A 14-year-old boy from Franklin Township, Pa., which is near Pittsburgh, has been expelled from school for more than a year for writing rap lyrics the school authorities deemed threatening and harassing. That has prompted the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania to file a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against Riverside School District.
The Beaver County Times reports that Anthony Latour was expelled for writing rap lyrics that made references to shooting up his school, police officers and teachers. School officials found out about the lyrics which Latour wrote himself--but never brought to school--last April. They expelled him for the remainder of the school year, as well as the upcoming school year. In a news conference on Wednesday, Latour said, "I just want to go back to making my music."
Latour's legal counsel, Kim Watterson, says the boy's rap lyrics were misunderstood by school officials. She said he participates in something called "battle rap" in which two rappers communicate through lyrics in a kind of verbal "jousting" to determine who is the better rapper, reports the Beaver Valley Times. The four songs that resulted in the expulsion were never brought to school and some of the lyrics were never even written down; however, Latour sold CDs containing the songs. The principal admitted that the songs did not cause problems in school. Anthony's father, John Latour, said his son was never asked about the meaning of the lyrics or if he intended to carry out violent acts.
Meanwhile, in a news release the ACLU said "School officials are not parents, and the First Amendment limits their authority to control what students read, write, rap or listen to in their own homes." Watterson said in the news release, "Many people don't like or understand rap music, and some people won't like Anthony's lyrics. But since these songs do not contain what's known in the law as 'true threats,' school officials and local police cannot make the music a crime simply because they find the lyrics offensive."

I've read this and it's a crock of shit. This country is quickly becoming a nation of victims. "Political correctness" is killing creativity in our youth. "You can't do this, you can't say that, you might offend someone." Bullshit. People need to grow the hell up, develop a spine, grow some thicker skin and get over it!

Just because this kid is writing rap lyrics, they expel him. Have the school officals never listened to any rap before? I saw another article on this and they printed some of his lyrics. No overt threats, just the usual rap posturing. And they even admit that there was no disruption at school and no direct threats.

I hope his parents sue the school district's collective asses off!

This is bullshit. Still, even though it was rap, i bet it didn't sound nearly as bad as Knife the Puppets.

The price of free speech is going up.

god Save the Queen!

In 1992 when I was still a student at Seymour Middle School
My friend was kicked out for three weeks for writing the lyrics
to 'Rape Me' in his composition book .We were at lunch so it wasn't as if he was ignoring the teacher or anything like that .This
dumb preppy girl was being nosy & looked from three seats down into his composition book;which in my opinion was quite a strain
for her to see.She then, after lunch period was over, went directly to the office and informed the principal of what he had written .Stating that she was frightened & a bunch of other b.s.
That has always bothered me that (that) happened .Later on in school his sketchbook,which was for his art class,was
confiscated & never returned it to him or his mother,becuase they thought his art was too graphic.
Goes to show things never change in regards to the system & that they are only getting worse for our children & generations to come.Not many people understand why I am opposed to sending my daughter to school next year for kindergarten.That & the story posted are some of the reasons why I feel as I do.I was told today by a co-worker that children ,of any age , are now forbidden to touch anyone at anytime (in any way) Though that can be a good rule to enforce due to violence and unwanted annoying or sexual advances ... I think it's a bit silly.My daughter is very affectionate.If some child were to get hurt while she was around she would stroke their hair or the hurt place and tell them it was okay.My co-worker also said her 5 year old was suspended for hugging a classmate when she was crying.Christ ! Suspending five year olds for being considerate of others feeling ... What next?!?

Silent Huntress wrote: People need to grow the hell up, develop a spine, grow some thicker skin and get over it!

Personnaly I believe they should re-release Lawn Darts to make for a stronger more life appreciative society.


My two cents.

Our freedomz hav been & r being further daily revoked, yes .... Now, wtf r we gonna do about it?!


... how about u there n the back ...

... Hell, n-e-1? ...

The Stormstress wrote:Our freedomz hav been & r being further daily revoked, yes .... Now, wtf r we gonna do about it?!


... how about u there n the back ...

... Hell, n-e-1? ...

I'm going to drink. That'll fix 'em.

LOL ... That'll sho 'em!

scarecrow wrote:

Silent Huntress wrote: People need to grow the hell up, develop a spine, grow some thicker skin and get over it!

Personnaly I believe they should re-release Lawn Darts to make for a stronger more life appreciative society.


My two cents.

Fuck yea!!! You could always tell who didnt like there kids because they gave them lawn darts.."Here Timmy take these large metal spikes and your brother outside...Throw the spikes in the air in his direction..but remeber safety first!...I thought my mom and dad were trying to fuckin kill me!!

arg this is crap......

punkrockjoe wrote:

scarecrow wrote:

Silent Huntress wrote: People need to grow the hell up, develop a spine, grow some thicker skin and get over it!

Personnaly I believe they should re-release Lawn Darts to make for a stronger more life appreciative society.


My two cents.

Fuck yea!!! You could always tell who didnt like there kids because they gave them lawn darts.."Here Timmy take these large metal spikes and your brother outside...Throw the spikes in the air in his direction..but remeber safety first!...I thought my mom and dad were trying to fuckin kill me!!

My father bought us two sets....(we lost the darts to the first one) after that he said we could "box" out our differences....bought one set of gloves....and it would always be a fist fight (bareknuckle) to see who got the "right" glove. lmao

I was not aware that what people do, say, or write in the privacy of their own home was any of the schools business. I guess I was wrong. Yet another reason my son is not going to school. While I don't think it's wise of him to write offensive lyrics, if that's how he chooses to voice his creative outlet, I do not mind. I'm not putting him in a school where they will take away all of his rights and ideals, just because they aren't "P.C."