Friday, January 23, 2009

South Carolina School Denies Child's Right To Wear An Obama Shirt

In another troubling episode for Barack Obama fans (as in 77% of the country) a school district in South Carolina told a child and his mother not to wear a t-shirt with Barack Obama on it. Here we are in 2009, and we still have self-important educators school administrators pretending to be fair and balanced with a dress code when this is clearly not as simple as an offensive article of clothing.

From WIS10:

SUMTER, SC (WIS) - A Midlands parent called us about a shirt with President Barack Obama on it, that she says her child was not allowed to wear to his public elementary school.

"He's our first black President of the United States," says fifth-grader Elijah Smith. "It makes me real proud."
It makes a lot of people proud, but apparently, not Principal Liz Compton and Superintendent Frank Baker:

"I did speak with Mrs. Compton, and she did state that it would not be a good idea for Elijah to wear the shirt," says Byrd. "I proceeded to ask her why, and she said that she didn't want to cause any conflict. What she really meant by that in details I'm not sure, but she was very vague with her answer."

Out of respect, Elijah did not wear the shirt.

Later that day, Venetia called Sumter's Two School District Superintendent Frank Baker.

"What Mr. Baker stated to me was that he would not have a problem with Elijah wearing the Obama sweatshirt after Mr. Obama was sworn in," says Byrd. "I felt offended."
Offended isn't the only word I'm thinking about here. Comparing the name and image of our President, whether President-Elect or President, to a gang or other dangerous symbol or what not is ludicrous. People like Baker may think they're so smart by using the 'gang colors' defense of their subtle racism, but it fools no one.

And why is that so many of these anti-Obama stories come out of the south? Oh yeah, nevermind.