new thread
My newest letter I sent to the ACLU representative. (my name and ACLU representative's name have been replaced with --.
________________________________________________________________
Hello -----,
I thought I ought to let you know that I went to practice today. I was at the chalk talk that comes before a practice and none of the coaches said anything to me. Then, when it was over, I didn't have any equipment (shoulder pads and helmet) to change into, I just waited around.
Sophomore coach, Coach Curry, decided to talk to me. He asked "Are you going to cut your hair?" I replied "no." Then he said "You're not getting any equipment until you cut your hair." He told me that the hair had to be above the shoulders and was motioning to the upper part of the neck. I mentioned that there were people with hair longer than that (I was referring to the former freshman teams star player Nick Lance whose hair is right at his shoulders.) He told me to keep believing that. He also said "I really hope you wouldn't make this an issue. I'd be really disappointed in you." He also told me that tying up my hair wouldn't work, nor would tucking it under a helmet. He went further and said "it's a team rule. You don't see any other member on this team with hair this length."
I asked what his name was, and he said, in a weird way, "Why do you need to know that?" I told him I like to know the names of people I talk to. He said "Well I'm coach Curry." I replied "I'm ------ --------" and raised my hand for him to shake it.
He also told me that I wasn't going to be allowed on there. After I told him I might not be able to leave he said that if I stayed there I wouldn't be allowed on the field without pads, and since I didn't want to stand on the side lines for 2 and a half hours, I left (after asking what time it was and realizing I could make it to my mom's work before she left for home.). He told me that all these practices that Coach Martin said were mandatory, were completely optional. Martin lied, who would ever have guessed that?
Well, I seen the other players while I was leaving, and they asked where I was going. I said the coach told me to leave. they asked why and I said "cause he's a prejudistic jacka$$." I overheard one making his usual threats to cut my hair.
I'm sorry to say but, I'm half-tempted to use Principal Greenwald's excuse against him. When I complained to him last year that students wouldn't quit harassing me he said "well, boys will be boys." I've been tempted to use that against him and to punch out Alex Mcgarity, the one who keeps making threats at me.
Also, I don't think I've mentioned this before, but using a religious excuse is out. i used that in a conversation with Greenwald last year and he told me "Sometimes you have to choose between what you want and what you believe."
I don't know if it is of any use, but I've been talking to various people who know I lot about the school. I've been told that the whole school district is a joke. That all of them are on a power trip and need to be stood up to. Also, that our school paid both Greenwald and Martin A LOT more than they should have so they would come work here. And since Martin has arrived he has not had a winning season. At the school he had previously been working for (Edwardsville High School) he would never have been allowed to make such a rule (when my mother called them, they were appalled at the idea of such a policy.)
I'll try to make that time line that you asked for soon.
till next time,
------ --------
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Any comments/ suggestions welcomed
"He also said 'I really hope you wouldn't make this an issue. I'd be really disappointed in you.'"
The dude's clearly full of himself.
"In a conversation with Greenwald last year and he told me 'Sometimes you have to choose between what you want and what you believe.'"
This is true, but it's crossing a line. There is a difference between not eating meat for religious reasons, and not eating meat because someone else is preventing you from doing so.
~JeffL
If i was you i would tell them why are you ruining my chances of playing football over something so trivial as the length of my hair.
It is pathetic, i would go nuts with the teacher/teachers involved, talk to the head etc. I would even take him to court over something like that. You cannot be told you can't play football because your hair is long, absolutly pathetic!
I have, it is just wasting breath now.
I've talked to the principal, no good. I even got a hold of the superintended. Apparrently he chewed out the school because the next day I got a lecture about breaking the chain-of-command. (also the same day the illinois congressman talked to the school.)
I'd like to take him to court, but my family cannot afford an attourney. I was told our county is on of the most law-suit happy counties in the USA.
Everyone I've talked to both in this city and the neighboring ones have all agreed that the school (and police department for that matter)is a joke. They're all on power trips and all think they can do whatever they want. The funny thing is it was the (now ex)head of the police department who was having an affair with head coach, Coach Martin's wife (which I got in some trouble for for bringing it up.) so the school and the police department don't like eachother much anymore... Don't know where I was going with that.
This is the lamest, sickest, most pathetic thing I can imagine someone who is a school official actually saying. This shows that those against whom you contend practice "moral relativism" - a situational decision based on whatever suits the case so as not to hurt their image and power.
This whole bunch is giving you the "run-around." Are you sure that playing football is worth all this? If you "win" this little battle, you may actually be losing in a greater sense.
That sounds right. One of these days I'd like to post a story my neighbor told me last weekend on why she sent her 9 year-old daughter to live with her grandmother. The principal at the elementary school has done a good job of hiding it if what she says is true.
I know about the run-around. First the coaches said it was Head Coach Martin's rule. When he refused to speak to me, in person or through e-mail, I went to the athletic director. He wouldn't see me unless I talked to Martin first. Eventually I told the secretary I had personal business to talk with Greenwald(athletic director/ principal as of this year) and was allowed in. At first he continued to say it was Martin's rule. Then when I wrote to several people and those people responded, I was brought in and lectured for not following the chain-of-command. During that conversation Greenwald said "we do not want our school represented that way" in reference to my hair. Then they told me it's Martin's rule again after that. Martin has never given me a reason himself. the closest he's ever gotten to doing so is saying "it's my rule."
It probably isn't worth it. As of now though, I'm gonna take a break and let the ACLU do what they think is best. You're right that I might lose if I win. I've thought that a lot myself.
ACLU... Jihad with a law degree..... but in this case I hope they do the RIGHT thing. ;-)
Seriously though.... it's a classic case of a power trip. These coaches must'a all had their asses kicked in high school and now it's payback time. Can they point out the written rules that state long hair is a no-no for football at your school? I've got a feeling lawyers in some way, shape, or form will need to be brought in if you truly want to play. It's a shame what these scumbags are doing here. I wish you luck in your fight but as others have said... can you go all the way and still preserve your integrity?
--
Splat
Yep, I agree with you power trip. There is (was) no written rule, as I've brought up to them numerous times. So much so that they found (made up) a rule in an "old" rulebook, which they refused to allow my parent to read. The rule says that the head coach can recommend a haircut.
My family cannot afford a lawyer, which is why I have to go through the ACLU who have agreed to take my case... it justs seems like its been forever...
My integrity... I've already said things to them I wish I wouldn't have, but that's in the past. I can probably hold on to what I have left however...
thanks for the support
Correct response: I am not making this an issue. You are.
But Lupi, I wonder if you aren't causing yourself more harm putting so much energy into this fray than it is worth. Have you noticed that the older guys here at MLHH have mostly said they'd just walk away from the mess and put all of that energy into a place they are wanted? Have you thought that with football being a contact sport, there will be numerous opportunities to injure you on purpose, and claim it was just part of the game? You could end up injured for life, man.
Stuff to think about.
Bill
ya, I should think about that. The only thing is that in this city you either play a sport for the school or you join a gang and do drugs. There is really nothing else to do here.
It's sad that those are your only options. I don't really have any advice for you, taking it to the ACLU seems to be your best bet. The litigation process takes time, though, so it is unlikely to benefit you, should you prevail. Your only comfort will be that future generations will not have to go through what you have.
I can remember well the a-hole teachers and adminstraters who operated my high school back in the late 1970's. Some of the rules were downright archaic, it sounds like much hasn't changed. I went to a very large suburban school, and we jokingly referred to it as a prison, because you were a number to be warehoused, not an individual.
With all of the doors closing in your face, I'm amazed you have the willpower to seek that open window of opportunity.
Carol
Join an out of school team instead maybe?
I used to be a part of the park leagues soccer team. But the park leagues do not let anyone over the age of thirteen play in their league (unless their birthday was in the middle of the season.) And unfortunately I will be 15 on the 22. It is the city's way of getting players to join the school's teams instead.
That was extremely sound advice. What is worth more to you, a football or perhaps an injury for life?
The only thing you need to do is ignor both of what you have listed above as the ONLY options available in your city and find an activity or hobbie you would enjoy doing by yourself. Make internet friends. Also round-up jobs of various sorts and make some money. Volunteer to help needy people. (This would be appreciated much more than any football ever could.) The list of what you can do is endless. Take a bus to another town or city and see what is going on there.
Ya, I guess I should rephrase that. Those are the most popular choices here. As of the 22nd of this month I'll be old enough to get a work permit, providing I can get the schools permission. so a job might not be out of the question.
I do have a hobby, I read a lot.
Truthfully, I don't even care about playing anymore. I made the decision last night. i will no longer attend any practices. However, I do plan on continuing talking and working with the ACLU. Just because I've gotten so fed up with all this I don't want to play anymore doesn't mean that I should let them continue with their prejudistic power-trip. I will still do my best to obtain the rights I think everyone deserves.
No matter what though, when I graduate I'm leaving this city.
I wish I could be more supportive but my comment is simple, give it up. It sounds like it's either going to be 1. Football 2. longhair and in a gang. My guess is football may win in the end.
I do sympathize with you and wish you could win your fight but you have to pick your battles and I don't see this ending your way. As well the ACLU has limited resources and they too have to pick their battles and although they may feel strongly you are right they may determine the resources they have must be utilized on other cases.
As much as we hate too see you abandon your quest for longhair if football is this important to you then I say you can always grow your hair later on.
Kevin