Ranting

[Amemphis]

Anything can be unappropriate when put in the context. I was in computer class today in my spare time after I'd finished the classwork looking at some decks at www.aeclectic.net/tarot and my teacher came up and bitched at me! It was inappropriate, yet next to me kids were looking at rap with profane language in it. I can't look at six watercolored cards. She made me go up to the office. I argued that it was art. And she told them I was looking at stuff about witchcraft. Duh. I'm wiccan. As if the silver pentacle earings didn't announce it. They told me to leave my religion at home. Why should I? Just because they choose to claim ties to a religion yet not carry it with them, thats not my choice. Goddess, I feel like raging. I have a horrible temper.
I hate ignorance. Well this is what I have to say to them. :razz:

[mol]

Unfortunately this comes from a little bit of cultural bias which will only be healed by time. Keep your head up.

[MistOfTheSea86]

Keep your head high. I also find that when people yell at you for this it is best to laugh your @$$ off. No matter how offended you are. I mean come one, it is ridicoulous how ignorant some people are. I guess it's true. Ignorance is bliss;)

[TheWordWitch]

..... is why Tarot is inappropriate at your school, but profane language, the encouragement of killing police officers and the sexual exploitation of women (the stereotypical topics found in RAP music) IS appropriate???

The problem with today's schools is that they continue to dismiss the rights of students as disposable.

[MammaStar]

What Mol & Mist said, Keep your head up. And be vocal about your rights as well, but in a calm manor.

It's a shame that those who educate (not all by of course) fail to educate themselves. They just assume, which we all knows what happens when you ASSUME!

[Adrenaline Junkie]

Yet, our schools claim they're accepting of religion. Yet most of what I see is discrimination and an emphasis on Christian morals and events.

It's not that I'm opposed to Christianity, it's the hypocrisy of the schools and education boards I'm opposed too.

[Amemphis]

I actually go to a school for kids who have been in fights or caught with drugs or something else to get suspended for more than five days. The majority are black. All the teachers but on are black, and theres two white girls. Both who read tarot cards and one is me. I couldn't believe it. And the teacher said it was wrong to look at "Witch's" stuff. Then back in class she talked about her gospel music. And another one of the teachers tell the students her classroom is a 'Religious' classroom. I'm forced to write about Santa Claus and what Christmas means to me.

I don't think its fair to have preaching about Jesus and Him and Lord and whatever else, but not let me look at Art.

[Pheonix]

Well it could just be that i am a protester at heart but I say take it to the school board. All religions or no religions should be accepted. Unless you are going to a catholic school there is no reason for religious descimination.

But like I said maybe I can get carried away sometimes and this is just my opinion of course

Brightest Blessings, and good luck

Pheonix

[Scipeno]

I had the same experance when I was in high school a few years back. I got in trouble for looking up info on wicca. My teachers called my parents and told them I was a satanist because of it. All you can do sometimes is drive on and not let them get you down. As for the Christmas essay you may want to write it on the seperation of church and state. LOL

[Amemphis]

Bah. Christmas in general bugs the heck out of me. My parents know Im wiccan and are decently supportive. Except about me joining the local wiccan church.

[Kahlan]

I went to school in a very bad school system. My locker was broken into , my BOS burned, and a letter left saying burn witch burn..YET I was attacked by the school system for being wicca! I was also in the school art program, and most of my artwork was taken out of shows because it wasn't, "fitting a schools standards". My artwork was my exploring meanings in Tarot cards, and dragons you know that kinda stuff. Mine was banned, but pics of zombies, bloody body parts and sexual artwork was shown freely!
Looking back I have to laugh at the stupiedy, but when you are going threw it its hard. Rant all you want if you keep it inside it only makes it worse!!! Then go visit the Just Silly link and have a good laugh!!!!!!:D

Blessed Be,
Kahlan

[mato]

but I was too scary to approach so I was left alone until they could bring me down. It wasnt funny, they thought that because I was looking up stuff one wicca and paganism that I was going to do something terrible. Worse yet some one (a teacher possibly because from their tone it was serious more so than just kid bs) started all sorts of rumors, one said that I had a gun in my backpack and told them that I was going to 'sacrifice some christians to my lord satan' :eek: emagine my supprise when I was pulled from an assembly and searched for weapons (and penticles, suggestive reading material, sharp objects, electronics, they were stretching to find some reason to hold me until the assembly was over!) with neither parental permission nor assumed consent. I was told that my school work would be subject to review and that if anything suggestive was found I was going to jail on their assumption. All this because I looked up Goddess online, hung out in the religious section of their lib., wore black, and thought! My gods they didnt let up the whole year, towards the end I decided that instead of facing another year in which I would have been arrested (as this was a threat called into my house at the end of the school year, one of many) and charged with bs that would have taken us three years to clear up (the time of school left for me) that I would rather be home schooled... The final straw was when I heard "Hey Satan Worshiper!" yelled accross a field from some one I couldnt see.

The funny thing was when they finally decided to look over my shoulder it was while I was in a catholic website, a computer network malfunction deleted all the history so all they saw was a rosary and that is what they were carrying on about, as they didnt have any paper records (I did, I think I still have a box or two of computer print outs that I made while in school :devil: ). Shoot towards the end of my freshman year I spent mondays and fridays in the office on some stupid rumor. All anger aside if I had handled it differently I would have spent a night in jouvy or worse, so calm is the key, either that or being big and scary a combo works best.

Oh I graduate this year so congrates to me! I am royaly screwed though cause I have to take a GED thing or an Ability to Contribute and spend two years on college probation, which sucks... I should sue! :lol: sad thing is I am too poor to sue... Racist bastards, I can get them on discrimination, I was the only one there with out blonde hair blue eyes! I was siingled out because of my native american haritage! (I was actually, jokes of 'red skin' were heard, I once heard a joke about both my homosexuality and my race, I was called 'pink', ah well selective anger I guess... I have to choose when I should be offended and at what... What a tangled mess...)

[Myst]

Highschool is crap.

Trust me, one day you'll look back and shake your head wondering why you cared what those cretins thought. It's only 4 years.

[Flaire-FireStar]

Students at HS's are so stereotypical, although mine wasn't as bad as your's are. In my Gr. 9 year, I met 1 Wiccan, and it was just nice enough to share a table with her in cooking class (at the back of the classroom).. That year, people were also starting to taunt me (etc.) about me always wearing all black (I still do...they're more accepting now, I guess). Of course, some of the comments made were "You witch" or something along that line, I can't remember what it was exactly. I just replied to them "Uh huh.. ", turned around, and went back to my work.
I didn't do much in the next year, but last year (Gr. 11), I did a presentation on Tarot cards, in a class where I knew that lots of the people were christians. Although I didn't recieve any comments on the presentation, I'm sure it was because my teacher was okay with it (she said after that she read them or something like that after)..
But now, I'm doing correspondance for my Gr. 12 year (being in that HS was too stressful for me and I kept getting sick), although I think I might have to go back to do my IT 12 course, after all the people from my grade have already graduated - it's basically like starting all over again.

But being calm through all the crap they put you through will help you through HS.. (A kid will stop teasing another if the second doesn't react to the first's taunts)

[MistOfTheSea86]

Originally posted by Myst
Highschool is crap.

Trust me, one day you'll look back and shake your head wondering why you cared what those cretins thought. It's only 4 years.

I have to disagree, I think highschool is the most amazing experience a teenager could ever have. It's when most of the "Experimentation" Starts and when you finally start to web that thing called life together:)

IMHO:)

[Myst]

*insert hysterical laughter here*

[Xander67]

Originally posted by Myst
Highschool is crap.

Trust me, one day you'll look back and shake your head wondering why you cared what those cretins thought. It's only 4 years.

I could not agree more!

I had a terrible experience in High school

and I was glad when I graduated, I was FREE!

and the next day, I was happy, and then a few years later I had ran into a few of my former classmates,
and they were very nice to me and apologetic blah blah blah

and I was like, I cant believe they worried about it, I was not even thinking about what they did to me LOL

[mato]

Originally posted by MistOfTheSea86


I have to disagree, I think highschool is the most amazing experience a teenager could ever have. It's when most of the "Experimentation" Starts and when you finally start to web that thing called life together:)

IMHO:)

I must agree with myst as well :rotfl: My favorite quote relating to hs "they will be the best four years of your life if your life is very short." Heard from the librarian the principle the vice principle almost all of my teachers and a few family members. and it is true, hs is bs.

[MistOfTheSea86]

I guess I must be crazy then!:D

[Xander67]

no MISTofthe sea you were just fortunate enough to have a great high school experience, I would have loved to have that, but hey things happen for a reason LOL

[Adam Of Avalon]

First off, I'd like to say, thank The Gods I go to a Performing Arts school. The atmospere is one of acceptance and I'm having a blast. Some of my friends are Pagan. (Although, we do have some of those hokey little 'Craft'-mongers. :crylaugh: )

Second and last, everyone thinks that High School is the living end. You go at the peak of your life, graduate and you're over the hill. I can sometimes fall into that, but my mother shakes me to reality. For instance, I'm on winter vacation as we speak, and I'm watching "the Princess Diaries", this Disney movie about a high school nerd who finds out she's royalty and flies to Europe with Julie Andrews. By the end of the film I had had a complete paradigm shift from two weeks ago when I was enveloped in lowly high school matters.

Anywho, my point is this, you may have a great high school experience, you may find out who you are and where you fit in. However, beyond that and even college (Don't get me wrong. I'm still looking forward to getting laid. :devil: ) there is a whole world that dwarfs high school.

[~**foxglove**~]

I agree with the 'High School's awful' sentiment. I cannot say I have, or am, enjoying it. But, it is a learning experience. Your entire life, you are going to have to find the means to exist with a great variety of people, and unfortunately that includes the hypocritical, tunnel visioned halfwits as well! hehe!

I'm sorry for what happened to you, Amemphis, but I suppose this is one of those 'things' that happens, it's society, and regardless of how tolerant we think we are, humans will always clash in certain ways. It's just a matter of learning how to either combat it or deal with it.

In regards to my experiences, well, I have never been the popular type, in fact, I have always been the plain, quiet girl with maybe one or two friends. Not to mention 'odd' in the eyes of most! I was, and to a certain degree, still am, very shy, but my opinions on conformity have always made me a bit different by choice, and this has always made me a target in one way or another. Easy prey, and so forth. But regardless of the teasing I have gone through, I'm not afraid to stand on the outside. I'm proud to be there. With it, I've learnt just to ignore others of that type. Perhaps I'm using a sort of arrogance to combat it, I don't know... but my attitude is, if I don't respect their opinions, then how can I be offended by what they say?

Try not to let people like your teacher frustrate you, Amemphis, because it's not worth it at all. Take care!! :)

[MistOfTheSea86]

Originally posted by Adam Of Avalon
First off, I'd like to say, thank The Gods I go to a Performing Arts school. The atmospere is one of acceptance and I'm having a blast. Some of my friends are Pagan. (Although, we do have some of those hokey little 'Craft'-mongers. :crylaugh: )

Second and last, everyone thinks that High School is the living end. You go at the peak of your life, graduate and you're over the hill. I can sometimes fall into that, but my mother shakes me to reality. For instance, I'm on winter vacation as we speak, and I'm watching "the Princess Diaries", this Disney movie about a high school nerd who finds out she's royalty and flies to Europe with Julie Andrews. By the end of the film I had had a complete paradigm shift from two weeks ago when I was enveloped in lowly high school matters.

Anywho, my point is this, you may have a great high school experience, you may find out who you are and where you fit in. However, beyond that and even college (Don't get me wrong. I'm still looking forward to getting laid. :devil: ) there is a whole world that dwarfs high school.

Wow I go to a performing High School as well!

[Adam Of Avalon]

That's fabulous! What are you studying?

(Note: I would have PMed you, but I think everyone's interested now!)

[Twig]

I humbly invite your teacher HERE to see what WE are about! :D :cool:

Peace,
Twig
:elf:

[Adam Of Avalon]

Heh. I couldn't imagine the reaction!

[Siren]

Yup, that seems mighty unfair...but, there is still major ignorance about religions throughout most places....luckily, in Canada, Wiccan is a "government recognized religion"...so it is "legal" to celebrate it...lol...

which can help, that way, no hassles at school, no hassles with CAS when you have children....it works a bit bettter....

but there is still personal biases....i had some mighty odd teachers (mainly before highschool....my hs was actually quite unbiased...i think they had more issues with other things like gangs, violence and drugs...and religion--any religion--was welcomed...as long as no one was hurt).....

why don't you offer her some books or poetry about pagan related topics....try sneaking in things that aren't obviously pagan....that's always fun to do...*grin*

"the" (the biased people) get confused when they find out that it is pagan related.....

[MistOfTheSea86]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Adam Of Avalon
That's fabulous! What are you studying?

(Note: I would have PMed you, but I think everyone's interested now!) [/QUOTE

Since it is high school there is not really a specific field, but what I am mostly interested in is Literature and Theatre:)

[Xander67]

hey Invite him /her anyhow, you NEver know ...

theater and literature that is great..good luck to you both!

kindred spirits of pagan paths are usually drawn to the arts so you knever know...I guess there are ways of bringing it up (subtly) without being obvious, (sometimes the safe aproach ) even wearing a mytical symbol, not necciarily an obvious one like a pentacle, perhaps an ankh or celtic cross...to see who is curious and asks about it.........

not meaning we should hide in the shadows but just trying to avoid offending anyone or gettin ppl discriminated against

[AradiaSupernova]

I'd have to really disagree with you MistsOftheSea. I'm home schooled and this is my senior year. I haven't missed a thing and I'm really glad I'm missing it. just my input :)

[flar7]

High School, the memories... Me making a list. oh how sweet,
buying my first 30-06 with scope. And then picking out that just
right clock tower. Precious memories, how they linger...heheh

The only really good thing about high school that I can remember,
is at least it was sort of a free ride! No work, no bills, only
teenage problems. That and the alcohol fests. Mind killing good
times.

College is a little better, but still doesnt prepare you for the
"real" world.

[Xander67]

I dont think any amount of schooling could prepare anyone for the real world as we know it today.....well mabey Hogwarts school of wizardry and a year or so on pluto!

[Lilith Rain]

But maybe he/she said you should leave it at home because they don't want you to get hurt byt those who would seek to make a point of giving you hell about being a witch.

They may have said that to protect you from the comments of other people who aren't as educated in what we are.

i'm not saying you should be ashamed of what you are. I would never say that. Be Proud to be what you are but watch who you say it to. Many people don't want to accept the fact that witches exsit, which is :( but you can't force people to accept us. That isn't our way.

Though I don't understand why she didn't hall up the guys next to you for the profanity they were looking up. Is that more acceptable than us?

I don't think so.

http://www.geocities.com/ghost_mage_88/LoveRibbon.gif

[Amemphis]

HS has its good and bads. Taunting is a part of life experienced from day one. But you'd think since christian's are supposedly taught to have brotherly love and be like a man who welcomed all walks of life and sinners they'd be a little more open minded. In my own opinion, I think Jesus would be wiccan now days.

[Myst]

I think I got harassed about everything BUT my religion in highschool.

[Rain Warrior]

The same with me.
While I have been smtimes been asked about my clothes and why I overlook "suspicious" web pages and a few times being asked what pentacle and svastik meant to me and if it wasn't satanic or connected with Nazis.
Noting more. No abuse from this side.

But we are quite a pagan country here, so noone[ok almost noone] says "burn in hell, satan.



I was yesterday going in a bus from my Taekwon-Do training and was talking to friends about Afganistan and all. One woman interfiered and said tht armagedon comes we shall destroy ourselves and tht we all should be ready to meat the lord. When I explained my views and attitude to Christianity and said tht I was with Dievturi[official name for Latvian pagans], her face changed, eyes turned out.
She wanted to give me some buclets about Christ and thought tht I was teasing her, she couldn't beleive tht. I love discussions and talked with her all way till home. I disproved many things tht she said about religions and all tht. She started to look stupid. All people beside were laughing during. Some even said tht it was cool being pagan[some 11th or 12th class girls I think]. Why I don't think tht "cool" is the right way to describe paganism, but it is good tht people do not think bad about it here and most agreed to all my arguments. When I walked out of the buss, there was still alot of fun going in there. I wish now I had stayed till the final stop. I love discussions.

this was a little out of topic, but I think tht this shows tht in Latvia we have no such problems as in US considering paganism.
Good Luck!

[StormChaser]

Assuming that this is a public school you can essentially tell them to go to hell.

I would go back to the office at a later date and explain that while you accept responsibility for looking at "unrelated" materials the comments regarding leaving your religion at home are uncalled for as well as very unconstitutional. Other kids are allowed to embrace *quite legally as upheld by the supreme court* their religions in school, wearing crosses, star of david(s), wearing shrouds, there is no reason to which you could not take your school officials to court and win easily for the attempt of denying you rights simply because of their ignorance and bias.

http://members.tripod.com/~skyhawk13/rights1.html
http://members.tripod.com/~skyhawk13/cases.html
http://www.mit.edu:8001/activities/safe/home.html

A lot of teens experience this problem. If we all did our part to broach the subject respectfully and with wisdom, we can really begin to make a dent in the problem, which is mostly ignorance of the law, and of the faith.

Yes, keep your head up, but don't take the back seat. If we all only sit back and let it wash off our backs, never doing anything about it, nothing will get done. The bias and discrimination will continue, and it will worsen. So if you can.. take the matter up with them directly.

[ruadh]

I went to an all girl's Catholic school growing up and while I was Catholic at the time, it was still rough. If it isn't one thing, it is another. Don't let the ignorance of others get you down. I am an elementary school teacher who is somewhat new to the path but I am open about it to my coworkers (some who are born again) and they really don't care. They are true practitioners of their beliefs and they see me for the person that I am and they know I love my job and the kids so they have never said a word about my beliefs.
Anyway, when you get out of high school and go to college or the work force, you will find the only people who are going to give you crap are fruity nutcakes, (but we have them in paganism too). Most folks are too concerned with their own lives to care whether or not you worship the Goddess or a head of lettuce.

[Rain Warrior]

quote-Most folks are too concerned with their own lives to care whether or not you worship the Goddess or a head of lettuce.

TRUE! burning times is a thing of the past

WHAIT ! do you smell smthing?!?!

[looks outa the window]

fck! some crazy monks
makeing fireplace with a stick in the middle on the street.
will go and find what's the matter.
maybe some cool new ritual
yust'll take my wand


sorry I have a very vivid fantasy.

[Kian]

Since your parents are basically supportive of you Amemphis, have you thought about having *them* talk to the officials? Sometimes just having it come from an adult can change someone's mind. And then if they choose to single you out then your parents can take them to court. The ACLU would LOVE the chance to go at this school and *they* will take care of the costs...

[StormChaser]

Kian: You a card carrying aclu member type person too?

They really don't need to, all you have to do is go to aclu.org and find a case similar to yours *they exist and have been won* and slam a packet of cases down infront the mentioned officials and watch thier color drain.

[Amemphis]

Blah. Its not that big a deal really. Next year I'll be at a Prefoming and Visual Arts school to major in Photography. The kids call it Artsy day care and it'll be fun.

[Kian]

I used to not be that fond of the aclu but things change! :)

Amemphis (gets in to civil rights supporter mode) if you were to do that... just plunk down on their desk cases similiar to yours... well maybe the next wiccan kid or *any* non christian kid won't have to worry about asinine teachers and school officials. However, that being said you have to do only as much as you want to, cos I can empathize with not wanting to make yourself even more *unique* if you get my drift.

Best of luck to you in whatever you do :)

[TheTheologin]

Originally posted by Pheonix
Well it could just be that i am a protester at heart but I say take it to the school board. All religions or no religions should be accepted. Unless you are going to a catholic school there is no reason for religious descimination.

But like I said maybe I can get carried away sometimes and this is just my opinion of course

Brightest Blessings, and good luck

Pheonix


I'd have to agree with Pheonix. I would take it to the Super Intendant of the school. Explain how you were treated unfairly. What you were veiwing is concidered art, what the other students were viewing is concidered profane and discusting.

[Myst]

Originally posted by TheTheologin
What you were veiwing is concidered art, what the other students were viewing is concidered profane and discusting.

Actually, technically both were art.

[StormChaser]

Originally posted by Amemphis
Blah. Its not that big a deal really. Next year I'll be at a Prefoming and Visual Arts school to major in Photography. The kids call it Artsy day care and it'll be fun.

Kian is right, and it is a big deal.
Don't fool yourself in thinking that this one instance is nothing and that there is no reason to act, and act now. There is a very real reason.

Issues like this whether they are let to slide, or something is done about, can have a magnificent impact.

If you took the 5 to 15 minutes it may take *seriously, it could be JUST that long*, to talk to the super intendent, or other officials you will..

For yourself:
1. Be taking a pro-active stand for yourself.
2. State that you are not willing to let others take your rights away.
3. Be asserting yourself as someone who is not a secondary citizen.
4. You will be honor your faith by standing up for what you believe as well as what is right and just.

For your direct community:
1. you let others know they have the power, the right, and the obligation to act when they see injustice, and change that which is unjust and obsolete in thought and in act.
2.you open up doorways to others repressed
3. you prevent further incident of this kind and possibly others by helping to put an end to ignorance.

Far reaching community:
1. Your case serves as an example for other cases.
2. Your "win" or "attempt" becomes a recognizable part of helping aid the greater cause: ending hate, bias and prejudice.
3. You promote others to be pro-active.

Globally:
You help promote PLUR
Peace, Love, Unity and Respect.


It's ripples in the water, you can start something that will have effects far beyond your wildest notion if you but try...
If you don't try, nothing happens.. but when the water doesn't run.. it does turn stale.

If you don't believe me these are singular people who stood up, maybe you'll recognize their names. Jane Roe (*Norma McCorvey* from) Roe Vs. Wade, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr. I'm sure you can think of many many more.. these were normal citizens who just happened to start saying "No, it's not nothing." "No, I refuse to stand when I wish to sit or vice versa." "Yes, it does matter." "These are my rights, I want them. Correct, No! These are my rights, and you WILL respect them."

~Storm Chaser.

[StormChaser]

Originally posted by Myst


Actually, technically both were art.

What she said.