A 14-year-old girl, Nikki Lanoco, was suspended from Clayton High School for having a nose ring. Certain facial piercings are not allowed due to the schools dress code. Nikki and her mother claim that they are part of religion that is called the Church of Body Modification, a small group in rural in North Carolina. Their belief is a non-theistic faith that draws people who see tattoos, piercings, and other physical alternations as ways of experiencing their divine. The Johnston County Schools dress code policy prohibits many different types of facial piercings but do allow officials to make amends regarding religious conflict. The only problem is that officials are questioning the religion saying that it is made up or don't exist. After being suspended the first time, Nikki and her mother went back with the nose ring still in and was suspended another five days. If she comes back when her time is up with it still in, she will be suspended for another 10 days or referral to alternative schooling. The Laconos have went to North Carolina ACLU for help to win the court case.
My critique on this case is that Im in the middle. I agree with both parts. The school has the right to go by their policy and they can't let any slide by it and not get in trouble. I thought we had to seperate church and state. But at the same time, I have faith in Christianity and if someone was trying to make me do something against my religion, I'd fight too. It is only a nose piercing. Why are the schools making a big deal? Is it really altering other people by having to see it? This is the first time I have heard a school having no facial piercings in the dress code policy. I think its really bizzare and the schools are being ridiculous. So even though that religion is not very well known and small they should respect her religion like every other one.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hfzIAZx8J9TaN6TwZpSftLVbGCeAD9I8UHB01
I agree with you on your opinion. I think the school does have a right to suspend her since she does go against school policy but it is part of her religion "or so she says." I definitely do understand why the school would accuse her and her mom of making up the religion but even if she did, it is her religion and the school should respect that.
ReplyDeleteI believe that it is very common that K-12 schools not allow their students to have facial piercings, so I don't think that the family should be surprised that the teenager was suspended. I think the school has every right to suspend her and to be skeptical of their religion. However, I don't think they have to right to say that it flat out does not exist. The family should bring proper documentation and take the necessary measures to prove that their religion does exist. If they have proof that it, in fact, does exist, then the family should have nothing to worry about.
ReplyDelete