Paranoia Invades Freedom: Student Suspended for Grade A Class Project

Jack Christie, a grade 12 student from Whitby, Ontario, made some very creative, satirical videos for a class project. His classmates were amused. His teacher was impressed, so much so in fact, that he received an A for the assignment.

Several months later, Jack posted his videos on YouTube. The directors of the school board happened upon them and went into paranoia mode. They called the police to investigate and gave Jack a suspension. Why?

The videos were a little dicey. South Park style, cartoon humour, that included a mockery of racism, and a threat to invade Sweden and bring all the pretty Swedish girls to Jack’s house. Just what you’d expect from the mind of an 18 year old young man. Opinionated, loud, open and over the top. The benefit of being young is you still know everything and aren’t afraid to brag about it.

The videos that Jack Christie made are clearly satirical in nature, and no legitimate or realistic threats were made. There is nothing in the videos that isn’t similar to shows like South Park or Saturday Night Live. His suspension is a paranoid attempt at being politically correct. Nothing more, nothing less.

Paranoia has invaded common sense. Unfortunately, the results of that paranoia by the school board will be detrimental to Jack Christie. A suspension for the rest of the school year will not only scar his high school memories, but it goes on his transcripts. This could hurt his chances of attending post secondary schools.

The police investigation, thankfully, has been dropped. Apparently the police couldn’t find anything to investigate. It’s not like this was a secret online diary under a fake name. It was a class project. He openly submitted it and was graded for it. He was suspended months later, after posting the videos on YouTube, actions done away from school and on his own time. It’s a clear violation of Jack’s freedoms.

In retaliation to the suspension and the investigation, Jack Christie posted a fourth video addressed to the school board. By far, this is my favourite video. It shows Jack’s intelligence, along with the youthful indignation about unfair treatment.

Jack Christie hasn’t cowered, apologized or submitted to pressure. Good for him. Bending to politically correctness is the type of attitude the directors of the school board engaged and is likely the reason they took such paranoid action to begin with. We wouldn’t want to upset anyone now would we?

Ironically, the videos were only a source of amusement for classmates and friends before the investigation. Thanks to the school board, Jack Christie is gaining praise, recognition and lots of new viewers. I guess that can be the silver lining.