Editorial: Stop Silencing the Children

Free speech and expression have been under attack in the U.S. And now, our children have become the latest victims of the wannabe speech suppressors.

Massachusetts — the supposed bluest of states — is no exception, especially when it comes to anti-queer book ban demands, quashing voices critical of Israel's genocidal assault on Gaza or questioning data center construction.

The latest examples of what we believe are suppressive actions against our children were on shameful display in Lowell and Brookline.

Let’s start with Lowell. That’s where a 14-year old student was hauled out of a meeting about data centers in the city. The image in The Sun newspaper of the girl being grabbed by a policeman, along with the accompanying story by reporter Melanie Gilbert, were alarming.

According to the report, the teen stood up to speak after the meeting just ended. She had apparently been raising her hand previously, but never got a chance to talk, according to Gilbert’s reporting.

“I understand that you said that was the last question, but I urge you to please listen to me,” said the girl without a microphone available, according to the article. “You’re free to leave while I speak," she said, "but I am 14 years old…I am the future …”

At that point, a police officer held the girl’s arm and led her out of the auditorium, according to Gilbert. As she was escorted out, the girl was able to utter, “I’m not hurting anyone. We just don’t want data centers.”

True, the teen was ultimately allowed to leave after questioning by police (unlike the farmer at a data center meeting in Oklahoma who was charged with trespassing recently after briefly talking past his time limit).

But, Gilbert writes, after leaving, the girl “immediately broke down shaking and crying.”

How traumatic for a child just trying to politely exercise her right to free speech.

Then we have Brookline. That town’s public schools will begin “formally reviewing” student artwork before going on display in school exhibitions after a supposed outcry over a child’s piece of art that includes what appears to be a small paper Israeli flag pierced with a toothpick, according to the Brookline News and a photo of the work posted online.

According to the report by Sam Mintz, the work was put under “investigation” by the school after an Israeli parent complained about it. It was also slammed by the website StopAntisemitism, which labeled the kid’s art “a vile display.”

The principal of the school where the work appeared reportedly said the investigation into the art “did not find discriminatory intent” and that “Political expression concerning the conduct of nations and governments is student protected speech and is not, in itself, discrimination against any people or ancestry.”

Then, the school principal wrote, according to the article, “Nonetheless, the imagery, as displayed, without context, was reasonably perceived by Jewish and Israeli community members as invoking antisemitic tropes, and caused significant distress.”

Hmm... So, the school found no “discriminatory intent” and rightly agrees that political expression is student-protected speech, but feels the need to apologize for the work’s appearance and will start cracking down on future works — all because some people were offended?

Instead of cowering to criticism or ruling with a heavy hand, our schools, parents and government authorities should be encouraging our children to engage in political speech, to become civically engaged and to learn the art of nonviolent dissent.

That is the American way.