Jessica shouldn't have had to go through that. A 16-year-old girl shouldn't have to be shunned and mocked, have her safety threatened, and have an entire town turn against her because her school was breaking the law. This shouldn't have had to happen.
In the first place, she should have been able to go to a school that respecter her rights. But it's not just her school.
Bastrop High School in Louisiana held an unconstitutional prayer during their graduation ceremony, outcasting non-Christians at a day that all the students should have been included and respected at. In addition, teachers at that school publicly insulted Damon Fowler, an atheist student who stood up against the prayer. Even when he legally won his case, the school had a student throw in the prayer instead of a teacher during the ceremony so they could try to get away with it, and by the time she started speaking there was nothing anyone could do. And during his struggle, Damon was kicked out of his house for fighting for his rights as a non-Christian and his rights to the secular public education the Constitution guarantees. Kicked out of his home, teachers denouncing him, and students bullying him because his school was breaking the law.
Discrimination against non-Christian groups (especially atheists and Muslims) is unbelievably common pretty much everywhere. But the amount of it that exists in public schools is especially disgusting.
So yes. To begin with, her school shouldn't have been doing it. But it gets worse than that.
From the second Jessica Ahlquist began to fight for her rights, her entire community lashed against her. Students at school shun her. She has been receiving hate mail constantly. Facebook groups were created to mock and insult her. And since she won her case, it's only gotten worse.
Her home address was posted online, putting her and her family in danger. Jessica's main response to this is worry over her family. She posted a statement saying, "My home address was posted in the comments on a projo website. I have little siblings and a sick mother. You cannot be serious." To which, of course, dozens of the "loving Christians" who hate her responded with things like, "hahhahaha!" "serves u right BITCH," and more.
Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites have been igniting with comments about her.
"your home address posted online i cant wait to hear about you getting curb stomped you ****ing worthless c***."
"definelty laying it down on this athiest tomorrow anyone else?"
"u little brainless idiot, hope u will be punished, you have not won shit! Stupid little brainless skunk!"
"shes not human shes garbage"
"Fuck Jessica alquist I'll drop anchor on her face"
"Let's all jump that girl who did the banner #fuckthatho"There's more here.
Other messages (most of which are deleted soon after posting) call for her to be raped and murdered.
Local police have now gotten involved, since they feel many of the threats break the Safe School Act and could actually lead to Jessica, or her family, being hurt.
I love that she stood up against her school. I love what she was fighting for. I love that she was able to stay strong against all the hatred that came her way. But the fact that the situation existed in the first place is unacceptable. And the response to Jessica fairly and legally winning this case is absolutely disgusting. I feel sick.
And I really wish I could say this was surprising. I wish I could honestly say I didn't expect this level of hatred and backlash. But of course this was going to happen. People hate us. People in America rate atheists as less trustworthy than rapists. Coming out as atheist is often more traumatic for people than coming out as gay. And we're blamed for our anger, too.
"You should get over it," is always the response we get when we're marginalized and discriminated against. "A prayer banner isn't that big of a deal, you should put up with being isolated." "It's your fault you're getting rape threats. How dare you fight for your rights." "How can you be even mildy irritated with things like 'Under God' in the pledge? Christians should be able to put their religion wherever they want it, how dare you want everyone included equally." (Yes, I'm sarcastic here. But it's what these statements mean. 'Just shut up, you should let the religious groups have what they want and ignore your rights.')
It gets old. Because it's always the response. "It's not a big deal that the prayer banner is there." "It's not a big deal you have to mock-pray during pledges." "It's not a big deal that many organizations discriminate against atheists, it's their choice." "It's not a big real that religions get special exemptions, like not being taxed and being above the ADA act."
And if one of us says something about it, it's the same thing. "What the fuck!" "You're so arrogant!" "Can't you just deal with having religion shoved in your face?" "More people are Christian than atheist, so you should shut up!" "How dare you bring up your constitutional rights!"
And then it turns violent. Like always. "Fuck you bitch!" "I hope someone beats you up." "I can't wait to get my hands on you." "Maybe we should rape you and fuck you up, that'd teach you!" "Fucking arrogant atheist bitch. You deserve to be murdered. Rot in hell."
And no, not an exaggeration. I've had all of those things said to me (with atrocious spelling, though). And yeah, I'm pretty forward and outspoken and debate-oriented. But I've never done anything. So imagine what Jessica Ahlquist must be getting for actually taking this to court and winning.
I love Jessica Ahlquist. I will forever idolize her and strive to be like her. At 16, she is a more influential person than I will ever be. I love that she fought for her rights and everyone else's. I love that she took a stand when she saw that something was wrong.
But this whole situation is vile. She should have been able to have a normal life. High school is hard enough. She doesn't need exclusion, hatred, and threats to make it even worse.
And I'm scared for her. I wouldn't be surprised if things got physical. It wouldn't be the first time.
Thank you Jessica. As I said before (and as you already know), you weren't just fighting for yourself.
Fuck everything that made you go through this.
---
Help support Jessica on Facebook and Twitter!
Friend her on Facebook or join the group "Support the Removal of the Cranston High School West Prayer"
On twitter, retweet "I stand with @jessicaahlquist!
You can also donate to a scholarship fund for Jessica started by TheFriendlyAtheist
No comments:
Post a Comment