Student put in In-school Suspension for wearing Obama Tshirt

Based on the conversation with Dr. Mallard of Indian Creek Middle School in Covington, GA 30014, that forbade any student from wearing political clothing, or buttons on Wednesday, November 5, 2008, the day after the election of the President of the United States, and that entire week.

This information was dispensed to the parents by a Robo-call (automated voice mail) at 8:30pm on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. No written notice was sent home.

According to the Newton County Student Conduct rules, there is absolutely no rules or that prohibit wearing political clothing.

Her explanation for this decision that she, without imput from parents or teachers was that:

Whether you like it or not, this is the South, and there are a lot of people that are not happy with this outcome and this was a Black vs. White issue.
That, it is my job, to keep 1300 students safe because neither they, nor their parents, can handle this outcome until things calm down and if he wears the Obama shirt he will be disciplined and put into In-school suspension. Next week the students could wear these items, but not the week of the election.
He had 3 choices: 1. He could turn his shirt inside out. 2. I could take him home. 3. In-school suspension.
We chose In-school suspension, so that the memories of this historic day would not be tainted with shame for our son.
We believe that this was a decision of racism, ignorance and oppression, rather than using this opportunity to teach civics, history and social studies. This was a rare teaching, living, historical moment gone awry.

In the spirit of this public school that is tax-payer funded through local, state and federal funds, an educational institution, educating our students, we ask the following:

We believe that this is an opportunity to teach tolerance and diversity, as well as document the historic nature of this occasion. With that in mind, we ask the following to be completed:


1. Mass school mailing and phone call to Indian Creek Student body and staff apologizing for an inappropriate decision for an educational institution.

2. Host a school-wide mock election and discussion regarding the political process and the sportsmanship of winning and losing. For example , using John McCains concession speech as an example of great sportsmanship. And also use President-elect Obamas acceptance speech, which emphasized the grass-roots and the we of the election, as well as great sportsmanship. He did not gloat.

3. Educational discussion on the diversity of the types of people that voted for Obama. For example, Newton County voted for Obama.

4. Hold a Diversity and Tolerance training such as Challenge Day for more insight go to http://www.challengeday.org

5. Have the Administration use this type of educational & historical opportunity to teach and not temper.

We believe that our first focus should be on our children and their limitless educational opportunities in this new millennium. This should be done at home and reinforced in primary school.

Tempering educational discussions does nothing more than hold back opportunities to learn and grow from each other. Our students deserve intellectual challenges and more credit to behave in a civilized manner than what was given them.