You Be The Judge
Test your knowledge of the Five Freedoms and see how you match up to the courts...and fellow citizens.
Student Political Expression
On April 28 — the Day of Truth — an Illinois high school sophomore wore a "Be Happy, Not Gay" t-shirt to school. School officials said he could wear a T-shirt that read "Be Happy, Be Straight," but not his shirt's current message, which was too derogatory and would likely cause a disruption at the school.
May a school prevent a student from wearing a “Be Happy, Not Gay” t-shirt?
Vote Now!
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Vote AA. NOSchools can and must protect students from the invasion of their legal rights by other students. But no one has a legal right to prevent others from criticizing their beliefs or way of life.
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Vote BB. YESSchools must encourage respectful behavior and guarantee the safety of students. The need for a safe school outweighs the right to free expression.
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Vote CC. YESStudents in public schools do not have the right to wear t-shirts expressing political ideas. Such messages threaten the capacity of school officials to maintain a safe and orderly learning environment.
Icon of Freedom
Cesar Chavez
Champion of the Voiceless
Cesar Chavez, an American farm worker of Mexican descent, was a labor leader and civil rights activist who, with Dolores Huerta, founded the National Farm Workers' Association (which later became the United Farm Workers). By amplifying the voices of immigrant laborers, Chavez helped end numerous exploitative practices. He is considered one of the country's foremost civil rights leaders.
