[Winona Online Democracy] http://www.startribune.com/stories/1592/5382316.html
Winona teen tests the limits of free speech at school James Walsh, Star Tribune May 4, 2005 WINONA, Minn. -- After all the radio interviews, after all the newspaper stories and television stories and hundreds and hundreds of e-mails, Carrie Rethlefsen ended her lesson in free speech and democracy today by doing a simple thing: She walked into school with her "I [heart] My Vagina" T-shirt's message in plain sight. About 40 classmates had walked in just seconds before after turning their T-shirts inside out. And, minutes later, she emerged with another lesson learned. The administrators at Winona Senior High School mean what they say. They sent her home for the day. "I'm happy," said Rethlefsen, 18. "I got my message out there." What began as a simple act of defiance -- she wore a "I [heart] My Vagina" button to school to raise awareness about violence against women, even after officials told her not to -- evolved into a platform to talk about women's rights, the fight against violence and freedom of speech that she couldn't have imagined two weeks ago. Carrie RethlefsenRenee JonesStar Tribune She's been a guest on nearly 30 radio shows. She's been interviewed by two different television news shows. Her story has been carried in newspapers all over the world. Even Fox News' Bill O'Reilly called to have her on his show -- a request she politely declined. "I pretty much talked for three straight days," she said of her 15 minutes of fame. It all started after Rethlefsen attended a production of "The Vagina Monologues" at Winona State University back in February. She started wearing the button to school to highlight the issues discussed in the play, such as violence against women. School officials told her the button was offensive, but Rethlefsen refused to take it off. She continued to wear the button despite threats of suspension and possibly expulsion. Other students came up with the idea to wear T-shirts in support of her message. The rally appears to be a middle ground for Rethlefsen and school officials. Freedom vs. offensePrincipal Nancy Wondrasch thought she had a compromise worked out with Rethlefsen for today. Students would be allowed to wear T-shirts and rally around the flagpole at the front of the school before classes started. In addition, she said, the school was taking steps to ensure that the issue of violence against women and women's rights will continue to be heard in the school, by encouraging the creation of a women's studies group and inviting the Women's Resource Center of Winona to bring in speakers . "We hope this isn't just a one day thing," she said. But wearing the shirts inside the school is not appropriate, she said. In a school of 1,300 students, the word vagina is too disruptive, she said. And teachers and other staff members stood at the doors to make sure students either covered the shirts or turned them inside out before coming inside. By the time students began arriving at the flagpole at about 8 a.m. today, teachers were out in force, positioned in front of the school and at other entrances. A couple police officers also stopped by. A few minutes before classes were scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., Assistant Principal Ben Johnson stood near the doors with a bullhorn. "The drama" would begin at 9, he predicted. A 37-year veteran of the Winona schools who is set to retire in a couple months, Johnson said of Rethlefsen and the other students gathered nearby: "They are good kids. They just have a different view of what's appropriate. We just feel differently about a particular word being used in school." Freedom of speech is one thing, he said. Disrupting school with a word many people find offensive is another. "It has to do with where you draw the line," he said. "We consider public education to be the backbone of America. And we have to draw the line. If you let this in, what's next?" But Dwayne Voegeli, a social studies teacher at the school, said he admires the stand Rethlefsen and the other students have taken. "I'm very proud of them and I'm also inspired by them," he said. "She's been really mature and very respectful, both of the school and of the principal. And she hasn't lost sight of the reason for doing this in the first place." Taking a stand Mary Thorp, a Winona resident, stood at the flagpole holding a sign. On one side, it read: "Every three minutes, someone is raped." On the other, was the word "Offensive?" "I think that these young women have taken a stand," she said. Against sexual abuse. Against violence. And against censorship. Nearby, Jon Heer, 18, a Winona High senior, wore a T-shirt saying, "I support your Vagina." His sister is a student at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, he said. He's been raised "with the belief that people are equal." As the minutes ticked away, students held signs and handed out fliers, explaining Rethlefsen's stand. Then, just before 9 a.m., the group moved to the door. Almost in unison, they took off their shirts, turned them inside out, and put them back on again. Then they walked past the teachers and into school. Rethlefsen, however, strode inside without changing her shirt. She was immediately escorted to the office. A few minutes later, she was joined by another student. Katelyn Delvaux, who wouldn't change her shirt either. She joked that her mother was expecting the call from the principal's office. Outside, the young women said they probably won't wear the shirts Wednesday. There are only a few weeks left to school and both are looking forward to graduating. Still, Rethlefsen, who plans to study women's studies and journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Madison next year, said she believes her efforts will have a lasting effect. "Even if people disagreed with me," she said. "At least they were talking about the issues." James Walsh is at [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------ Dwayne Voegeli Winona County Commissioner (507) 453-9012 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 359 Pleasant Hill Dr. Winona, MN 55987 ------------ _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
