totheextraordinarykb:

gaymilesedgeworth:

appropriately-inappropriate:

drst:

dragon-in-a-fez:

school districts and administrators are working hard to scare students out of protesting in the wake of the Parkland shooting.

don’t fall for their bullshit. you have the right to speak up and make yourself heard. a local superintendent doesn’t overrule the first amendment, much as they might like to.

and here’s an open invitation: I’m a teacher, recent PhD, one-time educational administrator (although not in a public school), and hopefully soon to be a college professor. if you need advice on navigating the crap your school is giving you or minimizing the impact they can have on your chances of getting into the college of your dreams, message me. I’ll help you find legal resources, write admissions essays, find ways to argue for your right to protest to your school board – whatever I can do.

please signal boost this, and if you’re someone who can help (civil rights lawyer? college admissions counsellor? experienced activist leader?), join in and let young activists know what you can do to help.

Hi there is no such thing as a “permanent record” outside of the legal system. Your school records don’t go to the FBI or the cops.

Also if you get suspended or punished for protesting, call the ACLU. There’s case law protecting the first amendment rights of students. They can help.

Not to mention,

“I see you got suspended. Why?”

“I got suspended for organizing/participating in a direct action initiative to address gun violence in American schools in the wake of the Florida Shooting.”

That shows an engagement with current events and an active participation in civil government. Trust me, colleges eat that shit up with a spoon.

the common application will specifically ask you to write an essay explaining why you got suspended, and you absolutely imagine you could use it to sell yourself as a candidate in this situation

Just to add- MIT has already announced that accepted students can participate without fear that discipline will affect their acceptances. I expect other universities will follow suit.