(NewsWorthy.news) – A first grader in California has become the center of a legal battle after she was reprimanded by her school for allegedly inserting racist messaging in a drawing to a classmate.
The young girl, called B.B. in court documents due to her age, reportedly drew a picture for one of her friends, called M.C., on which she wrote “Black Lives Mater [sic]” as well as the words “any life.” M.C. showed the picture to her mother, who reported the incident and got an investigation started to determine if the first grader was engaged in racism.
The school, which is within the Capistrano Unified School District, punished B.B. by prohibiting her from playing at recess for two weeks. B.B.’s mother filed a lawsuit with the federal District Court in the Central District of the Southern Division of California. She argued that her daughter’s First Amendment rights had been violated amid the drama, but the court determined that the school had a right to do what they did.
According to the judge, education systems have to be given a “substantial deference” when deciding “what speech is appropriate.” The ruling added that even rights under the First Amendment are to be “applied in light” of unique educational circumstances. The court further assumed that B.B. intended to “insult” M.C., suggesting her innocent drawing meant to represent the love for her friends of all races could result in a “racially insensitive” environment in her class.
An exclusive interview from June 2022 includes testimony from B.B.’s mother, who alleged that the school principal confronted the girl about the drawing after her friend’s mother contacted the school with her accusations of racist intent. B.B. was then told to apologize for the gift, when on the playground with other students besides M.C. around. Following the apology, B.B. was not allowed to play at recess.
The girl’s mother told RedState that she was not informed about the incident or the school’s punishment. It was only a year after it occurred that she heard about it from another parent.
Copyright 2024, NewsWorthy.news
