Ella Fishbough, 14, is now an eighth grader with a record. Ella was given suspension by Jackson Heights principal Sarah Mansur-Blythe (left) for a hug. That’s right. She hugged a friend who was having a bad day and was immediately reported for discipline under a hopelessly undefined prohibition on “inappropriate or obscene acts.” As with the other story today of the student suspended for playing Power Rangers, this is a case of blind application of rules without any sense of judgment or fairness. It is part of the zero tolerance culture that has taken hold in our schools.
The district’s code of conduct prohibits “inappropriate or obscene acts” including “unwelcome or inappropriate touching, or any other physical act that is considered to be offensive, socially unacceptable or not suitable for an educational setting.” That of course tells students virtually nothing and allows teachers to adopt any and all possible interpretations of inappropriate touchings. Such an ill-defined rule could just as well say “you can be punished at the discretion of school officials for any act that they deem inappropriate.”
Hugging was banned with other specific acts like kissing, linking arms, and holding hands. I can understand the ban on kissing, though hugging is a common act of friendship. The school is giving this act a presumed sexual meaning and creating a hyper-sensitive environment for these students.
They are all treated as banned “PDA” or Public Displays of Affection. Ella turns out to be a recidivist. She was previously given a PDA after the same boy put a hand on her head. She was listed in the notice as a repeat offender with a “second PDA.”
Jackson Heights principal Sarah Mansur-Blythe has insisted that the PDA rule will continue to be strictly enforced — even in the case of family members. When asked if two family members hugged, Mansur-Blythe reportedly insisted that they would still get a PDA. The obvious illogic of the rule seems not to concern Mansur-Blythe. It simply does not matter. Forgive the pun, but ignorance is Blythe.
Schools are following suit across the country in disciplining students who hug like Megan Coulter, an Illinois eighth-grader, in 2007 who was also a repeat hugger with two brief hugs spotted on school grounds.
Once again, my greatest concern is the teaching that students must accept arbitrary and capricious authority. Here the administrator reportedly pledged to enforce the rule without any logic or discretion against members of the same family. It is not the danger of raising cold and detached students that concern me. It is the danger of raising thoughtless and detached citizens that concern me.
All female students must wear the narrow scarlet sash.
I am surprised they didn’t sow the letter A into her dress.
Years ago there was a comedian, Pat Paulson on a TV show, Laugh-In. On one of his skits he blandly stated that, “The leading cause of forest fires is trees.” There is no difference here, absolutely no difference in the thinking, approach, and lack of understanding. These officials have bested Pat Paulson. They are actually in real life, performing acts that affect real people. America, especially with the Republicans running for office and the constant attacks on Obama and Clinton, become one big Laugh-In; if wasn’t so sad, or shameful.
How does such a stupid woman get put in charge of a whole school?
Same policy my school had (except it used corporal punishment so she would’ve been beaten to teach her not to touch other people). Public school in the south is just 12 years of mental and physical abuse–it’s no wonder it’s so messed up.
And we wonder why college kids are so sheltered, demanding safe spaces, and have no perspective.
I would like to see the entire student body coordinate a massive PDA. Agree that for a week everyone will hug someone before and after each class period. Demonstrate education still takes place and the school is not out of control.
Reblogged this on Dave Alexander & Company — Ukuleledave and David Edgren and commented:
If Hug = Crime, can you trust schools to teach 1 + 1 = 2? Jonathan Turley explains.
This is the current college anti-rape hysteria writ small.
Can’t hug your own first grade child on the first day of school?
Congratulations, this is what you get when you let feminist cat ladies run the world.
First of all the other students need to “rally round the flag”. Maybe a good large group of women should show up in the morning wearing burkas. The boys could wear tee shirts which have a small emblem on the front which says: “Live Free or Die”. The teacher, the principal (no one’s “pal”), the school board can be named as defendants in a 42 United States Code, Section 1983 and 1985 civil rights lawsuit, class action filed in the federal district court.
Second. Demonstrations. Off campus but in a public square such as in front of a city hall or courthouse there needs to be a large gathering of parents and students who will protest. They can invite their priests and pastors to attend.
Third. People need to read up on civil rights. Tinker v. Bd of Education of Des Moine, IA is a good case.
Insanity….zero tolerance policies relieve educators and others from their obligation to think and make judgments.
Let’s hope, Americans chose wisely in the next election and hopefully sanity might prevail again, in this country.
Oh, for a moment I thought we were talking about the Saudi Religious Police.
The students need to have a massive group hug session and all get suspended. Students here have no first amendment rights of any kind.
This is what happens when you have no rights as a citizen. Minors continue to be marginalized by totalitarianism such as we see here.
I agree with Paul Shulte. But to solve the problem you first have to understand the cause. I have posted my views on this in the link on the imaginary bow and arrow.
What isn’t clear in this case is whether imaginary hugs fall into the same category.
This is why all touching is ‘inappropriate touching’ now. Idiots.
Reblogged this on Scoop Feed.
“Her actions are not occurring in a vacuum, and there’s a good chance that blind adherence to these policies is being demanded of her as a condition of employment. ”
Apparently you are right. It seems her behavior is part of some kind of group hysteria:
“The district’s code of conduct prohibits “inappropriate or obscene acts”” The insanity is apparent from the claim that a positive, supportive hug is ‘inappropriate or obscene’.
The place to begin the end of this abuse of children is with the Board of Education. This mistreatment of children will stop when parents and citizens make clear they will not tolerate it.
Zero tolerance is utter madness. What personal problems must this principal have to consider a hug obscene and worthy of suspension?
Bam Bam: Interesting point. It is worth investigating the district’s position on hugging and holding hands, as well as other harmless gestures. I understand the ban on making out, but leaning against someone, shaking hands, or holding hands is not going to 2nd base.
It seems like the majority of the blame is being cast upon this principal, but let’s not forget that these seemingly strange and odd disciplinary acts–which are easily classified as gross overreactions–are given a wink and a nod from her superiors. She does, after all, answer to those in positions of authority who are located upstream in the chain of command. Her actions are not occurring in a vacuum, and there’s a good chance that blind adherence to these policies is being demanded of her as a condition of employment. Not an excuse, but, just maybe, an explanation.
Chinggis say all students should have group hug on property next to school. Then all students get picture of Cupid and give to principal. Get suspended for picture of bow and arrow. This more dangerous than to give Glock to all students. Hickory dickory docks, the students all brought Glocks. So they could have a barrel of fun. Only high caliber students graduate.
How many does it take for a class action suit? Just “take out” one district.