Westminster Principal Stepping on Constitution
No, Principal Maspero, we will not give up our First Amendment right of free speech. If we want to speak to a reporter or write a letter to a newspaper, we will. One reason we want to live in the U.S.A. is because no tyrant can prevent our lawful freedom of expression.
By the accounts of those close to the situation, a recent confrontation near Westminster High School was “two jerks” squaring off, yet your headline blared “Ethnic Tension” (“After-School Fight Blamed on Ethnic Tension,” Sept. 19). The comment of one white student hardly serves as corroboration. The second incident could easily be a reaction more to your headline than to the first fight.
When I take my son to Westminster High, I see students walking side by side, students embracing, students performing those ridiculous, but sincere routines that have replaced the handshake. They are students of various colors, varied backgrounds, very unaware of their differences. There are admittedly embers of racial disharmony at Westminster High, as there are throughout the world. But your bias acts as bellows to those embers. How much better it would be for all if your focus were a gentle rain to douse them.
JEANINE LAIRD
Westminster
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