Court Cases

Multiple Choice

Facts:  A high school student wore a t-shirt to school bearing the name of the rocker Marilyn Manson. The shirt had a three-faced Jesus, bearing the words, “See no Truth, Hear no Truth, Speak no Truth.” On the back of the t-shirt was the word “BeLIEve,” with the letters LIE in bold.

An assistant principal told the student that the shirt violated the school’s dress code which prohibited clothing that was offensive. The AP told the student to either turn the shirt inside out or go home to change. The student chose to go home. He returned the next day with another Marilyn Manson t-shirt and was again sent home.

The student sued – the case made its way to the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

 

Question: Can schools prohibit a student from wearing t-shirts with offensive messages?

Does this case have to do with equal opportunity or equal rights

• equal opportunity

• individual rights

Open Ended

Facts:  A high school student wore a t-shirt to school bearing the name of the rocker Marilyn Manson. The shirt had a three-faced Jesus, bearing the words, “See no Truth, Hear no Truth, Speak no Truth.” On the back of the t-shirt was the word “BeLIEve,” with the letters LIE in bold.

An assistant principal told the student that the shirt violated the school’s dress code which prohibited clothing that was offensive. The AP told the student to either turn the shirt inside out or go home to change. The student chose to go home. He returned the next day with another Marilyn Manson t-shirt and was again sent home.

The student sued – the case made its way to the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

 Question: Can schools prohibit a student from wearing t-shirts with offensive messages?

Based on what you know about the Supreme Court Case, what would your decision be if you were a judge?