Reflections on Mary Beth Tinker’s Visit to Spokane
On November 19, the Alliance for Social Justice, Gonzaga Chapter of the ACLU, William O. Douglas Committee, and Thomas More Program sponsored a visit by Mary Beth Tinker to Spokane. In her visit to Gonzaga Law School, Mary Beth Tinker addressed not only the student free speech issues and personal experiences with Tinker v. Des Moines, but also the broader issue of fundamental rights of children globally. She argued that the issue of student free speech is only part of a much larger policy discussion of children rights highlighting concerns such as lagging high school graduation rates, child abuse, and ongoing child labor concerns.
Ms. Tinker also expressed concern with regard to the current approach of the Supreme Court evidenced by decisions such as Morse, in which the Court upheld Juneau school district’s decision to suspend a student for holding a banner reading “Bong Hits for Jesus” during the Olympic Torch relay, and Hazelwood, in which the Court permitted school’s to censor student publications. She emphasized that even the youngest citizens have meaningful insights and perspectives to contribute to the marketplace of ideas. She also brought her inspiring message directly to Spokane’s youth with visits to both Rogers High School and Lewis and Clark High School.
Those interested in learning more about Mary Beth Tinker and the circumstances of her landmark Supreme Court case should pick up John W. Johnson’s The Struggle for Student Rights: Tinker v. Des Moines and the 1960s. It contains the whole factual background of the case (based on interviews with Tinker, her family members, and others involved) and covers the progress of the lawsuit through the courts to the Supreme Court. The book also explores the impact of the decision going forward after the decision in Tinker.