The following essay is a description of what happened to a particular group of students (the students who operate this site)  at a school dance. Some terms you may not be familiar with, as they are particular to the region. Footnotes are available.
 

Religious Descrimination at BEHS

     A school is naturally a place where people of many different cultures, races and ethnic backgrounds mix together. It is inevitable that these diverse people will differ in opinions and views. Therefore, the school has set certain guidelines for the students to follow. These rules are set to maintain the peace between students, as well as to promote school safety. So, what happens when these rules are not followed? The answer is summed up in one simple word; choose.

     On October 15th, 1999, many people were victims of religious discrimination at a BEHS school stomp. They were dressed in black, and a few of the students had on make-up that is deemed to be “gothic.” The students were refused admitance to the dance because of their atire. The principal, vice-principal and Brigham City police told these students that it was inapropriate attire for the dance. The students offered to wash the make-up off, however, the school officials did not permitt them to use the bathrooms. Several of the students went outside and washed their make-up off in a spinkler. Still, he was refused admittance. This is justice?
     Is it right to teach the youth of America, that we do not accept people that are “different?” This nation was begun because people had diverse religions, is that not true today? I cannot speak for the entire school, but it is not a crime to wear make-up. Most women wear make-up everyday. Would they be denied admittance to a stomp? What if pink is a color that offends me? Can the person wearing pink be denied admittance to the stomp so I don’t have to look at he/she? There cannot be a standard set on make-up, unless it is no make-up at all.
     The students were refused admittance to the stomp because of apperence. There is a word for this; discrimination. Would you not feel cheated, hurt, and betrayed if somebody told you that you could not work at a certain place because you had brown eyes? This is how these students feel.
     These people have been continually verbally and physically abused by their peers. They have endured this living hell for too long now, and are beginning to stand up for themselves.
     These people stick together, because there is safety in numbers. The harsh words of a tormenter are not as painful when there is more people to absorb it.  These people are the gothics, wicans, celtics, pagans and various others who choose to believe different. These people have to survive in a state where the domniate religion is LDS. This is no easy task. Racial slurs are spouted out coldly as they walk down the halls. You do not have to accept their ways of life, but you certainly do not need to continually cause them pain.
     The following is quoted from the Box Elder High School beeline.
 “ The Box Elder County Board of Education requires tall of it’s students to adhere to standards that avoid extremes in dress and grooming and further supports the position that parents should oversee the apperence of their children. Dress that causes education disruption will not be allowed. All clothing worn by students must be in good taste, neat and clean. Clothing must not be disruptive to other students’ ability to learn effectively. Any items worn or displayed which detract from the educational environment or which may imply gang or cult membership are not permitted.”

    Dressing in black does not imply bad taste, nor does it disrupt the learning process. Black does not imply gang or cult membership, or insinuate drugs, alcohol or pornography. Black is also not an extreme. Therefore, it should be allowed when it is accompanied by parental consent.
     While school was in session on October 15, 1999, continuous racial slurs and insults were continually hurdled at this particular group of students. When these acts of racism were witnessed or reported to the proper authorities, nothing was done. This is a direct violation of the Safe School Policy located on page 33 of the BEHS Beeline. The students committing the act of racism were not asked to alter their behavior. I ask again, is this justice?
     On the night of October 15, there was a football game attended by this group of students. Immediatly, the insults and racial slurs began to fly. Bottles, cans, whatever was available to throw, was thrown at anybody wearing all black. Small fights began to break out. These fights did not cause as much physical damage as they caused emotional damage. One of the girls was hit in the head so hard that she recieved a concution. Even after awakening, she passed out four other times. This abuse is clearly obvious.
     The administration was alerted as soon as the fights started, yet again, nothing was done.
From the BEHS Beeline:
 “Persons who attend or participate in sporting events or extra curricular activites will maintain acceptable standards of citizenship. Racist or sexist remarks, crude or obscene behavior or language, violence or disregard for school or region rules will cause the individual(s) to loose the privelges of attendance at, or participation in sporting events, or extra curricular activities.”
     Did any of these punishments occur? What would the school board do if that girl had been killed?
 Not one single person can tell me that this is fair. You have probably seen these acts of racism and violence happen, and you have said, “there’s nothing I can do.” There is something you can do; you can care.
     The Box Elder High School administration is guilty of allowing racism to occur in the school environment. Sometimes you have to care. Sometimes a “now stop this,” or a slap on the hand won’t solve it! Sometimes you have to put your foot down and enforce the rules! Prove to the students and parents of Box Elder High School that this school is safe, and that parents can have a clear consience when they send their children off to school.
 We have been taught all of our lives that we are Americans, and that we are free. Are we really free? We used to have freedom of religion, but unless you’re over eighteen and willing to take a risk, you don’t have a choice. We used to have freedom of the press, until it was said that saying somedbody’s name in a public news article that implies they are “bad”, is slander. Is this society communist, or democratic? School uniforms won’t solve it, because there will still be cliques. Stricter gun laws won’t solve it, because when guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. When you make rules, be prepared to enforce them, because unless you enforce the rules, the same acts of disobedience will continue to occur. You can either be a hypocrit and punish criminals that you have made, or you can teach the people from the beginning what is expected, and enforce the rules as they go. Take your pick.
 

* Stomp - this is what dances are called at BEHS
* Bee-Line - the BEHS student handbook