Mich. teacher ejects student for anti-gay remarks

[kpete]

Source: Salon

MONDAY Nov 15, 2010 22:30 ET
Mich. teacher ejects student for anti-gay remarks
By JEFF KAROUB, Associated Press

Jay McDowell, a teacher at Howell High School is shown in Brighton, Mich., Monday, Nov. 15, 2010. McDowell was suspended for a day without pay after removing two students who said they didn't accept gays on Oct 20. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Michigan high school teacher Jay McDowell says he didn't like where the discussion was going after a student told his classmates he didn't "accept gays."

So McDowell kicked the boy out of class for a day.

In return, the teacher was suspended for a day without pay for violating the student's free speech rights.


Read more: http://www.salon.com/wires/us/2010/11/15/D9JGVKSO0_us_anti_gay_class_speech_backlash/index.html

[bluedigger]

1. So, how exactly would that work at a charter school?

Honestly, I'm curious.:shrug:

[tomm2thumbs]

2. I find it hard to believe the terms 'accept gays' was the only term used by the students

that sounds contrived to me on many levels

[blondeatlast]

13. My thoughts exactly. nt

[ProgressiveProfessor]

18. There is a lot of data missing in what is being reported

[alp227]

3. Well, free speech is free speech.

McDowell should've called out not kicked out the student. You combat idiotic speech not through silence but rather discussion. Sheesh, what a missed teaching/mind-opening opportunity.

[ronnie624]

4. *

:thumbsup:

[FreeState]

5. No that's not free speech - that's disruptive speech

One does not have the right to disturb classes in public schools.

[alp227]

6. So it's a disturbance simply to say "I don't accept gays" during awareness week?

McDowell could've used that statement to reinforce the school's mission to make the week an educational opportunity for awareness of homophobia. C'mon, this is not like DU where the student would just be slapped with "Here lies a disruptor. He disrupted...poorly."

[awoke_in_2003]

7. so if the student said...

"I don't accept niggers" we should have a discussion about it?

[jtuck004]

9. While I agree with you in principle, the idea that this was a learning

opportunity for any high school student who has developed bigoted attitudes is most likely delusional. The kid is steeped in this for a dozen years at home, and a few minutes in the class is not likely going to change his mind, or do anything to make him anything but defensive. Plus, given the time constraints most teachers work under, I would expect there is no time for a discussion.

And although it is another subject, while there are forums for bigoted and racist speech, it is the height of hypocrisy to say school is a place for free speech. School is a place where the adults use the force of law to cram down kids throats the viewpoints they want them to have with damn little questioning of where any of that knowledge originated or who it serves. Nothing free about any of that.

Like the comment above, I suspect there was more to it than this.

On the other hand, I would have like to see all the teachers call in sick the next day in support of the teacher. 'Course, some of them probably don't "accept gays" either.

[The Northerner]

10. +1

[ProgressiveProfessor]

19. A lot depends on context

Was the teacher asking students what they thought about gay pride week or did they jump up in the middle of class and shout it out? Not near enough data.

[awoke_in_2003]

8. Hurrah to the teacher...

I had some great teachers growing up- people who taught me how to think and question. I know more than one who would have held principles above all, and done the same thing.

[xchrom]

11. Recommend - I'll stand with the teacher, thank you. Nt

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

12. I'd like to give that teacher the money he was blocked from earning that day.

How much it must be, at a maximum?

[blondeatlast]

16. I'll kick in for the gas and lunch money, too. nt

[justiceischeap]

14. IMO, by suspending the teacher, the admin is agreeing with the student

They just told gay students that if someone stands up for you, there will be consequences. Nice country we live in as gay individuals.

[fascisthunter]

15. hate speech is "free speech".... surrrre

Your rights are fine up until it starts to harm others. Bigotry should never be tolerated, it poisons the environment(classroom).

[ProgressiveProfessor]

17. I have to wonder about the context. Why would this of even been brought up?

There is a whole lot there that is not being covered. Without that data, I find it hard to come down on either side.

[justiceischeap]

20. Just wanted to add a link to a video from a 14yr old supporting said teacher

Openly Gay Student Defends Teacher at School Board Meeting
Jay McDowell, a high school teacher in Howell, Michigan, was suspended last month for disciplining an anti-gay student. At a recent school board meeting, openly gay 14-year-old Graeme Taylor came to McDowell's defense with an incredibly articulate/inspiring speech.

http://tv.gawker.com/5689407/openly-gay-student-defends-teacher-at-school-board-meeting