We teach our children that they should be allowed to express themselves even if it means being different from other kids. Which is why it upset me to learn that a school in North Carolina is preventing a 9-year-old boy from doing just that. Little Grayson Bruce is a big My Little Pony fan.
He loves it so much that he has a Rainbow Flash backpack lunchbox, but his school, a part of Buncombe County Schools, is banning him from carrying it because they say it is a "trigger for bullying." Give me a break!
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Bruce was subjected to bullying and teasing from other students at his school for liking My Little Pony. Instead of disciplining the bullies, the school told the boy to leave his backpack at home because it was causing a disruption in the classroom.
The student told WSBTV that he was picked on because his backpack was "girly." Despite being bullied, he refuses to give up on his favorite cartoon and says it sends out a positive message.
His mom, Noreen, also finds the school's orders preposterous. "Saying a lunchbox is a trigger for bullying, is like saying a short skirt is a trigger for rape. It's flawed logic, it doesn't make any sense," she said. Since Bruce's story became public, he has received an outpouring of support from Facebook where a page was created for him as well as a Change.org petition intended to allow him to bring his My Little Pony lunchbox back to school.
Buncombe County Schools meanwhile refuses to comment and only says that they take bullying seriously and are looking into the matter.
The way this school is handling this situation is not only unprofessional, but they are setting up an environment for bullying. Why are they punishing a child who did nothing wrong except express interest in a harmless cartoon? If they think ONLY girls like this cartoon, then they've never heard of "Bronies," guys who like My Little Pony. I hope Bruce ends up winning this fight.
But if you thought banning a My Little Pony backpack was crazy, check out some other dumb things schools are banning, below.
Image via WSBTV
Best friends
A school in the U.K. banned students from having best friends! The reason being? They want to prevent children from emotional turmoil causes by fights between each other. This is so dumb! How are they supposed to learn how to handle conflict with those closest to them if they can't have best friends?
Football jersey
As a Broncos fan, third-grader Konnor Vanatta was attempting to show team pride at school before a big game. Instead, school officials apparently informed that the number is associated with certain gangs and therefore is not allowed on clothing inside county classrooms. But that's not even the weirdest part! The same policy also applies to additional numbers, including 13, 14, 31, 41 and 81. Huh?!
Deaf sign name
A school actually had the nerve to ask a deaf preschool to change the way he signed his name because the hand gesture looks like a gun. REALLY?!
Binder photos
Honors student Brianna Gentry was almost kicked out of school, simply for displaying some photos on her binder!
Sex education textbooks
One California School District was sued for using abstinence-only textbooks that left out many of the most popular and effective forms of contraceptives__,__ and instead highlighting ineffective methods, like sleep, as a prevention against pregnancy. Seriously, have these people ever been to a doctor?
Bake Sales
Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Education forbade public schools from hosting bake sales…because, you know, cupcake fundraisers are basically deadly.
High Fives
Earlier this summer, an Austrial school banned high fives, hugging, or playing basketball or football. Students caught doing any of these activities would be punished with counseling sessions. Wow, way to discourage kids participating in healthy physical activity.
Hugs
A school in New Jersey recently banned hugging after teachers apparently witnessed physical interactions that they deemed "unsuitable." Sounds like some people need a hug!
