Another example of how “zero-tolerance” is bullshit

There are many so-called “zero-tolerance” rules in place these days, particularly in schools. Zero-tolerance for violence. Zero-tolerance for vandalism. Even zero-tolerance for backtalk, I once read (I shit you not). While the idea behind these rules sensible – the less violence, bullying, vandalism and arguments, the better – what makes “zero-tolerance” policies wrong and ridiculous is that they simply do not allow for exceptions and special cases. Okay, so fighting is wrong – but what if you’re just fighting to defend yourself against someone who’s trying to bash your face in? Or, if a bully is spearing you (as a sensitive child) verbally, what if you just snap and tell him to fuck off, thereby getting punished yourself just for defending yourself? You get the picture.

The intent behind any action is what’s most important of all, far more than the action itself. And this is how and why this next story is so ridiculous. 6-year-old first grader Zachary Christie is being disciplined for breaking his school’s stringent “zero-tolerance” policy on weapons. Here are the two key points: first, the “weapon” little Zachary brought to school? A boy scout spork. Ooh, deadly.

And, second and worst of all: as a result, he’s now facing 45 days in a reform school.

For bringing a fucking spork to school.

Has this world gone completely insane?

Zachary’s offense? Taking a camping utensil that can serve as a knife, fork and spoon to school. He was so excited about recently joining the Cub Scouts that he wanted to use it at lunch. School officials concluded that he had violated their zero-tolerance policy on weapons, and Zachary was suspended and now faces 45 days in the district’s reform school.

“It just seems unfair,” Zachary said, pausing as he practiced writing lower-case letters with his mother, who is home-schooling him while the family tries to overturn his punishment.

“Unfair?” “Unfair”, is being bullied, or losing some spare change, or failing at math because you have a handicap or something. Being sent to reform school with actual bullies and brats just because you were excited about joining the boy scouts and wanted to use a cool piece of equipment at dinner, which broke some truly ridiculous school rules, is more than unfair. It’s insane.

Zachary’s mother has launched a website, helpzachary.com, to try and gain support in the hopes of pressuring the local school board during its meeting today. I applaud her initiative, but sadly, I do not think it will accomplish much. These clowns seem well set and comfortable with their rules, and I heavily doubt they’re gonna change them just because people are decrying an injustice.

A spork, treated a weapon. Unreal. You’d be lucky to be hurt if you got one jammed in your eye.

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Update –
Actually, I saw this Wednesday evening but forgot to mention it: in a true miracle, Zachary was cleared to return to his school, his suspension lifted and the school board hastily amended their school rules and policies. Definitely, a good thing to hear, and I certainly suspect that blowing the story wide open largely instigated the board’s change of mind. Say what you want about the media, but when you really need it, it can be your best friend in the world.

(via The Agitator)
Technorati tags: schools · Zachary+Christie · zero tolerance · weapons · children · boy scouts