A 7-year-old boy was scolded and forced to write “I will never use the word `gay’ in school again” after he told a classmate about his lesbian mother, the American Civil Liberties Union (news – web sites) alleged Monday.
Second-grader Marcus McLaurin was waiting for recess Nov. 11 at Ernest Gallet Elementary School when a classmate asked about Marcus’ mother and father, the ACLU said in a complaint.
Marcus responded he had two mothers because his mother is gay. When the other child asked for explanation, Marcus told him: “Gay is when a girl likes another girl,” according to the complaint.
A teacher who heard the remark scolded Marcus, telling him “gay” was a “bad word” and sending him to the principal’s office. The following week, Marcus had to come to school early and repeatedly write: “I will never use the word `gay’ in school again.”
A phone message left for Lafayette Parish schools superintendent James Easton was not immediately returned.
The ACLU is demanding the case be removed from Marcus’ file and that the school apologize to the boy and his mother, Sharon Huff.
“I was concerned when the assistant principal called and told me my son had said a word so bad that he didn’t want to repeat it over the phone,” Huff said. “But that was nothing compared to the shock I felt when my little boy came home and told me that his teacher had told him his family is a dirty word.”
The school was way out of bounds in their behavior. Anyone involved in this issue should be FIRED! They call themselves educators. What A Joke!
I totally agree with you.
The Associated Press previosuly reported Marcus was required to fill out a form, in which he wrote, “I sed bad wurds.” In a space for “What I should have done,” he wrote, “Cep my mouf shut.”
I feel sorry for Marcus that he lives with two people who care so little about his upbringing that they would neglect to teach him grammar. He’s 7 years old, for crying out loud! My 5 year old’s writing skills are better than that.
I’d say Marcus’ problems lie in his home, not at the school.
The kid is in SECOND GRADE – he’s been writing for a little over a year. Yes, let’s focus on the his bad spelling instead of his school trampling all over his Constitutional rights and telling him his family is a dirty word.
Unfortunately. Things like this is more common than you think. Across the USA in schools, the powers that be have their own agenda that at times has nothing to do with teaching our children academia. We chose to homeschool. You’ll find lots of resources and support on the internet. Peace