Last week, I drove in a truly terrifying snow storm to teach an abbreviated lesson on free speech at
Jonesport-Beales High School . Jonesport-Beales is the first high school in Washington County that we've visited. Through the Bill of Rights education program, I have the privilege of working with a lot of bright, talented students across Maine. And I'm not just saying that - Maine has some brilliant thinkers in our schools. Jonesport-Beales is a unique school to visit, however, as I visit the Issues Class, a class in which students consider, assess and debate political and cultural issues.
I've spoken to many classes about free speech and the First Amendment, but never before had I spoken to a class that had already debated whether hate speech should be constitutionally protected. As I began to list relevant First Amendment cases, students let me know they were already aware of
Morse v. Frederick, more popularly known as the "Bong Hits for Jesus" case, a case in which the Supreme Court held that the First Amendment does not prohibit educators from suppressing drug-related speech at school sponsored events. I was thoroughly impressed with their awareness, and heartened to see so many student critically thinking.
We had to cut our lesson short, as a winter storm warning was in effect and school was dismissed early. As I drove through near white-out conditions, I thought about my high school years. When I was at Windham High School,
I participated in Dirigo Girls State , where we simulated Congress and I played the role of Senator, and where I debated issues like abortion, racial justice, and free speech. I firmly believe that my experience at Dirigo Girls was one primary event that eventually led me to the ACLU. While in high school, critically thinking about political and cultural issues sparked in me a love for all things fair and just.
As we end 2010, I proudly reflect on the work the ACLU of MAINE has done with Maine students. We reached well over 1,000 young people, and many of them know more about their rights than they did before we met.
The Constitution is safer as more young minds understand it, and I take much comfort in this. Next year, I'd like to reach double the number of young people, but we could not do it without your support. Do you have experience teaching and would like to help us lead lessons? Do you have a class you'd like us to visit? Email me at
[email protected] . Less comfortable teaching?
Make a donation to the ACLU of MAINE - $1 pays for one pocket constitution for a Maine student. We leave them with every school we visit, so any dollar amount helps.
Thanks for all that you do, and Happy New Year!