This version of her speech was censored by Principal Kimberly Fetter because Spencer Nush referred to some, but not all, of the former names for the school and the parishes associated with it. Principal Fetter said, "The speech mentioned St. Francis Church repeatedly, and this school was made possible by many, so she was asked to make her speech more inclusive to give honor to the many that made this school possible." The school is located in the St. Francis building and the school was formerly known as Holy Redeemer. Although Spencer Nush mentioned these two, other area parishes that made contributions to the school were not mentioned.
Laurie Nush, Spencer's mother, referred to the actions of the school as "censorship at its best." Principal Fetter responded by saying that she had the right to approve the speech since Spencer's speech represented the school.
This school is going to close at the end of the school year due to a lack of enrollment. It is unfortunate that the school is closing with a restriction on intellectual freedom.
References
Pangonis, Dustin. "Good Shepherd 8th - Grader's Parent Blasts School's "Censorship" of Daughter's Commencement Speech." McClatchy - Tribune Business News. Washington: 11 June 2009.
I do think this is sad that the principal felt a need to dictate the content of an 8th graders speech. If Fetter felt it was necessary to recognize other contributors this could have been done by herself. Such as thanking Spencer for her speech and recognition of "x" & "y" then say she would also like to recognize...
ReplyDeleteI could not find your article but in searching it became evident that there were many unhappy families with the school and the process it took to close the school. If some of this bitterness was coming through I potentially see a principal asking that the time be spent celebrating the history and not use it as a forum to express frustrations.
I would want to know more about the speech and the invitation to speak before passing judgment on either party.
Mary,
ReplyDeleteI found the article in ProQuest Newspapers database. I searched with the term censorship.
Roger Barnes
Thanks Roger, reading the whole article does nothing to support the Principal's actions in my mind. While it does acknowledge that the student's parents were upset about how the Diocese handled the closing there was no indication that this came out in the student's speech. I'm still curious as to why the student was speaking. I am assuming she may have been valedictorian but it doesn't mention that as far as I saw.
ReplyDeleteAh, sometimes you wonder if people ever think of the long term consequences of their actions. Indeed, if the student had said her original speech, what would have been the harm? Some people/organizations/groups may have been upset, but no long lasting harm would have happened. However, this student got a real lesson on censorship on a day that was meant to be a celebration. So yes-- we protected some protected some groups/people from getting their feelings hurt, but at what cost?
ReplyDeleteGiven the fact that this is a private school, and that a cursory glance at its webpage reveals nothing regarding academic freedom, I think this is a non-issue. Sure, it sounds rather petty, but if intellectual freedom was so important to the parents, they should have chosen a different school.
ReplyDeleteMary, I agree with you that if the student over-looked some groups, then the principal could have added their names in her own speech. There is no need to make the student recite all contributors in her speech unless that is what the stated purpose of the speech was. It could have been a simple solution, but instead, it exploded into this major issue of censorship.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your perspective El Robster... So true that many times the whole point of a parochial school is to filter and mantain tighter control over how information is disseminated.
ReplyDeleteI want to say something about religion and school, but I'll refrain. That girl's freedom of speech was censored in a way that is completely unacceptable. Her mom was right to complain and I'm glad it made it into the paper. The principal was incorrect to say that she can censor whatever is said about the school since she represents it. It is arrogance at its worst, and maybe it's her demeanor that is part of the reason enrollment has dropped enough to close the school. OK, I've ranted. I feel better now. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI am still in shock that the speech was censored in any way for the reason of not reciting the school's entire history. Clearly I don't get out enough :-). Several commenters do not seem surprised particularly because of the parochial nature of the school. While I've had some (obviously low) level of awareness of censorship, I clearly am still naive. This class and the readings are shaking me out of that.
ReplyDeleteI do not want people thinking that I believe that censorship is appropriate just because it is a parochial school and I am not saying that a parochial education cannot be a good education. But, after attending a parochial high school (Mennonite)for two years and sending my daughter to a parochial school (Catholic) for one year it is quite evident that part of the intent is to "protect" and one method of doing that is by controlling the enviroment and education more. By attending the school we knew that there where different expectations then a public school. My daughter once wrote a letter to the principal expressing why she felt a new policy was not sound and started a petition. I of course supported her doing this as long as she did it in a respective manner and did not do it during class time. The principal was not pleased and wanted her disciplined. (It probably did not help that we are not Catholic and thus already a potential problem).
ReplyDeletemeant... in a respectful manner
ReplyDelete@Scha-blog, I can see how a parochial school would as you say want to "protect" and "control." But the part of the speech that was being censored didn't seem very controversial. It almost seemed like a petty move by the principle to exert her control, while not necessarily trying to protect anyone or prevent any controversy. This just seems like a principle's own penchant for censorship and control, and maybe that is born out of being head of a parochial school. But this is an unfortunate case of censorship.
ReplyDeleteLisa,
ReplyDeleteMaybe this situation is better at showing how one can misuse power and control, even if they believe they are being altruistic. If a person is used to having a certain level of control then the potential is there to overuse it. This, in many ways, is human nature and this situation is a good reminder for all of us to be vigalent about how we use what power we may have.
I don't think this was fair to the girl, or to anyone at the school. The girl was making a speech, and simply wanted to reinforce why the school was important to her. She personalized the speech by mentioning the contributors that meant something to her. It's sad that in today's society, everyone has to be so careful in what they say. We have to include everyone and everything, and if we don't, the ones not included get upset. I would somewhat understand if the principal was censoring something offensive or irrelevant, but what this young girl wanted to say was nowhere near offensive. It was relevant to her, and possibly others as well.
ReplyDelete