Happy Scholastic Journalism Week from the SPLC
By Frank LoMonte, Executive Director of the Student Press Law Center
Forty years ago, the Supreme Court reaffirmed in the Tinker case that students are “persons” entitled to the protection of the First Amendment, and that they do not “shed their rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” What John Tinker, Chris Eckhardt and Mary Beth Tinker did back in 1965 was a tiny act of courage – just wearing a black protest armband to school – but that act changed the course of American history. Their victory demonstrates that students who get informed about their rights and exercise them in a smart and non-disruptive manner can bring about amazing results. Teenagers have a vital stake in the war, the environment, the economy and all of the other issues impacting America’s future, and they deserve to be heard.
I hope that you take advantage of the Tinker anniversary and of Scholastic Journalism Week to help those outside the journalism world – parents, teachers, administrators, classmates – understand that students have a valuable, constructive role to play in the dialogue about the future of their community and their country. And I hope the lesson of Mary Beth Tinker gives you daily inspiration as you go about the work of journalism – you can listen to her story by clicking here.
Please remember that you are not alone in valuing student journalism and student rights, and that the Student Press Law Center (www.splc.org) is always here to advise and assist you if you feel that your rights have been violated.
Filed under: Guest Blogger
we learned about this story in history as well as journalism and i enjoy it a lot. the tinker story has a lot of significance in many controversial happenings. i think it is great that it is being remembered and celebrated, because it has had such an impact, and has helped the advancement of freedom for teenagers and students.
When I first learned about this story in History last year I was immediately interested. I think the three students had a lot of courage standing up for what they believed in. Thanks to these students we now have freedoms in schools we may not have had without this case. It is great that we honor and still remember what happened on that day in 1965, and hopefully will still remember what happened a hundred years from now.
I found this story very interesting when I first heard about it. It is pretty amazing that a group of high school journalists were able to stand up and protest for something that they believed in. Through their courage and hard work, they were able to make a major change to the legislation regarding journalism. It is nice to see that you don’t have to be a government official or a famous person to bring about change. As the author said, teens are the future of this country, and they deserve to be heard on economic and environmental issues affecting our country.
I remember learning about this story in CWS last year and my group had to re-enact the case of Tinker vs. Des Moines. The case is inspirational yet very controversial. This very case shows that schools like to limit outrageous behavior like wearing an armband to show outrage against a certain situation. It’s always a breath of fresh air when students stand up for their rights and are able to make a difference, not only in their community but throughout the nation as well. This case changed the face of journalism, by allowing certain guidelines to be restrained and allowing students to be able to express themselves. We all should be greatful to those three students who made a huge difference many years ago.
I think this is very important to american history and highschool journalists alike. The ability to write and report on what we feel is great. These students had a lot of courage and fought for their rights which is what america is all about. It is great to know that everyone can make an impact no matter who you are or what you do. It’s great we are celebrating tinkers 40th birthday, just think what would happen if this case didn’t make it to trial. we would almost be stuck in the dark ages of trying to get our opinions out.
When I first heard about this story, I thought it was so interesting. I wondered if I would be able to do anything like the three students did and most likely, I wouldn’t be able to because what they did takes courage. They didn’t give up eventually made a change so that students could have more freedom. This change affects students today and will continue to impact students in the future. We can’t forget what these students did for us and we have to continue appreciating and honoring their hard work.