In Memphis, Tenn., people are shaking their heads over the decision of Daphne Beasley, the principal of Hollis F. Price Middle College High School in South Memphis, who published the names of gay students who were “couples” on a list with heterosexual couples. The result was to “out” the students — a potentially dangerous course.
Beasley was apparently obsesses with public displays of affection and demanded that her staff put together a list of “couples,” which she then put in an area where both teachers and students could read it. One couple was composed of two boys, Andrew and Nicholas, who had just started dating.
Nicholas has complained about being singled out by students due to the listing. The result is that Beasley appears to be more concerned with public displays of affection than public displays of alienation . . . or more likely public beatings. How exactly do we find these people to teach our children? Given the recent beatings of gay and lesbian student, click here, Beasley’s action was both reckless and ridiculous. It is like the list that gossipy teens put together in sleep-overs. Yet, when posted, it becomes a virtual hit list for homophobic bullies.
Both constitutional and tort actions are possible here on the basis of privacy and negligence (as well as the negligent infliction of emotional distress). Hopefully, the boys will file and create a deterrent for other hopelessly clueless educators.
For the full story, click here.
Michael,
I agree with you 100%. I was not suggesting that there should be any legislative action to justify her actions. As a society, we complain that children are not held accountable for their actions; however, if we expect them to be held accountable, then the people in Memphis should hold this woman accountable for hers. They probably won’t, and I say that because I grew up in Tennessee not far from Memphis. I got antsy a few months ago when some of my old friends there found my Myspace page. I wasn’t worried about the conspiracy theories that one might find on my myspace page, but I was concerned that my parents would find out that I’m Wiccan. I know the kind of backlash that could come upon them because of my actions, so I’ve kept them in the dark on this for years. My mother shouldn’t have to go through that because of my religious choices. It’s a very different world, and unfortunately, things just haven’t changed all that much.
Susan:
Sorry. the “S’s” got me confused.
“The impact of all of these events would be lessened if there were relatively fewer public schools in the United States. The choice created by private schools that compete on curriculums and codes of conduct will not only attract like-minded students, but will also be able to afford the forward-thinking management teams and faculty to run them.”
Puzzling,
While i think that there is much that you and I would agree on, this is not one of those areas. Fewer public schools in the US would inevitably lead to a decrease in educational opportunities for the middle class, working class and the poor. Voucher systems would not moderate this inequality. I’m aware that many believe that the ills of the world would be cured by honest free market competition. I do not share this belief. The Free Market is a construct of economists whose beliefs are based on wishful thinking, rather than scientific discovery. Any market that lacks government restriction will tend towards monopoly and/or corporate agreement on fixing prices. The object of the private educational entity will learn toward maximizing profit, rather than providing outstanding education. The failure of this approach has already been borne out in venues like Baltimore.
To me the solution is for this country to recognize that public education promotes the common good and should be funded by better methods that property assessments.
Evan,
I accept that you are from Memphis and know far more about the City than I do. I am aware that institutions like schoolboards act to protect their own and to minimize legal liability. I have no doubt that the level of prejudice with respect to sexual orientation is quite common and no doubt pernicious. It is true that many so-called educators have their action dictated by their own personal prejudices.
However, as this story has developed with the level of charges and counter charges; “facts” and contrary “facts” I’m not sure that from my limited view that I can confidently ascribe guilt in this instance.
I say this as someone who has spent his life trying to combat prejudice and bigotry. I’ve just been around too long to merely accept assertions, even from people with whom I make common cause, since people sadly sometimes do justify the means in search of favorable ends.
Evan,
I accept that you are from Memphis and know far more about the City than I do. I am aware that institutions like schoolboards act to protect their own and to minimize legal liability. I have no doubt that the level of prejudice with respect to sexual orientation is quite common and no doubt pernicious. It is true that many so-called educators have their action dictated by their own personal prejudices.
However, as this story has developed with the level of charges and counter charges; “facts” and contrary “facts” I’m not sure that from my limited view that I can confidently ascribe guilt in this instance.
I say this as someone who has spent his life trying to combat prejudice and bigotry. I’ve just been around too long to merely accept assertions, even from people with who I make common cause, since people sadly sometimes do justify the means in search of a favorable end.
I agree with the initial characterization by Michael Spindell: “Absent other facts I surmise that at the root of this person’s problems is her religious beliefs, which she allows to influence her performance in her job.”
Susan added emphasis to this line of thinking: “I am willing to bet that our sweet Ms. Dauphne is another born-again, intolerant hypocrite who just “feels” she is right to do this because her magic book tells her so. After all it is an “abomination” isn’t it? ”
First, religion is not only at the center of the judgment here on the conduct of these students, but indeed deeply integrated into the entire community (including schooling, government, and law enforcement) in ways that many who haven’t experienced it might not expect. In addition to the specific religious belief, this HS principal knows that she will face ostracism for acting to protect the students. Anyone who expects a level of outrage from this kind of action by authority in Memphis might be better to pick a coast to move to.
A documentary exists on somewhat similar circumstances in “The Education of Shelby Knox”, based on events in Lubbock, TX. After watching the film, I’ve decided to keep this hidden gem of a community on my flyover list.
The impact of all of these events would be lessened if there were relatively fewer public schools in the United States. The choice created by private schools that compete on curriculums and codes of conduct will not only attract like-minded students, but will also be able to afford the forward-thinking management teams and faculty to run them.
Susan:
I thought educators were in the education business and not the punishment business. With all due respect to the truly religious, I am willing to bet that our sweet Ms. Dauphne is another born-again, intolerant hypocrite who just “feels” she is right to do this because her magic book tells her so. After all it is an “abomination” isn’t it? I wonder how the book classifies encouraging other intolerants to beat up teenagers?
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Mespo, I believe you had me confused with Scarlett. 🙂 I completely agree with you on this, that this teacher had absolutely NO business making a student’s sexual orientation public knowledge, especially in a bible belt state! There are far too many “christian” (quotes intentional) religionists who seriously believe homosexuality is a “sin” that should be punished as harshly as possible, including death. This narrow-minded religionist teacher had better hope that no harm comes to either of these two students she so thoughtlessly “outed,” because if it ever does, she is probably going to be sued. I hope she is sued anyway, for putting their personal safety at serious risk.