To the editor:
The School Committee recently decided on the advice of counsel to limit student participation in determining the banners displayed in the town’s public schools. Putting aside whether I agree with the decision or not, there are many ways students can display their opinions related to social justice or political issues and do it in a way that both funds their causes or shows wide support.
Student speech is protected by state and federal courts as long as it is not likely to cause disruption or demean other students. One of the most common means of expression is through wearing T-shirts or armbands that say, for example, “Black Lives Matter,” “End the War on Democracy,” or tees with LGBTQ+ rainbow lettering and design. There are multiple places and locally or online that print new designs or have existing ones.
In the 1992 presidential election in collaboration with a local T-shirt company, we conceived, printed and sold more than 20,000 shirts with a “Bill and Al’s Excellent Adventure” caricature on the front and “George and Dan’s Bogus Journey” on the back. The shirt was featured on all the major networks and in many newspapers. We gave our royalties to the campaign and am happy to have a photo signed by President Clinton with the T-shirt.
In the ’60s at the high school, for example, we wore pins opposing the war and supporting nuclear disarmament and participated in protests and the Civil Rights movement evenings and on weekends.
There are so many creative ways for individuals and groups of students to take stands for social justice without needing the permission of authorities.
Take a stand for what you believe.
Dr. Robert Shuman, MHS ’65
Tufts Street
