For over a week people in Northern Indiana have been screaming Freedom of Speech for a Carroll School seniro who was expelled from school for writing a book on the school computers featuring the staff and students. The student claimed it was simply a satircal piece. The teen founded the Allen County Teenage Republicans. Dispite the fact that people where yelling freedom of speech I knew that more then likely the book made harrassing statements because a school wouldn't just expell unless their was a real threat being sued. Harassment is against the law. Students and staff have the right to attend an harassment free zone. I had hoped they could work out a situation that would allow the kid to at least graduate and they did.

Here is one of the original reports...........
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/13644286.htm
Jeff Fraser, a 17-year-old senior and founder of the Allen County Teenage Republicans, wrote a book titled “Carroll” that was modeled after Jon Stewart’s book “America.” The book blasted the administration for its lack of diversity, criticized teachers and their methods and singled out a few students in what was meant to be a satire, said Fraser’s friend, Sam Wysong, 17.
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When is harassment against the law?

When a person, or a group of people, is targeted because of their

* age,
* responsibilities as a carer,
* disability (actual or presumed, or disability of a relative or associate),
* homosexuality (actual or presumed),
* marital status,
* political affiliation, views or beliefs,
* pregnancy or potential pregnancy,
* race or ethno-religious background,
* religious affiliation, views or beliefs,
* sex (male or female),
* transgender status (actual or presumed).

What types of behaviour might be unlawful harassment?
This depends on the circumstances, but here are some common examples.

* Displaying material that is ageist, racist, sexist, sexually explicit, pornographic, homophobic (anti-gay), anti-disability, anti-transgender, and so on in the work or study environment, including in colleges of residence.
Also circulating such material, putting it in someone's workspace or belongings, on a computer or fax machine, or on the internet.
The types of material could include posters, cards, graffiti, email, letters, videos, cartoons, and screensavers.
* Making demeaning, belittling or abusive comments, or otherwise 'putting someone down' because of their sex, gender, sexuality and so forth.
* Jokes (including practical jokes) or taunts based on disability, gender, homosexuality, race, and so on. Remember, even if you think it's harmless, others might be offended.
* Ignoring, isolating or segregating a person or group because of their sex, disability, homosexuality, race, and so forth.
* Sexually or racially offensive gestures.
* Initiation ceremonies that involve unwelcome sexual, sexist, racist, and so on, behaviour.
* Sexual harassment can happen to either women or men, but most often happens to women. It includes a wide range of behaviour of a sexual nature, from suggestive comments through to explicit demands for sexual activity. Examples are
o staring or leering in a sexual manner,
o unwelcome wolf whistling,
o intrusive questions about sexual activity,
o unwanted sexual or physical contact, such as patting, kissing, hugging or other touching of a sexual nature,
o repeated sexual invitations or propositions when similar invitations or propositions have been previously refused,
o an unwelcome sexual advance or request for sexual favours, which may be accompanied by offers of benefits or by threats, and
o sexual assault (a crime under the Crimes Act).


Where is harassment against the law?

It is unlawful to harass someone in the classroom or any part of the study environment, including on field trips, at social functions linked to study, at their workplace, when providing or obtaining goods or services on campus, or when renting accommodation.
Does the harassment have to be deliberate?

No. Sometimes the 'harasser' doesn't think other people will be offended by the behaviour. However sometimes it is deliberate, to upset the target person or group, to make them feel excluded, or to embarrass or humiliate them.
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During this time I made a post on my Hoosier Democrats blog http://hoosierdemocrats.blogspot.com/ because I thought it would be interesting to watch and see how it developed. At that time a gentleman, Mike Sylvester running for Allen County School Board on the Libertarian ticket came on to my blog and made a snipy comment about freedom of speech......etc. When I tried to respond to him on his blog I found out he only allowed posts he approved on his blog and gues what my post wasn't approved. I had to wonder what kind of person would fight for freedom of speech but not allow it on his own blog. So I documented and posted. This time he responded and was a bit nicer. But still my post was never published on his blog. And a cop friend of his came on my blog and also posted in defense of this kid. At that point I hadn't read the book the kid wrote but still felt strongly that the school, not allowed to discuss the issue, had more than likely acted properly within the law.

Today a deal was struck and the kid will not able allowed to return to school but his expulsion was rescended. He will be allowed to finish while being home schooled. All legal litigation was dropped on both sides. He also won't be able to participate in any school activities.

So tonight I found a link to his book. And guess what..........it was the nastiest piece of bigoted crap I've read in a long time. Not funny one bit. Still this Mike Sylvester is defending the kid who clearly expressed bigoted opinions about blacks, made sexual commentary about his principal, made bigoted comments about his classmates and made politically bigoted comments about liberals. Not appropriate for school not one bit.

One of my fellow Hoosier bloggers has published the book.....
http://www.fortwayneobserved.com/

In the end I feel the kid got a fair discipline. Still Sylvester continues to support this kid and has asked people to go to WOWO and vote No in a poll that the kid is still being treated unfairly. The kid got a good deal in my opinion and hopefully learned his lesson.

http://wowo.com/default.asp

Here is the poll if you feel he was treated fairly or unfairly place your vote.

thanks marie