Freedom of press an annoyance ... NOT

Allison Jaramillo: Guest colunist

I write in response to the Clovis High School in-school suspensions of the Purple Press newspaper staff:

I am appalled to see that free press was even allowed in our public schools. As a Clovis High School senior, I firmly believe that learning should be censored and restricted by the administration. Imagine my shock and horror when I found my fellow classmates had an opinion and an outlet to sound it.

Administration should be able to control all aspects of the press, because the administration is always right and to argue is futile.

To solve the growing problem of free press in our schools, I have a few simple solutions.

Individuality as a whole is the main problem. I say ignore that whole First Amendment thing. The administrators should put an end to this distraction. They should resort to martial law. This would squelch all things varying from normalcy and would keep all usurpers at bay. Everybody who is different in any way or makes an effort to set themselves apart from the rest of the sheep should be shot immediately. Or, even better, they should turn one of the junior highs into a concentration camp for the troublemakers.

To solve the problem countrywide would take more of a push from Congress. The constitution has been interpreted and changed numerous times since it has been written. Why not change the amendment our forefathers thought was important enough to make first? Free press? What is this hogwash? I personally am going to lobby Congress to repeal the First Amendment all together and make free press not only frowned upon, but illegal too.

In case anybody thinks I’ve been serious up to now, let me clarify: I’m outraged at the administration’s decision to exercise a prior review of the student newspaper.

Contrary to popular belief, not all high school students are as shallow as blow-up kiddy pools. Some of us pay attention to what is going on around us and actually want to make a difference.

As children, we are all taught a basic concept of right and wrong. My instincts tell me that punishing students for speaking their mind is completely wrong and should not be tolerated by this community.

Our school system teaches us freedom and tolerance of differences. Freedom is what makes our country what it is. Without having our freedom to write, speak and worship as we please, we are no better than the fascist dictators that we condemn.

As a student, I know what goes on in our schools and I am fed up with the hypocrisy of a controlled press.

Allison Jaramillo is a senior at Clovis High School. Contact her at:

[email protected]