# So I staged a school walkout today... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 24, 2003, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-staged-a-school-walkout-today/163894 "2003-03-24T22:40:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![av8rmike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@av8rmike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/av8rmike)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-staged-a-school-walkout-today/163894/41 "2003-03-26T03:31:09Z")
My freshman year of high school, we staged a walk-out and protest. We made the local news and the papers too. Only difference was, this was protesting the teachers’ union’s policy of selective strikes, when we’d already missed about a week and a half. One more day wasn’t going to matter. Now back to your regularly schedule war protests… ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-staged-a-school-walkout-today/163894/42 "2003-03-26T13:04:04Z")
**Moderator’s Notes:** > [@](#): > > posted by _kanicbird_: I’m sure Sadam Husan apreciates your efforts and sacrifice for him. Are you sure this is what you want to protest? That’s it. I’ve placed **two** notes in _this_ thread, in **addition** to the announcement at the top of the forum. They all ask that members carefully consider their replies to war threads in this forum and not make ones that are inappropriate. Yours is exactly the type of post I’m tyring to keep out of MPSIMS. You should consider this your first official warning. If I find another post from you inappropriate to this forum, your posting privileges may be revoked without further notice. You would be well advised to heed the wishes of the staff in this respect. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-staged-a-school-walkout-today/163894/43 "2003-03-26T13:13:40Z")
**Moderator’s Notes:** I’ve deleted the website listed for **HerMajestyLorna’s** high school. I, and others, are concerned that on that site there are IRL names and photos of minors. ---
**Author:** ![HerMajestyLorna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7cd45c/32.png) [@HerMajestyLorna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HerMajestyLorna)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-staged-a-school-walkout-today/163894/44 "2003-03-26T13:28:44Z")
Thanks, **UnlceBeer**. I will remember that in the future! ---
**Author:** ![peepthis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9d8465/32.png) [@peepthis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peepthis)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-staged-a-school-walkout-today/163894/45 "2003-03-26T13:39:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by HerMajestyLorna \* > **We had lots of signs we had made up. I passed around postcards to our Congressman for people to sign, give back to me, and I’ll mail them.** How many of you are 18 years old? I’d recommend getting teachers and administrators to sign your cards as well, since congressmen are reluctant to care about demographics that can’t vote (or don’t vote – under 25’s are notorious for not voting even when they do turn of age). Maybe make a note in your letter to him that “We know we can’t vote yet; but in a few years we will, and we have long memories.” ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-staged-a-school-walkout-today/163894/46 "2003-03-26T13:59:22Z")
I was teasing you. Good job. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![HerMajestyLorna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7cd45c/32.png) [@HerMajestyLorna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HerMajestyLorna)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-staged-a-school-walkout-today/163894/47 "2003-03-26T14:10:43Z")
Thanks 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-staged-a-school-walkout-today/163894/48 "2003-03-26T14:33:49Z")
Regardless of my opinion of this war, I also applaud **HerMajestyLorna** for taking an organized stand for her principles (not her principals, although I’m sure they weren’t too happy to lose the apportionment money). It’s not like this country is engaged in a war every few weeks, so with a world event this momentus, **Lorna** voiced her opinion in, according to her descriptions, a safe and peaceful way. Plus, regardless of her views on the war, a protest (IMHO) is an excellent edcuational experience. Not only did she have to take a leadership role here, she also had to deal with the naysayers, the apathetic and, of course, the almost inevitable consequences of a threatened suspension. [Kudos](http://www.blaircandy.com/kudgranbarsn.html) to you! ---
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-staged-a-school-walkout-today/163894/49 "2003-03-26T17:10:40Z")
What a waste of time. You’re not going to make a difference- all your going to do is humor yourself into believing you made a change. A group of truant students isn’t going to change this war. You’re not raising awareness. You’re grandstanding. ---
**Author:** ![Spit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/76d3ee/32.png) [@Spit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spit)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-staged-a-school-walkout-today/163894/50 "2003-03-26T17:26:57Z")
Knowing Charlottesville like I do, I would have to say your little charade was not all that big of a deal. I am truly surprised that you could only muster 250 students. :eek: OTOH, it gives me hope for the youth of that area…They aren’t quite as nuts as I had previously thought. [sub]And that was my 1000th post- Brought to you by peace, love, and a lot of bullets throughout history.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-staged-a-school-walkout-today/163894/51 "2003-03-26T17:33:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Incubus \* > \*\*What a waste of time. You’re not going to make a difference- all your going to do is humor yourself into believing you made a change. A group of truant students isn’t going to change this war. > > You’re not raising awareness. You’re grandstanding. \*\* I’m not speaking for **Lorna** , but I don’t think she expected the war to be stopped by her (and her group’s) actions. Why, according to a previous post in this very thread, **Lorna** said: > [@](#): > > a) I do not think this has “absolutely no effect.” I have hundred of postcards I am going to send to my Congressman. We raised awareness in our community and school. Besides, why do you equate standing up for one’s beliefs with grandstanding? ---
**Author:** ![Calliope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Calliope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calliope)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-staged-a-school-walkout-today/163894/52 "2003-03-26T17:33:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Incubus \* > \*\*What a waste of time. You’re not going to make a difference- all your going to do is humor yourself into believing you made a change. A group of truant students isn’t going to change this war. > > You’re not raising awareness. You’re grandstanding. \*\* To you, I quote: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world: indeed it’s the only thing that ever has!” ~Margaret Meade ---
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-staged-a-school-walkout-today/163894/53 "2003-03-26T18:16:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SkipMagic \* > \*\* > > Besides, why do you equate standing up for one’s beliefs with grandstanding? \*\* Because standing up for one’s beliefs shouldn’t involve media coverage. Nor should it involve coercing people into ditching class. All this is doing is preaching to the converted. ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-staged-a-school-walkout-today/163894/54 "2003-03-26T18:24:34Z")
It shouldn’t involve media coverage? Why not? The media is an effective way of getting your message passed along. I mean, if you’re going to remove the media from your definition of “Acceptable Ways to Protest”, why shouldn’t you slide even further down that slippery slope and ban her signed postcards; or why not forbid her to use flyers, too? How _does_ one get his/her message out in your view, **Incubus**? As for coercion: Maybe I read her posts incorrectly, but I don’t think **Lorna** mentioned anything about forcing any other students to join her. My guess is that those who did did so of their own free will. Unless she had a gun. Or a WMD. Dude. How big _are_ those backpacks these days? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![HerMajestyLorna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7cd45c/32.png) [@HerMajestyLorna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HerMajestyLorna)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-staged-a-school-walkout-today/163894/55 "2003-03-26T22:27:12Z")
Sorry you disagree with me, **Incubus**. **Skip** has said most of what I would have to say to you. I will retain my right to free speech regardless of whether or not you think I express it in an effective way. We didn’t coerce anyone into skipping. Everyone was there because they wanted to be. And **Spit** , like I said, our school has 1100 students, so I do think that 250 is a good proportion. Many more students support the anti-war stance, but didn’t walk out for whatever reason. ---
**Author:** ![Tony\_Montana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/278dde/32.png) [@Tony\_Montana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tony_Montana)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2003, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-staged-a-school-walkout-today/163894/56 "2003-03-27T02:15:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by HerMajestyLorna \* > \*\*I will retain my right to free speech regardless of whether or not you think I express it in an effective way. > \*\* Yes your freedom of speech remains intact, just like everyone elses here (USA). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-staged-a-school-walkout-today/163894.md?page=2)