Philly Student Told to Lose Romney T-Shirt or Get Out

**FKD19124** · 10-09-2012, 08:27 AM

I wouldn't have accepted her half ass apology either. She wasn't sorry for doing that to the student. She may be sorry for any discipline action that may occur but that is it.

Originally Posted by supersupper

The parents refused to accept the teachers apology because they did not believe her sincerity. That says a lot about these parents. So everyone acting all high and mighty about free speech and preaching to whom? Because obviously the teacher is not taking a stance otherwise.

**FKD19124** · 10-09-2012, 08:28 AM

Stupid parents why?

Originally Posted by DCnPhilly

Stupid teacher. Stupid parents. Stupid kid. The only thing stupider are the buzzards circling around this D-list
local media circus sas if this kid was thrown in Guantanamo for uttering the word "Republican." The amount of conjecture here is ridiculous, even for this forum.

**PhilaCap** · 10-09-2012, 01:59 PM

Teacher in Romney T-Shirt Controversy Writes Letter to Students | NBC 10 Philadelphia

"I firmly believe in the right to freedom of speech and expression."... unless you disagree with me, then I make KKK jokes and suppress your first amendment rights.

**hkp** · 10-09-2012, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by FKD19124

I wouldn't have accepted her half ass apology either. She wasn't sorry for doing that to the student. She may be sorry for any discipline action that may occur but that is it.

You really desperately want that to be the case, don't you?

**Burholme06** · 10-09-2012, 02:27 PM

If the students account I pasted below is true and correct, I have to agree that the teacher’s apology is insincere. I’m not sure how you joke with a student like that. That’s bullying in my opinion.

"The teacher told me to get out of the classroom, I said 'no,' " Samantha said.

"She told me to take off my shirt and said that she has another one if I need one. And then the teacher asked me… 'are your parents Republican?' I said, 'I don't know.' She said that's like her wearing a KKK shirt."

**FKD19124** · 10-10-2012, 08:35 AM

Right because storming out of the parent meeting really demonstrates your sincerity. Oh and telling the media "it was all in jest" is a bunch of crap.
What is this teacher your hero now? If a teacher did that to my kid I'd be in her face and down at the school admin building demanding to know why that
women is allowed to teach?

Originally Posted by hkp

You really desperately want that to be the case, don't you?

**PhilaCap** · 10-11-2012, 01:08 PM

Romney calls girl at center of T-shirt controversy

"Pawlucy's family said their daughter will no longer be attending the school." That's sad.

**Giavella Water** · 10-11-2012, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by PhilaCap

Romney calls girl at center of T-shirt controversy

"Pawlucy's family said their daughter will no longer be attending the school." That's sad.

All the alphabet 'civil rights ' organizations would be tripping over each other to help her if it was an Obama shirt and/ or if the girl was a minority. That's REALLY sad.

**supersupper** · 10-11-2012, 07:26 PM

- The girl didn't take off her shirt (which is a weird thing for anyone to say and mean literally... has anyone thought that part through yet ? )

- The girl wasn't sent home, wasn't sent to the principal's office, wasn't sent to a corner, wasn't forced to cover the shirt, wasn't reprimanded, etc.

- The teacher apologized.

- There were no violations of free speech, just a bunch of opinions floating around. Which is what politics is. Civic 101.

**hkp** · 10-11-2012, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by FKD19124

Right because storming out of the parent meeting really demonstrates your sincerity. Oh and telling the media "it was all in jest" is a bunch of crap.
What is this teacher your hero now? If a teacher did that to my kid I'd be in her face and down at the school admin building demanding to know why that
women is allowed to teach?

No, I don't really care about this, either way. I find people like you with your faux indignation to be hysterical, though.

**supersupper** · 10-11-2012, 07:58 PM

From stop Bullying.gov

Bullying Definition:

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems.

In order to be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include:

An Imbalance of Power: Kids who bully use their power—such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity—to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change over time and in different situations, even if they involve the same people.
Repetition: Bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the potential to happen more than once.
Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.

**Dolemite** · 10-12-2012, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by supersupper

From stop Bullying.gov

You really don't know what bullying is? Bullies aren't just bigger kids taking your lunch money on the way to school. You can run into bullies all through your life. The description reported of the incident that happened sounds like bullying to me. A teacher in a position of power belittling a student. Now if this girl had a stronger mental fortitude then it probably would not have blown up to the proportion but it was still wrong what the teacher did and you can't fault the girl for being this fragile at 16.

**JasonMcElroy** · 10-12-2012, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by supersupper

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior

Check.

Originally Posted by supersupper

among school aged children

It can happen between parties of any age or position. The definition on the website you chose is tailored to their purpose.

Originally Posted by supersupper

that involves a real or perceived power imbalance.

Check. Teacher (authority) versus student (subject).

Originally Posted by supersupper

The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time.

Check. All behaviors and actions have the potential to be repeated. Again, this definition seems pretty weak.

Originally Posted by supersupper

Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems.

Agreed. Follows that such a person would be unsuitable for teaching young minds as well.

Originally Posted by supersupper

In order to be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include:

An Imbalance of Power: Kids who bully use their power—such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity—to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change over time and in different situations, even if they involve the same people.
Repetition: Bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the potential to happen more than once.
Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.

Check.

Seems like this teacher meets your chosen definition of bully perfectly.

Was that your point or did I misinterpret or otherwise miss your intent?

Jason

**drewrob23** · 10-12-2012, 07:23 PM

First let me say that the teen had every right to wear her Romney t-shirt. With that being said I don't think her father prepared her for the back lash that was sure to result. If the teacher was joking or not, the teen was being intimidated by someone in authority and it's too bad she didn't know at the time that the teacher had no right to put in that situation.

This story reminds me of when I was 17 and my business teacher asked me if I thought it was fair to get preferential treatment because of affirmative action. Not only was I put on the spot in front of the class, but at the time I only had two jobs in my life. What did I really know about aa?

Teachers shouldn't try and manipulate students and mold them as they see fit, but I'm sure it happens more than we.

**Cya** · 10-12-2012, 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by drewrob23

First let me say that the teen had every right to wear her Romney t-shirt. With that being said I don't think her father prepared her for the back lash that was sure to result. .

Unless you have a 16yr old teenage girl, you probably don't know that a parent has a very difficult time telling her what she can and can't wear. Especially if it's a cute pink t-shirt. Besides, do we even know that either of her parents were home when she left for school wearing the t-shirt? Maybe they were at work? I don't think it's fair for anyone to judge the parents in this situation.

16yr olds don't vote and most don't pay attention to politics. She made it through earlier classes with no problems until this geomotry class, right?
This teacher brought up the KKK in comparison to her t-shirt. She encouraged others to berate her. And she told her to take it off.
This "teacher" single handedly made going to school a scary and dangerous experience for Samantha.
So much so, that she needs to find another school to attend. And I don't blame her one bit.
How long will we have to wait until the school district finalizes its "investigation"? How long will we have to wait to see if they do the right thing and fire this teacher?

**Jayfar** · 10-13-2012, 07:11 AM

A Metro article a couple days back said that the teacher has been suspended, but I haven't seen that elsewhere in the coverage. Not sure if that's the case or not.

**Jay from Philly** · 10-13-2012, 07:36 AM

Originally Posted by Giavella Water

All the alphabet 'civil rights ' organizations would be tripping over each other to help her if it was an Obama shirt and/ or if the girl was a minority. That's REALLY sad.

This. Telling Pawlucy the T-shirt was comparable to the KKK was over the line. I voted for Obama in 2008, and I thought we were past all this nonsense at that point. Instead the left has doubled down on the race card, especially the earnest suburban-dwelling white liberals whose idea of diversity is that great new Indian restaurant.

**FKD19124** · 10-13-2012, 07:47 AM

Doesn't matter. These fools are so partisan. If it were a teacher bullying a student wearing an Obama t-shirt, they would be all over it. The teacher gave a half-ass apology and stormed out of the office.

Originally Posted by Dolemite

You really don't know what bullying is? Bullies aren't just bigger kids taking your lunch money on the way to school. You can run into bullies all through your life. The description reported of the incident that happened sounds like bullying to me. A teacher in a position of power belittling a student. Now if this girl had a stronger mental fortitude then it probably would not have blown up to the proportion but it was still wrong what the teacher did and you can't fault the girl for being this fragile at 16.

**supersupper** · 10-13-2012, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by JasonMcElroy

Check

Seems like this teacher meets your chosen definition of bully perfectly.

Was that your point or did I misinterpret or otherwise miss your intent?

Jason

Yes, of course you missed the point: A crucial part of the definition is repetition. Repetition: Bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the potential to happen more than once.

The teacher apologized, and so far the teacher has not been accused of doing anything like this before, other than friendly joking around.

The meaning of the term is diluted when used incorrectly, as it is in this case.

**supersupper** · 10-13-2012, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by Dolemite

You really don't know what bullying is? Bullies aren't just bigger kids taking your lunch money on the way to school. You can run into bullies all through your life. The description reported of the incident that happened sounds like bullying to me. A teacher in a position of power belittling a student. Now if this girl had a stronger mental fortitude then it probably would not have blown up to the proportion but it was still wrong what the teacher did and you can't fault the girl for being this fragile at 16.

Bullying Definition | StopBullying.gov

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