OPINION -- Part VI: Tinker vs. Des Moines School District (1969)

6. Your own argument. Did you agree or disagree with the ruling. Provide some authority for your argument.

In the case of Tinker vs. Des Moines School District, I believe that the Judges made the right decision to let these children wear the black arm bands. They did not cause any harm. It was also said that there were a few students that made rude remarks toward them outside of classrooms, but these students who wore the black arm bands did not act upon it. They were protesting silently and weren’t disturbing the peace. The Tinkers had every right to express their opinion and how they felt about the Vietnam War. If the Tinkers and others were causing a huge ruckus about the Vietnam War and were doing it on school property, then the school authorities had the right to set rules and regulations about suspending anyone who partook in the event. This case was clearly more than just setting rules and regulations about dress code and inappropriate things people say on school grounds, it was about freedom of speech and whether or not these brave students were protected under it. Girls who wear skirts that show their butt cheeks should be punished for wearing degrading material on school grounds because it could be offensive to others and it would cause a disruption. Wearing black arm bands and just carrying along with school like any normal day doesn’t do anything.