Things May Not Be As They Appear

According to the National Post the school censorship story I linked to almost two weeks ago left out a few details. Many, including classmates at the Ontario school involved in the story, say that the story isn’t about censorship at all, but threats made after the much reported drama class reading of a violent story about bombing a school.

Already, the school has disclosed the boy was not suspended [for reading the story in class] and the police not consulted until allegations surfaced that he made direct face-to-face threats to Tagwi students in the days following the monologue.

Three of the four criminal charges against the boy pertain to alleged death threats to specific classmates.

Fellow students also rejected the bullying angle noting that the boy “[seemed to] enjoy being an outcast” (Meghan Baker, a peer counsellor) and that “he was at this school for only two months. And he was not bullied” (Melissa Baker, head girl at the school). And, the boy’s lawyer apparently urged a delay of the bail hearing at least three times (while speaking out about the free speech implications of the case), which seems to be a somewhat questionable course of action. Clearly there are still some holes in this story and clearly I should have been more skeptical (especially with such a sensational story).

However, even though this story is no longer about censorship it still raises some questions in my mind. Certainly, if the boy did specifically threaten classmates then a criminal investigation is the expected response. But, on the other hand, why is someone who doesn’t appear to be particularly interested in school required to be there? Would it not be better for him, and those who do want to attend, for him to be doing something else? Personally, I think that at least a few of the current school system’s problems could be solved by making it a wholly voluntary enterprise.

Update: This story continues.

Hat tip to National Post Headline Scan

Copyright © 2000-2011 Electric Dirt Farmer.