Warren Watson
First Thoughts
2-22-08

The First Amendment at the Alamo

From San Antonio, site of the the annual convention of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) ....

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Our J-Ideas First Amendment Institute is exhibiting this weekend at the largest meeting of the nation's high school principals. We've found that our First Amendment message is easily drowned out by barkers peddling No Child Left Behind aids, groups promoting math and science educational tools, jewelry makers -- and even folks selling inner soles for sore feet.

I guess variety is the spice of life at any convention of educators.

We have passed out some fliers and educational materials promoting civics and First Amendment education, pointing out that our students -- and administrators -- have a poor working knowledge of the Bill of Rights. We'll continue to point out that student media is under fire at many schools, with principals playing a heavy hand of censorship. We'll keep at it, and will buttonhole any principal willing to listen.

Ironic that in Friday's local newspaper, the San Antonio Express News, a story appeared discussing the uphill fight that Texas student journalists are waging with administrators over content in student publications. There were horror stories from teen journalists in Texas who said that their school officials seem to want a sanitized publication, one with only good news and devoid of controversy.

"My newspaper staff," said Lynette Vega, editor of the student newspaper at Marshall High School, " is not allowed to address issues such as religion, abortion, sex, homosexuality or race. "We deserve to have our opinions heard. What the administration has done is only quash student freedom."

Let's hope some of the principals at the convention read the newspaper!