10 redview Rules regarding chewing tobacco on school property are clear: it is not, under any circumstances, an acceptable practice. But, as of late, these rules have not been enforced strictly in classrooms across the high school, and chewing on school property has become commonplace. Until rules on chewing are enforced, students will continue this unacceptable, not to mention illegal, practice. And yes, we have to face the facts: chewing tobacco on school property is an illegal activity. The law states that “-------“ and the school
handbook states that “------.” And yet, day after day, teachers turn a blind eye because it is easier to let it happen than be vigilant. Students spit chew into bottles, on the floor, and in trash cans around the school,__, and most teachers let it happen. Not only are these students doing something that is against the law, but they are putting themselves at risk for lip cancer and becoming addicted to tobacco. We can conclude that it’s time for change and for teachers to enforce the rules of their establishment.
September 27, 2013
Gender Laws emilypennington
staffreporter
The state of California recently passed a law that allows transgenders to enter the restrooms, locker rooms, and sports teams of their choice. Transgenders are people who are born as one sex, but have the appearance and behavior of the opposite sex. Some think of this law as the best thing to ever happen to the Californian society, others, however, view this law as an invasion of their human rights. Personally speaking, I do not support this law. When it comes to the California Gender Law, it does not only affect the transgender students, but every other student and faculty member in that school district. The gender law infringes on the rights of everyone else. Tia Jones(15) said, “Keeping and enforcing this law creates an invitation for violence and discrimination against transgender people...first we have to eliminate the prejudice against transgenders, then this law would be effective.” Individuality is an important part of American society, as well as having the freedom to have one’s voice heard; however, forcing students to just accept and be okay with the fact that their privacy is being compromised is absurd. Whether the students are
homophobic or not, the law is just a recipe for disaster. Tom Ammiano, who wrote the bill, said in an interview with reporter James Nash, “We had children testify in the Assembly and Senate that this law will mean they no longer must hide who they are, nor be treated as someone other than who they are.” Transgenders should be treated equally and be able to be who they are; they should not have to feel invisible. I believe that they could still stay true to themselves without this law. As far as the sports teams part is concerned, it is not as much of an issue as the bathroom and locker room part of the bill. Heterosexual students participate in sports meant for the opposite sex already, but when a teenage girl is undressing in the locker room and a boy walks in and changes right next to her, it is uncomfortable and unfair to the girl. Just because the boy considers himself to be female, that should not make it okay for him to be able to enter as he pleases. Teenagers are insecure with themselves enough as it is; adding this level of privacy invasion is ridiculous. Sylvia Renfroe(14) said, “...Little girls or boys don’t need
to be in the same facility of an adult while they are changing. It’s one thing if it’s their parents, but it’s completely different if it’s a random stranger.” This law could easily be taken advantage of by men or women who just want to be closer to the opposite sex and have horrible intentions. California State Senator Jim Nielsen said in an interview with reporter Eric Owens, “There are youthful sex offenders. I guarantee there would be those who use this opportunity.” Rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment are already an issue as it is. With this bill passed, sexual assault is bound to increase on school grounds. If this law goes further than just schools, it will surely increase there too. This law has more cons than it does pros, and there is a huge possibility for problems to arise. All possible scenarios were not considered in the making of this bill. This bill helps the 2 percent of Californians that are for the bill; however, there is 98 percent of California’s population that it negatively affects. Simply stated, more bad comes from this law than good.