her answer."

Out of respect, Elijah did not wear the shirt.

Later that day, Venetia called Sumter's Two School District Superintendent Frank Baker.

"What Mr. Baker stated to me was that he would not have a problem with Elijah wearing the Obama sweatshirt after Mr. Obama was sworn in," says Byrd. "I felt offended."

...

Veneica says both Baker and Principal Compton referred her to the school district's dress code.

The dress code listed on the school district's website says students may not wear clothes with offensive languages or images. It also says staff members have the authority to deem any attire unsuitable or disruptive to the educational or cultural climate of the school.

http://www.wistv.com/global/story.asp?s=9718857

[Ban Hammer 14,572]

i'm willing to bet a white contruction worker t-shirt isn't authorized either.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I'm happy to see that the south has finally overcome their predjudices.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

If the school doesn't have a uniform code it shouldn't matter what the kids wear, so long as it obviously isn't totally inappropriate (Skanky or covered with extreme slogans).

Precisely the reason why schools should have (and enforce) uniform codes.

[Nagishkaw 510]

[EstebanTrabajos 7]

The diiiiiirty South will be always the dirty south

That principal is a ch#pfk

Edited January 23, 2009 by TävôLuDô

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The diiiiiirty South will be always the dirty south

That principal is a ch#pfk

Maybe the principal is telling the truth - that allowing politically charged t-shirts to school stirs controversy? If that's the case, then the principal was acting on good faith.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Maybe the principal is telling the truth - that allowing politically charged t-shirts to school stirs controversy? If that's the case, then the principal was acting on good faith.

After all, it is SC.. everyone knows the Klan runs that fvckin' place.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Maybe the principal is telling the truth - that allowing politically charged t-shirts to school stirs controversy? If that's the case, then the principal was acting on good faith.

After all, it is SC.. everyone knows the Klan runs that fvckin' place.

The last thing the Principal wants his to hear the child got beaten senseless out on the schoolyard.

[EstebanTrabajos 7]

The guy was about to become the 44th President, you really would have to be a republican extremist to "stir controversy" over this issue, doesn't matter if it was 2 3 4 or 5 days before the swearing in.

She is stupid

P.S. If that child was to get beaten, do you really think that the swearing in would be a determent for the bullies? NA

Edited January 23, 2009 by TävôLuDô

[Peikko 1,575]

I am guessing this is the case Mr Pants - although, what do we know? Personally, I am a fan of dress codes and uniforms for school and the problem would be solved entirely.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Personally, I am a fan of dress codes and uniforms for school and the problem would be solved entirely.

Yeap.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

The diiiiiirty South will be always the dirty south

That principal is a ch#pfk

Maybe the principal is telling the truth - that allowing politically charged t-shirts to school stirs controversy? If that's the case, then the principal was acting on good faith.

I'll bet you could wear a Cowboys jersey and it would be ok, even though the Panthers are the home team. I'll bet you could wear a shirt for any off the wally music group or rapper and it would be ok. I bet if it was a white president on the shirt it would be ok. I bet the girls can dress like baby hookers and it would be ok too.

[Ban Hammer 14,572]

Maybe the principal is telling the truth - that allowing politically charged t-shirts to school stirs controversy? If that's the case, then the principal was acting on good faith.

After all, it is SC.. everyone knows the Klan runs that fvckin' place.

that's two stereotypes i've seen in this thread so far.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Maybe the principal is telling the truth - that allowing politically charged t-shirts to school stirs controversy? If that's the case, then the principal was acting on good faith.

After all, it is SC.. everyone knows the Klan runs that fvckin' place.

that's two stereotypes i've seen in this thread so far.

Isn't stereotyping a type of stereotyping?