Cape High senior takes a stand

Arianna Carpenito has something to say. The Cape High senior said she's tired of racism, homophobia, sexism and bullying at school. So she made six T-shirts, for herself and some friends, to make a statement.

When she was told she couldn't wear the T-shirt to school, she said, she decided to take her case to the Cape Henlopen school board.

"I made a few of these, and I wore one to school, and I wanted to know why I wasn't allowed to wear it because there's nothing wrong with it, and there's nothing in the dress code that addresses that I cannot have this on my shirt," she said to the board April 27.

Written on Arianna's white T-shirt was the statement: Cape condones racism, homophobia, sexism and bullying.

Standing in front of the Cape Henlopen school board, she asked board members if they wanted her to explain her shirt. There was no response, except board President Andy Lewis said the board does not respond to anybody during citizen participation. Lewis and Superintendent Robert Fulton thanked her, but there was no further discussion.

The day Arianna wore her T-shirt to school, she said, an administrator told her she could not wear it, and she had to go home and could only return to school with a parent.

A number of incidents at the school prompted Arianna to react, she said.

On the topic of racism, she referenced an Instagram photo taken in a Cape High science class in which a girl poses by the n-word written in water on a black countertop.

Arianna said the n-word was directed at an African-American boy in the class. She also said she has heard the n-word used in many of her classes, and she has spoken out against classmates who use it.

"People can get away with saying the n-word in class. Teachers don't do anything," she said.

Arianna said the use of the word goes beyond common rap song lyrics, and it is used in a way to denigrate and hurt people, she said.

Dean of Students William Collick attended the April 27 meeting, but he did not respond to a later request for comment.

Coming to Cape High as a junior, Arianna said she was unsure about the dress code and received reprimands about holes in her jeans a few times. "Every day for three weeks they would bring me down to the office about my clothes," she said. "Now I follow the dress code because I don't want to get in trouble."

But, she said, she believes she is singled out.

Although the dress code states no student should wear shirts that have offensive or derogatory language, Arianna said her shirt is simply making a statement.

Richard Morse, legal director for the Delaware branch of the American Civil Liberties Union, said a student has a First Amendment right to wear a shirt, even if it is considered offensive. But if the shirt has profanity or causes a disruption, he said, then administrators can enforce the dress code.

"It really depends on whether there was a disruption," he said.

Principal Brian Donahue declined to comment unless approved by the district office. Superintendent Robert Fulton did not respond to a request for comment on the T-shirt and whether students involved with the n-word incident were suspended.

He did say that complaints of bullying are taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.

"Words or actions by staff or students that do not promote diversity are not tolerated and do not reflect the views of the Cape Henlopen School District," he said.

In a letter he sent to district staff during the first week in May, Fulton wrote, "We are committed to and will continue to improve our efforts to support and celebrate diversity in the Cape community."

Arianna, who is open about being a lesbian, said she has been harassed about her sexuality by boys in her classes. She said she has submitted her concerns in a complaint box, but her concerns are ignored. Her junior year, she said, a boy shoved a water bottle down her shirt; she was eventually reprimanded by an administrator about the way she dresses.

Arianna said she was disappointed no one on the school board commented on her situation.

In contrast to Arianna's presentation at the April school board meeting, Cape High seniors Hannah Lowe and Erin Gallagher spoke to the board May 11 about the school's Gay/Straight Alliance. Hannah, who is president of the GSA, said the are 40 to 70 members who meet twice a month. She said the group has worked with school administrators to provide safe places in the school where students can go if they are overwhelmed.

Erin said administrators also work with GSA students who are concerned with bullying. "We want to let people know bullying is not OK," she said.

Hannah said, as far as she knows, complaints placed in the school complaint box are taken care of by school administrators.

"We are confident that the administration addresses concerns that are brought to them," Hannah said.

Hannah said she feels fortunate to attend Cape High because administrators do care about the students.

"Cape is not without its faults, but we feel that we can flourish by working together," she said. "We have a very supportive administration."