We talked about this one last night and the story is getting ready to make a local school district a mockery among the national media elite . . .
The money line from a Shawnee Mission School District presser:
"The wearing of a safety pin as a political statement is the latest example of such political speech. Although wearing the safety pin as political speech is not the problem, any disruption the political statement causes in the classroom or school is a distraction in the education process. We ask staff members to refrain from wearing safety pins or other symbols of divisive and partisan political speech while on duty--unless such activity is specifically in conjunction with District curriculum."
Predictably, the story is blowing up on social media locally and national media outlets are soon to make the JoCo district look like a bunch of hayseeds from flyover country . . .
KC media summary:
Pitch: Shawnee Mission School District forbids teachers from wearing safety pins
KCTV5: Shawnee Mission School District tells staff to avoid wearing safety pins
Like it or not, the fashion crackdown is laughable and treats poorly paid educators like Lady Gaga wearing one of her more provocative outfits. The safety pin movement might have its detractors as a sign of rebuke against Prez-Elect Trump and his supporters but its roots are that of a silent symbol aimed at showing support for the vulnerable.
Here's some of what our reader community noted on the topic . . .
"It's common sense that teachers should be low key on political and religious campaigning and proselytizing. They're grownups in a power position and they shouldn't abuse their authority over children."
"It doesn't get any more low-key than a safety pin. It is literally silent."
"What's the big deal? Let those "safetypinners" have their way. Then the USA flag, MAGA, and NRA pins, hats, shirts, etc., would soon appear."
We think more conversation on this silly topic is warranted along with a clarification from the District what the penalty is for refusing to follow the draconian dress code ad hoc declarations as public schools are the latest local political minefield.
Developing . . .