comment: >
  
  I thought we were criminalizing political statements in the classroom, red states. What gives?
context: OK,  I was a little confused about what happened, so I looked around:
  
  The appeals court ruling, which was filed on Dec. 29, determined that Dodge’s hat was protected speech. The panel affirmed the lower court’s ruling that the district and Gomes were not liable but allowed claims against Garrett to move forward, determining sufficient evidence exists for a jury to consider whether the principal violated the teacher’s constitutional rights.
  
  So basically,  the principal may have violated the teacher's first amendment right, but that the school district and human resources chief did not. >
  
  Wouldn't that violate the school dress code, though? At least when I was in school, we weren't allowed to wear hats inside the building unless it was some sort of religious dress. And anything with any kind of controversial messaging, including political t-shirts of any kind, were not allowed. I would think that would extend to teachers.
  So are school dress codes gone, now? Are girls finally allowed to wear tank tops? >
  
  Well,  it looks like this happened during a training session when students weren't present,  so the regular dress code may not have applied. >
  
  If there was a culture of allowing violations of a dress code, or if clothing with other political messages are allowed, then the policies can't be enforced against him. >
  
  Yeah if the teacher has pics or evidence of other teachers wearing an Obama "hope" shirt or Hilary 2016 hat, then he definately will win the case because he was singled out compared to others. >
  
  The district was allowing other political slogans and even BLM attire to be worn. >
  
  If you allow one then all must be accepted. I was in a union position in which dress code was an issue. It was so stupid in which long sleeves weren't allowed under polo company dress shirts. Well, certain departments were allowed to wear them with no recourse. I felt singled out and brought up this fact. 
  At the time, being a smart ass teen, I wore the long sleeves. Our warehouse would hit below freezing and I was constantly back and forth to the sales floor. A manager decided to send me home to get changed, during a holiday week in which I was the sole person working the department and I didn't return like he assumed I would. When questioned the next day, I simply stated I was sent home, I don't have to return and was "in violation of the dress code". So thank you for letting me know how to get a day off. I could use them since 6 days straight and overtime every week. Anyway, long sleeves were allowed shortly after. >
  
  
  If you allow one then all must be accepted. 
  
  That's a basic tenet of fairness. Sadly, some people refuse to be fair. >
  
  It was a benefit of a union. Simply stating, let's walk the store right now and everyone not in dress code needs to be reprimanded the same as me or a rep can come in and explain the situation because I feel singled out. 
  They pulled the same stunt with time clock punches, being 5 min late or a little long on breaks. It's meaningless to reprimand one or two people if you don't do it to everyone. Starts to play into I'm the only one with this infraction while everyone else gets away with it. I also loved the sign here to say you understand the write up. Like nope, I don't have representation and I don't know the meaning of what's going on.
  Just knowing your basic worker rights on a federal and state level throw back a lot of managers. Never let yourself be taken advantage of. Stand your ground on a professional and calm way so they don't have more ammo. >
  
  Schools likely have rules about political statements (including hats).
  Opening a can of worms if they started allowing anything on shirts, hats and other things. >
  
  It’s an interesting case with some interesting ramifications. Who gets to make the rules for dress codes and what confines those rules? Can students now wear shirts that say ‘Fuck the Police’ or ‘Kill the Homework-givers’? Or if they are fans of Kanye, a shirt saying ‘Jews own the world’ or something similar? It will be interesting. >
  
  
  Who gets to make the rules for dress codes and what confines those rules?
  
  I presume whatever body makes the other rules...
  Really shouldn't be hard to just have a rule saying "No clothing that will cause a disruption."  
  So if you're wearing anything to "piss people off" or "trigger the libs" yeah... no.  This is a school, not AM radio.  If you're clothing surprisingly causes a disruption, don't bring it back to school.
  If you can't use your judgment, you can't teach. >
  
  
  Really shouldn't be hard to just have a rule saying "No clothing that will cause a disruption." 
  
  That is incredibly vague. >
  
  No, it's really not.  If you're wearing something that's sparking conflict, you stop wearing it.  If this is a line you can't help but cross, you are not fit to be a teacher.  You're a professional, not a billboard. 
  Like any rule regarding behavior, judgment needs to be used, and if judgment can't be used, then no amount of policy will solve the issue.  I argue anyone unable to use judgment should be removed from professional positions. >
  
  
  No, it's really not.
  
  Yeah it really is.
  
  If you're wearing something that's sparking conflict, you stop wearing it. 
  
  Literally anything could be considered to "spark conflict". >
  
  Your're wrong. Have you ever actually read the first amendment?
  
  Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
  
  How is a school making a policy against certain speech in violation of that?
  ​
  
  Literally anything could be considered to "spark conflict".
  
  Wording like this in policies is usually tempered by further clarification and examples of what may constitute such items. It is generally also subject to (what we here in australia call) the pub test. In this case if you were to walk into a pub (or a classroom) would a reasonable person expect this to spark conflict? 
  A MAGA hat yes, as some people would agree and others would see it as a slogan from a political party going against there best interests.
  A shirt that says, "Eagles are birds" probably not. >
  
  The problem is that schools in backwards places would consider an "Evolution is Real" shirt to cause disruption, and thus removed. >
  
  So don't wear that shirt.
  Why is a teacher wearing anything other then a blank dress shirt, or a blank polo shirt while teaching anyway? >
  
  You don't understand.    
  It is a long established precedent, that public schools are partially agents of the government, and they cannot make any rule that they want regarding speech.    
  They can make some rules, but not any rule.  Some rules, if a public school does it, would be violations of the 1st amendment.    
  As proven by the fact that this teach won the court case, actually. >
  
  Doing political stunts at school when you're a teacher is pretty dumb though. >
  
  It was only during staff days, with no students present. 
  That said, it was a staff day for cultural sensitivity, so there's that. >
  
  It can be dumb but perfectly within the teacher's rights.
  I don't recall us getting this upset over the Starbucks employee wearing a BLM mask. I think MAGA is an idiotic message, but rules for thee but not for me I guess. >
  
  Conservatism calls that “Woke-ism” and certainly gets upsets/wants to ban it.
  This is an example of double speak.
  You bet your dollar pancakes that “constitutional rights” have a history of being selectively applied in America.
  Pride flags were banned, so should MAGA hats. >
  
  Funny story, theyre both appropriate examples.
  Flags that demonstrate politics is equivalent to a fucking hat that demonstrates politics.
  So yes, they are absolutely comparable given the realm of conversation we are having. >
  
  I stand corrected.
  Do you know if pride flags were banned at staff-only gatherings as well? That's the case in question here.
  Let's also not forget that the teacher here wore the hat a total of twice. It seems like a lot of drama for absolutely nothing. >
  
  I don’t disagree, but welcome to America where a teacher can be fired for going “me too!” When a child draws a pride flag to represent their lesbian parents.
  True story, and why I’m fucking sick of the republican double speak. If BLM, politics, and anything “other”, make you sooooooo uncomfortable and should be kept quiet, 
  —then get your “under one god” religious bullshit out of my face along with the coaches that are allowed to pray-pressure their students.
  I’ve been putting up with the loud majority for so long that honestly wear that damn MAGA hat. So long as I can be loud and proud as well. Which makes me more libertarian than any fucking “libertarian” these days. >
  
  I get it. I'm in the same boat and am increasingly alarmed by how radicalized we've become. Everyone likes to point fingers, but even in Reddit the top subs are rabidly assuming things that fit their worldview.
  I'm just as upset about the pride flag bans as this here. I just think if we stop applying the rules consistently we've lost all hope. >
  
  Thank you for providing a decent reddit interaction and listening. 
  All I will say, pay attention to which party is banning shit and acting all constitutionalist at the same time. That’s the party of radicalization. It takes ideology to cover up hypocrisy that extreme. >
  
  I think we can all agree that the wearing of political paraphernalia is cringe even if constitutionally protected >
  
  agreed. should've been fired for being too cringe 🌚 >
  
  Fr no cap >
  
  Fr with a cap >
  
  So this would also mean gay pride flags would be legally protected speech in florida >
  
  Hate speech in some places. Because hate speech is only as good as how the person feels. Why it doesn't hold in court for one thing over the other, I'll never know. 
  Must be a broad case of the "Should of known or Ought to have known " >
  
  I had teachers wearing Obama pins right before the 2008 election. Should be the same idea. >
  
  I first read this as “Obama Pants” now I desperately want to see that >
  
  Whelp. Time to bust out the rainbow flags. >
  
  Now, the door opens both ways, so this essentially nullifies the Florida “Don’t Say Gay” Bill for teachers then, right? >
  
  I don’t think people in public service should be able to advertise politics while on the job. >
  
  I remember not being allowed to wear a spuds mckenzie shirt in school. I guess my first amendment rights weren’t as important? >
  
  I knew teachers who got penalized for protesting the war in Iraq, but this guy… >
  
  this guy got penalized for wearing the MAGA hat. That's the entire reason this went to court. Im sure other teachers/students have brought similar things to court before on either side of the aisle >
  
  Alright, let that woman in a wig with massive gongers teach those children >
  
  I mean…. Good. Why was this even an issue? >
  
  I lean left and believe this ruling is the right one - especially in context. Individual free speech should be protected.
  However something interesting is around the corner… should a teacher (or public representative in a position of power over minors) put forward left or right leaning political messaging while with kids? I understand this wasn’t the context here… but it’s a tricky subject. >
  
  this was on school grounds, but was a teacher only event.  it was a sort of "reeducation" event that the teacher disagreed with because it was political in nature.  by bringing the maga hat he was making a statement.  the principal was pretty dumb by taking the bait.  
  there were 3 or 4 people that claimed they felt threatened by the hat.  the whole thing is very stupid and the teacher was out right threatened with disciplinary action if he did not put the hat in his car. >
  
  Anyone who felt threatened by the hat is an overdramatic idiot. >
  
  I’m wondering what that affect on or mandatory school uniforms, when a student says no I wear what I want >
  
  
  “That some may not like the political message being conveyed is par for the course and cannot itself be a basis for finding disruption of a kind that outweighs the speaker’s First Amendment rights,” Judge Danielle J. Forrest wrote in the opinion.
  
  This seems like a fair ruling. It's not like MAGA itself is hate speech, although the hyper-partisan landscape over the past several years seems to not agree with that. Being able to peacefully support or speak ill of the US government is a right that shouldn't be curtailed, even if some might consider it insensitive. >
  
  But remember having rainbows in your classroom is not protected. >
  
  Are we talking in the classroom MAGA hat or arriving and departing from work attire.  I think there’s a difference.
  Edit: Never mind. Read it. Not in class.  Should be protected. >
  
  On the surface this ruling is fine.  But it just creates more strange double standard grey area when  looked at in combination of such efforts as "Parental Rights in Education Act" it shows a double standard perhaps?  There is an argument made during that Act's passing that the state has the right "regulate primary education curriculum by imposing restraints on what teachers can say" etc.  And the act is currently being upheld by a Trump appointee.
  edit:  I am not saying these are in the same state etc either btw just the same political alignment. 
  I am actually fine with the hat ruling to be clear. >
  
  Nothing grey about this.
  This case has everyone confused because they see teacher and assume it's about a teacher conveying a message to their class.
  The MAGA guy wasn't teaching a class. It was a faculty meeting. That means it's not about a government employee trying to convey a political message to the public.
  After that it's a straightforward application of 1st Amendment doctrine. The school allowed political attire, but the principal doesn't like one particular political message and took action.
  That's textbook viewpoint discrimination. >
  
  Political statements need to be protected by law.  Whether it's a MAGA hat or rainbows or a short skirt, it can't be disallowed by law.  However, when I go into the office, I shouldn't wear any of those things.  The same is true of schools.  There are rules, then there's the law.
  In this case, the principal can't forbid the teacher from wearing a MAGA hat, but he can write him up for being a disturbance in the school and having poor judgement. >
  
  “They hated him because he spoke the truth.” A meme!
  Yeah seriously, people need to understand the rights or privileges they rob from others will also steal from themselves. 
  I like free speech even if it’s something I don’t want to hear.
  Edit. I am not defending trump you lunatics. God you people need to chill. I was quoting a MEME. >
  
  What "truth" did he speak? Someone supporting a party that denies reality (i.e. science and the 2020 election) and continually lambasts climate and infectious disease experts doesn't exactly seem like someone who is even interested in truth.
  Edit: wording >
  
  Yes I want to know who these people are so I don’t have to be around them.
  And going back to what I said. What rights I take for someone else I take from myself. >
  
  All that means is every teacher who hangs an lgbtq+ flag is expressing their 1st amendment right and qanon morons can’t complain that they’re “indoctrinating” their kids. >
  
  Teachers are allowed to hang pride flags though, so from a constitutionality perspective, what's your point? >
  
  Does this mean teachers can wear caps saying whatever they want?  I don’t see this going well. >
  
  Yes. If it’s covered under free speech, you can wear it. If you don’t want your 1st amendment rights protected, don’t be surprised what you suddenly lose the rest of your rights >
  
  Does this ruling mean BLM shirts are protected speech too. >
  
  Someone else in this thread mentioned that BLM messages on clothes was one of the reasons why the court decided like this. Those were supposedly already allowed by the school. >
  
  So where’s all the right wingers who were throwing a fit about any pride attire in schools who said teachers “shouldn’t be political” >
  
  So no more dress codes cool, Satanic Temple shirts for everyone should get their attention. >
  
  That's fine.
  I'll wear my pussy hat to school now. >
  
  I got sent home from 10th grade because I was wearing a shirt that said. "Big cats are dangerous but a little pussy never hurt anybody." >
  
  “Employee violates dress code policy and gets protected by 1st Amendment”
  Meh, more bullshit. Just another day in the job. >
  
  Then schools should be able to show off lgbt support in the classroom. >
  
  It’s just a hat. Why has the world gone mad on censorship? Silencing people doesn’t change their opinions, it only stops them from voicing them. Personally I prefer people to be able to speak freely, however offensive their opinions may be. It allows me to make an educated decision on whether I should invest any time into them. >
  
  The point isn't the change their opinions, it's to avoid other opinions from being influenced. >
  
  You change negative opinions through education not censorship. Censorship only makes it worse >
  
  People like Maga cultists will always exist. Their opinions will never change. They can however slowly die out if their ideas arent spread to everyone >
  
  
  Their opinions will never change
  
  That sounds like a very closed minded thing to say. >
  
  Two way street then. The kids should be able to wear whatever shirt or hat they want to wear as well. I.E. Make Love Not War!" Or "Beer. Helping ugly people have sex for 100 years!" >
  
  I think both Politics and Religion should stay at home unless it's a special event or elective. It's unprofessional in settings such as work or school to insert your nonemperical subjective opinions into the acumen. In my opinion those who feel the need to bedazzle their attire in political jargon are morons who probably shouldn't be voting at all, but that's just me. You're obviously free to wear whatever the hell you want out in public, just don't complain if you don't receive the attention you were craving. >
  
  This whole MAGA thing overshadowed a really good group I was trying to startup Moms Against Good Acronyms. >
  
  Oh? So then clothing displaying  support for ANTIFA, BLM, & Pride are also all acceptable and protected by 1A, right? >
  
  Does this mean that teachers can wear their Black Lives Matter T-shirts to their Florida classrooms? >
  
  I hate both sides but if this were the other way around with a  Biden hat, you all would be calling for riots. Shut up. So predictable its cringe. Doesnt matter which party name is on the hat. Everyone has a right to express their vote if they want to like an arrogant asshole the teacher is. It's their right.