MichaelMoore.com

Got Free Speech?

From: Sara
To: contributions@michaelmoore.com
Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2005 12:01 PM
Subject: why my sister is a hero

Dear Mr. Moore,

My sister Katy is a senior at Fort Hill High School in Cumberland, Maryland. In her school, there is a strong element of prejudice against gays, and students are constantly harassed. Katy, who passionately supports the rights of all human beings, is horrified by this.

One day, her good friend who is gay, wore eyeliner to school and was threatened with suspension by the vice-principal. Katy was outraged by the total illegality of this, and decided to make a stand for the rights of the gay students in her high school. The following day, she went to school with a piece of duct tape over her mouth with the words "Got free speech?" written on it. Almost immediately, she was sent to the office, where the vice-principal suspended her out of school for ten days. Two days later, after meeting with the Allegany County Board of Education, the principal reversed the suspension and took it off Katy's record.

Her act of protest gave a male student the courage to come out to his class the following day. I have never been so proud of anyone in my life, and knowing that young people like my sister are willing to risk everything to defend the rights guaranteed to us by the Constitution gives me great hope. I consider you, my sister, Rosa Parks, and all the other defenders of human rights all over the country to be the greatest patriots of all.

Thank you,
Sara