Crayon "draws" school suspension for 10-year-old, federal court upholds it

[Jazzy]

NEW YORK - When a 10-year-old boy in suburban New York City made a crayon drawing that expressed a desire to blow up his school and its teachers, the boy was suspended from school for six days.

Acknowledging school violence nationwide, a federal appeals court in Manhattan Thursday upheld the boy's suspension, backing a prior lower court ruling.



The parents of the boy from Montgomery, N.Y., about 60 miles north of New York City, had contended their son's suspension was a violation of the First Amendment.



The decision by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan to uphold the suspension was not unanimous. One member of the three-judge panel said the drawing by the fifth grader was a crude joke that failed.



The 10-year-old boy was identified only as B.C. He was suspended after he showed his drawing to other classmates. They laughed, but one of them complained to the teacher.



Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_.../?tag=cbsnewsTwoColLowerPromoArea;fd.morenews



Question: Do you think he deserved to be suspended? Why or why not?

 

[Jazzy]

I didn't find what he did could be considered a crude joke that failed. This kid maybe even needs to talk to someone as to why he would even draw something like this. I think he got what was deserved but this kid troubles me.

 

[Skillet]

This is a hard one. If his drawing doesn't physically hurt someone I feel suspension is not the route to go. I would suggest a sit down with teachers , parents, etc, and talk about why he decided to draw that.

 

[Evil Eye]

I think they're overreacting.

Seriously overreacting. (And it's another blow in the face of this supposed free speech...)

Everyone raise your hand if you've always likes going to school.

I'm not sure what psychopaths you're raising over there, but over here there's quite a big difference between imagination and reality.

Expressing one's frustration probably decreases stress as well, thus decreasing the odds of someone actually blowing up their school.

Sure, this kid (and the ones around him) will learn not to draw the school like that anymore. At that age I would've carried a grudge, though.