The Rules of the Game
Every move you make
Every step you take
I'll be watching you
--Every Breath You Take, The Police
Every step you take
I'll be watching you
--Every Breath You Take, The Police
I always found that Police song to be particularly menacing. However, for some, it is the essence of true love.
A Texan 6th-grader, Shelby Sendelbach, recently scrawled "I love Alex," in blue marker on the gymnasium wall, earning her a 4-month stint at the local alternative school ("I Love Alex" Earns Girl Four Month Suspension.)
It was a Level 4 infraction, and as such she incurred the same punishment as if she had made terrorist threats, possessed drugs or committed assault. "Only murder, gun possession, sexual assault and arson are considered more severe" by her suburban Houston district. It is Texas after all, and you must draw the line somewhere.
Now, part of me says rules is rules. Matters not that the love screed was in "baby blue" ink, vs. black spray paint, as her mother pointed out; we all know that one day the baby blue writings will morph into "THAT BIG CREEP!" The fact is, the girl defaced public property.
But aside from the physical offense, I can see where some men would find the very sentiments of her graffiti akin to putting a noose around their neck--a solid level 4 infraction in its own right.
Bad enough they'll have to put their own on soon enough in the business world (aka, the necktie.) Shelby hasn't learned the rules of the game yet. They'll teach her a thing or two at the alternative school.
--Lisa
Labels: overkill in school punishment
posted by rangeragainstwar at 7:48 PM
5 Comments:
Common sense and calling things what they really ARE are utterly discarded in favor of the most hysterical fear-mongering language. A sensible solution would have been making the girl who defaced property scrub her little screed of affection off the wall and repaint it if necessary. But no, we must classify her as some sort of societal threat and malcontent. Of course, the added benefit is that later when she BECOMES some sort of malcontent in reaction to such crap, everyone concerned can say "See, we TOLD you she was a bad one!"
labrys,
Ah, yes--you see things as they are.
How sensible it would be to have her make equitable reparations--quid pro quo.
And you see how this labeling sets things in motion for a lifetime. That is the crime, and the absurdity of this life.
Isn't "alternative education" something like the "boot camps" where they terrify you into submission? Or maybe like the "special ed" classes where they dose the kids up with ritalin or prozac to zombify them?
Mmmm.... have some more soma, Bu$h child..
lurch,
Though I think both of your envisionings would be quite acceptable in today's climate, my perception of alternative ed. is a school for those who would be perpetual truants, lest a special environment not have been created to accommodate their special outsider status.
There are some very bright kids in alternative ed--the Holden Caufields--but it can also be a school for scandal. Everyone who can't or won't march in lockstep lands there.
Salvation for some, highway to the next stage of incarceration, for others.
l.
I read somewhere long ago that Sting wrote that song with his ex-wife in mind -- you're right to find it menacing! GSJ
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