In a town in East Texas there is a heated debate involving middle and high school cheerleading squads. The cheerleaders are making banners with bible verses displayed at Friday night football games. The cheerleaders believe that the bible verses are less negative than the typical slogans on the banners. The parents and the cheerleaders are suing the Kountze Independent School District and its superintendent, Kevin Weldon. The cheerleaders argue that the school district are prohibiting their freedom of speech and religious rights. On Thursday, October 4 the parents, cheerleaders, and Kevin Weldon went to court to discuss their issue. Kevin Weldon said his decision to prohibit the cheerleaders from putting Bible on the signs violated the school's policies and discriminated against the cheerleaders. The cheerleaders attorney David Starnes argued that the cheerleaders Bible themed verses are protected by private speech. The squads do not understand why the school district is upset because the banners do not require school funds. The cheerleading squads understand that people of other faith maybe offended, but they are just supporting their football team.
I agree with the cheerleaders because they are not doing anything negative. They are simply supporting their team in a different way. When attending a football game the banners usually has a phrase like "Take them down" or "Beat the Bulldogs." The bible verses are more encouraging, not only to the players, but fans as well. The banners with Bible verses offer the fans a different perception of school and the cheerleaders. I believe Kevin Weldon, the superintendent knew it was wrong when he prohibited the cheerleaders. The squads have valid points such as, the banners do not use school funds and the district is violating their freedom of speech. If I was the superintendent of a school district and cheerleaders from my district were making themed Bible verse banners, I would be proud. To me the banners prove that the cheerleaders are mature and know the real meaning of a team. It's not about how much weight training you do, how many tackles you have, or who wins the game. It about knowing the God really gives you strength on and off the football field.
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/05/us/in-texas-cheerleaders-signs-of-faith-at-issue.html?pagewanted=2&ref=education
October 5, 2012
12:51pm
I couldnt disagree more with you. If there is a jew, or a muslim, or a hindu at that school, do you think banners extolling jesus christ make them feel different? outsiders? excluded? If a different group of cheerleaders wanted to write signs that said 'all praise Allah', do you think you would still agree? Or that this would be allowed by the administration? Put yourself in the place of any minority, maybe you would see things differently.
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