In the October issue of the Neshaminy High School newspaper, the Playwickian, the editorial staff decided that the word Redskin was racist and offensive to Native Americans, and that they would no longer use it or any derivative of it in their paper. This caused some issues as the school's sports teams are named the Redskins.
This issue has garnered much attention locally and nationally having been discussed in the New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Buck's County Courier Times and on Keith Olbermann's show on ESPN. However the major focus has been on the Redskin's controversy not, what is to my mind and the student's minds, the most important factor; the students right to make that decision.
I would like to tell the school board, the students and all Neshaminy parents, that these are young adults we should all be proud of. They give their free time to put out an award winning newspaper. They have recently been awarded the 2012-2013 Gold Award from the Pennsylvania School Press association and the Silver Certificate of Excellence for High School Journalism from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. The Pennsylvania School Press had this to say about the current Playwickian:
"The Playwickian newspaper staff, advised by veteran Tara Huber, was recognized for regularly looking beyond the campus for issues of concern to students. “You are not afraid to write about the hard and sensitive issues. You take risks on editorial pages – bravo!” The judge continued, “Nice job on social media presence. You did a great service to your readers. You also included Howler material. All great ways to provide coverage.”
These students also exemplify what I hope every student is learning in our schools. They held an intelligent discourse about the subject then voted on it. Even after voting on it the opposing viewpoint was given equal time. Then most importantly, they all stood behind the paper's right to decide it. "I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" is a principle this country was founded upon and is shown in practice by these 21 very brave students.
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