Shelby County Schools needs to acknowledge the damage to Principal Thornes reputation and make sure that students know that his message was both appropriate and right free speech is important in our society. Linda A. Moore covers education, South Memphis and Whitehaven. If you dont know about that, you can Google that or talk to your social studies teacher.. Come out to the Seeds in the Middle Farm Market onsite at Clara Barton HS. Email: mail_hide("212218", "sikesd", 0, "gro.21kscs") If you trust your teacher talk to your teacher about it. Fortunately for Principal Thorne, the First Amendment is on his side and we will not rest until he is reinstated to his job and receives a full apology. The Liberty Justice Center is seeking an unspecified amount in damages. Office Phone: 901-416-4540 Townhall.com is the leading source for conservative news and political commentary and analysis. All Rights Reserved. The school district here, I think, has an obligation to apologize to Mr. Thorne and really to explain to students that what he said was appropriate and right that free speech is important in our society, Suhr said. 1800 Berryhill Rd Cordova, TN 38016 Physical Address: 1800 Berryhill Rd Cordova, TN 38016 Shipping Address: 1800 Berryhill Rd Cordova, TN 38016 Phone: 901-416-4540 Fax: 901-416-4545 Principal Phone: 901-416-2001 AD Phone: 901-416-4540 Grand Division: West Athletic District: 9 County: Shelby Type: Public Enrollment (Actual): 1933 Thornes message to his students is something everyone should take to heart: Be aware, be in the loop as far as whats going on. Im not going to tell you what to think, I just want to help you think, he told students on a video that was later posted on YouTube. Weve got a pretty simple ask: we want Principal Thorne to be not just restored to his job, but restored to his reputation. And not whether or not you agree or disagree with the people being filtered, but can this happen to you one day?. We have to be aware and at a heightened sense. Cordova High School / Homepage - Schoolwires Vision Times tells the world everything about China in today's context. What happens when you do not have dissenting opinions, when you do not have an exchange on competing ideashow do you know if your ideas can stand on their own if there is no marketplace of ideas?, Twitter, Facebook, Google, and Apple, are so powerful, and they have unilaterally made a decision of what you can and cannot see on their platforms, thats a major issue and I want you to understand that. He filed a lawsuit Thursday against the Shelby County Schools Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Joris Ray. All Rights Reserved. Tennessee Principal Barton Thorne was suspended by Shelby County School administrators in January after speaking with his students about the dangers of cancel culture.I want you to understand the problem thats going to face you and your generation if there is no longer a marketplace, a free exchange of ideas, he told them, urging the students to engage in respectful conversations with those who hold differing opinions. Linda A. Moore. 1. Thorne was soon placed on administrative leave by the Shelby County Schools (SCS) and is currently under investigation for professional misconduct.. Copyright 2023 Liberty Justice Center. India Weaver (System Athletic Director) Full-time Teacher, Dustin Sikes (Assistant Coach) Email: mail_hide("208847", "talleyc", 0, "gro.21kscs") Its shocking and disappointing that I was removed from my job for speaking with students about the First Amendment, Principal Thorne said. The principal stressed, however, that his speech was not in support of Trump, or the recently deplatformed social media app Parler, but solely about freedom of speech. Full-time Teacher, Keith Setler (Head Coach) Oct 2001 - Jun 201210 years 9 months. Email: mail_hide("212225", "stinsonf", 0, "gro.21kscs") Office Phone: 901-416-4540 Vice Principal . Learn how your comment data is processed. Full-time Teacher, Antonio Wilkerson (Assistant Coach) Nothing in his video was factually incorrect, or even wrong, but it was simply wrong think; so the Shelby County School system placed him on administrative leave. Thursday Farm Market. Email: mail_hide("215239", "vinsonjr", 0, "gro.21kscs") Full-time Teacher, Member of Division I, Class AA, Region 8, District 16, Charles Cooper (Head Coach) The suit claims he saw it as a teachable moment about Free Speech and the dangers of cancel culture. His message touched on the importance of Free Speech in a democratic society, the lawsuit says, and was in line with Tennessees standards for teaching social studies to high school students and in line with generally accepted civics curriculum.. Office Phone: 901-416-4540 Since the start of the school year, Principal Thorne has spoken directly to students through a weekly video message. The comments he made endorsed no political or religious points of view, and are widely accepted in public education curriculum, including in Shelby County Schools. Many of you have complained that you never see our content in your news feeds. Principal suspended for opposing cancel culture | OpentheWord.org What the Superintendent and School District did was inexcusable, and ILLEGAL. Attorneys first sent a letter to the Superintendent, Director of Professional Standards and General Counsel, but there was no explanation for the continued leave or any movement to reinstate Principal Thorne. Over the last month, attorneys from the Liberty Justice Center have reached out to school officials numerous times to rectify the situation with no success. Full-time Teacher, Tasheba Crane (Head Coach) Apparently, defending free speech is a big no-no in Shelby County Schools. Principal Thorne asked the young people to consider what happens when other groups filter and decide what you can hear and know about. As complaints about big tech censorship grow, calls to regulate it also gain heat. Full-time Teacher. Be aware, be in the loop as far as whats going on. Do not send us confidential information until you speak with us and receive authorization to do so. Office Phone: 901-416-4540 Email: mail_hide("212214", "cartermt", 0, "gro.21kscs") Do not send us confidential information until you speak with us and receive authorization to do so. 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