A Piercing Reason to Blog Again
I was looking for a reason to start blogging again. Instead, the reason came looking for me.
This week, I was “disinvited” to an upcoming March school visit. It was scheduled way back in June, but some time during the last few days, someone from the school visited my website and found my appearance objectionable. Evidently, my piercings are “offensive to members of the community.” So I was “asked” to remove them for the school visit. When I told them I wouldn’t, I was informed I was no longer welcome at the school.
At first, I was ready to go off. I wanted to send out letters, flood social media, contact news organizations and slip cables to WikiLeaks. But instead, I followed my “Ten Minute Rule.” That’s something I speak to kids about when I visit schools and do my Writing Camps.
And it really worked. I walked my talk, practiced what I preached. It enabled me to catch my breath and proceed in a way where everyone could win. Whether everyone will win remains to be seen.
I asked for feedback on Facebook and Twitter. I did it in a manner where I didn’t say where the school was or who (what group) found my piercings offensive. I provided just enough information so that people could weigh in. The postings exceeded expectations.
I am so grateful. Thank you. And thank you again.
Right now, I’m waiting to hear back from the school. Perhaps they’re reconsidering. I truly hope so, but it’s doubtful. As a result, a letter to the district superintendent is in my draft folder.
The school is wrong on every level - ethical, contractual, legal -- but I’m not prepared (nor do I have the desire) to go that route. The decision also reeks of sexism, but that’s another avenue I have no interest in traveling down.
What troubles me and prevents me from standing idly by is that it’s a decision that is harmful to children. Children are being deprived of an educational experience because of intolerance. That’s what this is.
As my good friend Scot Larrabee said, talk about judging a book by its cover.
Oh, by the way, my offensive jewelry: At present, I have a single earring in my right ear (an airplane for my picture book, The Hallelujah Flight). In my left ear, I wear three earrings -- a stud, a hoop and a peace sign. My right eyebrow is pierced with a bar. I also wear two necklaces -- one is a souvenir from a South Carolina vacation, the other is an equal sign, purchased from the Human Rights Campaign. I also keep a silver chain hooked to my belt loop so I don’t lose my keys.
This week, I was “disinvited” to an upcoming March school visit. It was scheduled way back in June, but some time during the last few days, someone from the school visited my website and found my appearance objectionable. Evidently, my piercings are “offensive to members of the community.” So I was “asked” to remove them for the school visit. When I told them I wouldn’t, I was informed I was no longer welcome at the school.
At first, I was ready to go off. I wanted to send out letters, flood social media, contact news organizations and slip cables to WikiLeaks. But instead, I followed my “Ten Minute Rule.” That’s something I speak to kids about when I visit schools and do my Writing Camps.
And it really worked. I walked my talk, practiced what I preached. It enabled me to catch my breath and proceed in a way where everyone could win. Whether everyone will win remains to be seen.
I asked for feedback on Facebook and Twitter. I did it in a manner where I didn’t say where the school was or who (what group) found my piercings offensive. I provided just enough information so that people could weigh in. The postings exceeded expectations.
I am so grateful. Thank you. And thank you again.
Right now, I’m waiting to hear back from the school. Perhaps they’re reconsidering. I truly hope so, but it’s doubtful. As a result, a letter to the district superintendent is in my draft folder.
The school is wrong on every level - ethical, contractual, legal -- but I’m not prepared (nor do I have the desire) to go that route. The decision also reeks of sexism, but that’s another avenue I have no interest in traveling down.
What troubles me and prevents me from standing idly by is that it’s a decision that is harmful to children. Children are being deprived of an educational experience because of intolerance. That’s what this is.
As my good friend Scot Larrabee said, talk about judging a book by its cover.
Oh, by the way, my offensive jewelry: At present, I have a single earring in my right ear (an airplane for my picture book, The Hallelujah Flight). In my left ear, I wear three earrings -- a stud, a hoop and a peace sign. My right eyebrow is pierced with a bar. I also wear two necklaces -- one is a souvenir from a South Carolina vacation, the other is an equal sign, purchased from the Human Rights Campaign. I also keep a silver chain hooked to my belt loop so I don’t lose my keys.