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NW Classen bulletin board vandalized again


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The following is an email from Joe Quigley
(Posted 3-26-03)

(3-26-03) I sent the following Email to the principal of NWClassen today. I think it is self-explanatory.
Joe

Mr. Davis,
I am reporting a repetition of vandalism.
Last year at the end of the the 2001-2002 academic year I reported that the plaque on the Community Bulletin Board which read." GIFT OF GAY AND LESBIAN ALUMNI OF OKLAHOMA PUBLIC SCHOOLS" had been removed in spite of its being epoxied in place.
Today, 03/26/03, as I had occasion to pass the bulletin board I observed that the replacement plaque was also missing, this in spite of its being secured with metal screws and nuts.
Obviously, as in the first case of vandalism this second removal would not only call for enough time to remove the screws, nuts and the plaque itself, but also the tools with which to do this.One would have to conclude that this had to be done when time was a convenience and, most likely, by an adult as a student opening the locked bulletin board and using tools would have been readily noticeable.
There seems to be an attitude and atmosphere that not only makes this permissible, but encouraged as well.
I remind you that last academic year on the anniversary of 9/11 a magazine article was removed from my door by a custodian because it was about the Gay and Lesbian Heroes of that day, and as you were able to point this out to the mediator at our initial meeting with her you knew of this. Also, that year during Brotherhood Week my poster containing the names and pictures of famous Gay and Lesbian people had been vandalized obviously after hours by an adult and was deemed an "inside job" by the then area administrator. You, yourself, admitted to entering my classroom this past 9/11 anniversary objecting to the posting of the biography of Fr. Mychal Judge because its posting was an alleged violation of Paragraph J, but only removed that part of his bio that mentioned that he was a Gay, celibate priest using scissors you had borrowed from another teacher. The two plaques have now been removed on two separate occasions.
It may be a good idea and a good time to change the attitude and atmosphere that allows for such convenient, and possibly encouraged vandalism. This sort of attitude and atmosphere are not very positive, nor do they speak of an atmosphere on campus that is safe and welcoming for all students, Gay and Straight, and goes against district policy and NWClassen's own policies, mission statement and mission epigram.
Perhaps it is time to start allowing the posting of positive information and role models for our GLBT Students and their peers, as well as the faculty and staff, and end the censorship which is unarguably the sole purpose of Paragraph J.
The vandalism based on content and unpopular speech obviously needs to end, as do the attitude and atmosphere that encourage it.

Joseph M Quigley

 

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