The errors of definitions multiply themselves according as the reckoning proceeds; and lead men into absurdities, which at last they see but cannot avoid, without reckoning anew from the beginning.

I'm a student at Freeman, the cheer wasn't offensive at all to anyone but Dr. Pruden. Bobby Foley, the player being cheered against, and even the referees of the game said it was a good chant. Pretty much the hole school is angry at Pruden, some people are actually talking about cheering "brokeback Pruden" then just lining up single file and walking out of the gym, because he'd kick us out right afterwards any way.

I PRAISE MR. PRUDEN FOR HIS ACTIONS--KIDS NEED TO LEARN SPORTSMANSHIP IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE GAME--THE GAME WILL LAST 48 MINUTES BUT SPORTSMANSHIP LASTS A LIFETIME

Wayne, I don't disagree that students need to learn about sportsmanship, but I disagree that they likely got that lesson from Mr. Pruden's ban. He and the superintendent may have taught them that they can get in trouble for the phrase "brokeback", but I don't see that this taught them why that term is a problem, or why Freeman high school students are held to a different standard than are Gonzaga University students (no, seriously, they don't understand that).

That and of course the terrible "lesson" that the many will be punished for the sins of the few. This was actually a typical big-government response to the issue.

TO WULF---MY SON GOES TO FREEMAN AND THE LESSON HE WAS TEACHING AND HAS TOLLD THEM IN THE PAST IS THAT IT IS OK TO CHEER YOUR OWN TEAM ON BUT DON'T HARASS THE OTHER TEAM (IN THIS CASE BOBBY FOLEY)AND ESPECIALLY INDIVIDUAL PLAYERS. HE WARNED THE STUDENTS THE WEEK BEFORE AND THE STUDENTS SIMPLY DID NOT BELIEVE HIM---THE STUDENTS DID WHAT MR. PRUDEN TOLD THEM NOT TO DO AND HE CARRIED OUT HIS WARNING---GOOD FOR HIM---------AS FAR AS GONZAGA GOES I CANNOT COMMENT, THOSE ARE COLLEGE STUDENTS AND SHOULD BE DEALT WITH BY THE COLLEGE

I am a student at Godwin High and i don't feel that the chant was offensive at all. I mean Bobby knows he is not gay and has a girlfriend. The chant was seen as offensive to those who are offended by religious sites in public places. All cheers in Godwin vs. Freeman games are directed at the other students more than the team themselves. Its a freedom of speech arguement, if we can't jokingly have fun at the games in a fairly undercover way (rather than bobby is gay) cheers are going to be limited to go eagles go, and godwin eagles. Untill profanity is used let it go, its just kids trying to have fun. p.s. andy knows whats up

I think the comments here demonstrate the point I was trying to make. The students at these schools understand the nature of the offensive chant better than adults think they do. The parents, principal, teachers from whom I have heard (both here and elsewhere) want to demonstrate that there is discipline, and that the principal is to be obeyed. As a teacher, I am honestly sympathetic to this. I have conversations along these lines with students in my own classrooms.

And still I am left wondering what anybody thinks the students learned from all of this, other than the fact that all students will be punished for the behavior of a few? They seem to embody the libertarian position, which means they will continue to lose, because their basic argument boils down to "leave us alone, we are harmless".

Allow me to quote Ally Sheedy's line in "The Breakfast Club": "When you get older, your soul dies."

Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)

URL:

Remember This Information? YesNo

Comments: