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Bullying on T-shirts must be stopped

Neuqua Valley High School’s administration should hold a “Day of Silence” in support of all victims of bullying. Bullied children have been taking their own lives for years, and attention should have been given to them, but it was not. The bullies should have been stopped, but adults failed to stop them. The issue today should not be solely gay rights but should be to protect the rights of all students and their unique place in this world no matter what their race, religion, sexual preference or physical appearance.

If attention were to be focused on all bullied children, would the bullies be allowed to wear T-shirts that say, “Be Happy, Be a Bully?” I doubt anyone would tolerate that because walking around with those words on chests and backs would be considered intense harassment and cruelty. Therefore, these words, “Be Happy, Not Gay,” equal the following: “Be Happy, Not Jewish,” Be Happy, Not Black,” Be Happy, Not Ugly,” “Be Happy, Not Old,” and “Be Happy, Not Nerdy.” All of these sayings including, “Be Happy, Not Gay,” attack and humiliate individuals and groups, and are born of prejudice that is born of hate.

Neuqua Valley High School’s administrators did the right thing in refusing to allow students to wear the hateful T-shirts. However, the Alliance Defense Fund, which litigates on behalf of Christian causes, points out the school violated its students’ rights to “free speech,” by removing the words “Not Gay” from their T-shirts. The Alliance does not speak for all Christians or for any caring human beings.

All children have the right to attend school in a welcoming, safe environment where they can be themselves, explore life, and flourish. Bullying robs children of these rights. Adults must focus their efforts on protecting all children from harassment.

Mary E. Keenan

Schaumburg