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Arianna Carpenito was just exercising her rights

May 30, 2017

In regard to the Gazette's May 22 article and editorial, Cape Henlopen High School's and the Cape Henlopen School District's reaction to a protest T-shirt worn by Arianna Carpenito. It is hard to imagine this could have been mishandled more than it apparently was - on every level. What ignorance, and what arrogance it takes for Principal Donahue to believe he can suppress any thought that is not in line with the school's public narrative.

While I am not privy to whatever inane reasoning was at work, in looking at the Cape Henlopen School District's Student Code of Conduct (full passage below), I can only assume that Principal Donahue is attempting to completely distort the meaning of the word "disruptive" as used in the "Free Speech and Expression" section of the Code of Conduct to mean speech that makes him uncomfortable.

"One of the basic purposes of school is to prepare students for responsible self-expression as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. Self-expression must not be obscene, libelous or disruptive to the educational process."

Principal Donahue, eight words - "Tinker versus Des Moines Independent Community School District." Look them up. Even if your personal comfort level was covered by the Code of Conduct, that doesn't quash what is perhaps the most fundamental right of our democracy. I suspect they teach these rights in Cape's civics class, perhaps you sit in on it. Ms. Carpenito's T-shirt is a perfect example of "responsible self-expression." It was at once a child's cry for help, and whether it was a T-shirt, a protest sign, a bullhorn or an editorial to a newspaper, it was legitimate attempt to engage in a dialogue that the school and school district publicly states want to happen. Your actions belie your assertions.

For Ms. Carpenito's efforts she was suspended, and subsequently took her concerns to the school board. At the school board meeting, 10 adults in positions of authority, faced down by a brave young woman looking for answers, and attempting to engage in a dialogue, when asked if they would like her to explain why she was compelled to put those non-offensive, non-obscene, and non-disruptive words on her shirt, she was quickly told, "No," and "Nope."

She was noticeably surprised, but undeterred, she continued on at the same time the school board President Andy Lewis quickly added that the board does not comment during the public participation.

The school board has apparently decided to hang their hat on Mr. Lewis' follow-up comment, but if you listen to the audio, two things are clear. Ms. Carpenito was not asking for comment, but rather, courteously asking the adults in the room if they would like to hear her side the story, and "no" and "nope" were precisely in response to her question. But, further to Ms. Carpenito's credit, as the recent saying goes, "nevertheless, she persisted" as she briefly described the bullying she has witnessed, experienced and reported at her school that has gone completely unaddressed by the Cape administration.

Like every story, I am sure there are at least two sides to this story, but regardless of whatever was done up to or after the point she was suspended for wearing that shirt, exercising her right to freely express herself - everything else is immaterial to the fact that her civil rights were violated and Principal Donahue, Cape Henlopen High School, and the Cape Henlopen School District should be held accountable.

Derek DW Cole
Lewes

 

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