WATCH ABOVE: An opinion piece, written by a Grade 12 student, has offended other students. Kendra Slugoski reports.
EDMONTON — An article published June 3 in The PAW, student-run paper, is being slammed for body shaming overweight people.
Written by a male Grade 12 student at Leduc Composite High School, parts of the “10 Commandments of High School” article read:
“If you want to show off your body, you have to earn the right to show it off.”
Roxanne Hunt, a parent of a Leduc Composite High School student, sent excerpts from the article to Global News. She is also raising her concerns with the school.
The seventh commandment is listed as, ‘Thy shalt think for thyself.” Some of the other commandments included working hard, being frugal with money, keeping your friends close and not falling in love in high school. The fifth commandment is to respect all as individuals. It appears to address the judgement of others and considering their value.
“You have no idea what this person is really capable of, or of what worth they may have later in life,” the article reads. “You have no idea what these people will do in the future, so show respect to them, and help them when they need help, and they might just return the favour to you in the future.”
Roxanne’s daughter Kassidy Schneider was particularly offended by the sixth commandment.
“Why is OK for u to judge me and my size when u don’t even know me or who I am?” the Grade 11 student wrote in a response to the article.
“No, I don’t have to EARN my right to rock my curvy beautiful ‘fat’ chubby body the way I want to.
“THY SHALL WEAR WHATEVER THY BEAUTIFUL GIRL WANTS TO AS LONG AS ITS RESPECTFUL!!!!”
Both Roxanne and Kassidy were told a teacher okayed the article.
Another student, who wished to remain anonymous, sent an email to Global News concerned that the original article attacked those who are overweight.
“The school allowed this article to be run in the paper along with posted up around the school despite being a ‘bully free’ school. This is a form of bullying itself,” the student wrote.
In a statement, the Black Gold Regional School Division said:
“LCHS will be reviewing the guidelines for student submissions as well as the editing process to assure that they are sensitive to the core values of the school.
“LCHS will work to still allow for students to make submissions to the student paper once the guidelines have been reviewed.
“Both BGRS and LCHS are committed to providing a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning and working environment that respects diversity and fosters a sense of belonging. Each student and staff member within the Division has the right to learn and work in an environment that promotes equality of opportunity, dignity and respect.”
More to come…
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