High school graduate gets in last word over censored speech
TOMAHAWK — A northern Wisconsin high school valedictorian decided against speaking at commencement earlier this month after school administrators required she not reference discrimination, school shootings and gender inequality. Instead, a local newspaper published her speech.
Cait Christenson, who was among six valedictorians at Tomahawk High School, said administrators reviewed a written version of her speech and wanted to censor some topics for fear of provoking disagreement, judgment and making others feel attacked.
While administrators gave her the option of rewriting her speech, Christenson said, she decided against speaking at the June 3 ceremony because it would get rid of the message she wanted to convey. The 18-year-old said she wanted to spark critical thinking, not advocate any specific policy changes, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.
“The reasons I was not allowed to speak opposed exactly what I was trying to get across in my speech: being able to open a conversation civilly, and critically think about and accept other’s opinions and values,” Christenson said.
Read more: http://www.leadertelegram.com/News/Daily-Updates/2018/06/16/div-class-libPageBodyLinebreak-Graduate-gets-in-last-word-over-censored-speech-div.html