EDITORIAL//Honesty is the Best Policy?

Honesty is highly valued in today’s society, where the tendency to lie seems to be taking on an increased prevalence in the lives of America’s teenagers. It is therefore interesting that telling the truth can sometimes result in increased punishment for an act, especially in a school, where the imperative is not only to educate us, but instill good values in our youth.

The specific incident that will be discussed in relation to this concept occurred at a band rehearsal at Richmond Street Elementary School on September 13. After work, members of the band began to draw on the concrete in chalk. One of the students, junior Matt Lim, wrote “UCLA sucks” upon the announcement of the score of a game that day (UCLA 0- BYU 59). Nothing occurred on the day of the incident, and the students went home as usual. On Monday, Ms. Harada was informed that “obscene” material had been drawn on the concrete of the elementary school. Upon investigating this, it was indeed true that “curse words” and male genitalia had been drawn. The curse word in question was apparently the word “sucks” written by Matt. Ms. Harada, naturally, sent for the students assumed to be responsible for the deed, and they were questioned one by one. Upon being questioned, Matt admitted to writing “UCLA sucks” and further said that he had already admitted this to Mr. Fox. The response to this was that what he wrote offended people. This editorial is not condoning the actions of Mr. Lim; rather, a different aspect of the issue is being examined. A detention was give to Mr. Lim for “minor vandalism.” Once again, this is not to say that Matt did not deserve the detention (although the semantics of the word vandalism can be debated as to its applicability to something written in chalk). Rather, it is the punishment assigned to the rest of the students. Only three of the band members were given detentions, the rest were not punished in any way after they denied all claims. Naturally, the three upright students who took responsibility for their immature deeds went to question Ms. Harada about this. At this point in time, according to Mr. Lim, the reason for the detention was changed to “indecent behavior.” Regardless of the reason, the fact that only three students received detention is rather unsettling.

It is of course expected of us to behave in a morally upright manner, but when the school refuses to punish those who lie and only punishes the students who have the moral fiber to admit to their deed, when the evidence against both parties is identical (namely eye witness accounts against the accused) something certainly wrong has occurred. This action on the part of the administration, rather than having the intended effect of punishing bad behavior, seemingly reinforces the impulse to lie. Once again, this editorial does not condone the immature activities of Mr. Lim and those who also drew on the concrete at Richmond Street. Instead, it is the opinion of the editorial staff of the Bay Eagle that punishment should not be subjective, and that the morally upright behavior of those who admitted to their deed should be admired, not maltreated.

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The Bay Eagle welcomes viewpoints on all matters. Signed letters and articles represent personal viewpoints and not that of the staff. Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the editorial staff. The viewpoints expressed are not those of the El Segundo School Board, Administration, Faculty or Staff. The Bay Eagle is a public student forum. First Amendment of the US Constitution: 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.