Principled Principal

Burien is a small town located in Washington state….population about 50,000.  Yet, it too has experienced the sad, small minded, and low human exposure of hate speech.  Recently, there were hateful symbols and words scrawled on a rock near Highline High School. To her credit, school principal had the scribble immediately removed.  Her words speak for her and the beliefs of many people in this country.  

“We will investigate and take appropriate disciplinary action,” Principal Vicki Fisher said. “Hate speech in any form is unacceptable at Highline High School. We will not tolerate words or actions that are meant to harass, intimidate or denigrate any group or individual. We are committed to being a school where all students and staff feel safe, respected and valued.”

I commend her in recognizing that discipline is required for the illegal act of defacing property.  I also remind all of us that it is not just discipline and punishment that will help erase these kind of expressions.  Education is also needed.  Highline High School is faced with that just as Michigan State must deal with it with the young girl who used social media instead of paint on a rock to show her disabilities. Our institutions of education, at all levels, must also play their part in helping our young people learn the lessons of humanity and decency.  This is a huge task when we don’t always get the best of role modeling or support for our government or leading social opinion makers.  Principal Fisher is doing her part.