My letter to the editor of my high school newspaper. [Letter written 11/8/2023]

EDIT: For those asking. I am not a high school student, I am an adult that lives in the town where I graduated 11 years ago. I wrote this as a letter to the editor of the school newspaper. I'm not sure why I felt compelled to write it but I'm glad I did and its been a good thing.<br><br>EDIT 2: <br><br>The school administration confiscated all the newspapers and will not give them back to the students. The administrators say "the letter included harassment and bullying." And that the editor who published the letter could be brought up on bullying charges. The school administration ordered the students to destroy all digital copies of the newspaper but the editor is fighting them by refusing to do so. The school administration has ordered the students to be quiet about the issue and will punish any of them if they speak out.<br><br>EDIT 3: The student got in trouble at school. The school administration called on the student to delete all copies of the paper. The student refused and deleted the school's account instead. The school administration took the student's phone. The school administration scrolled through the student's phone and deleted the social media apps and removed the student from many social media groups. The school administration told the student not to post about it. The student wrote a letter to the editor of the local newspaper. The local newspaper called the school administrator. The school administrator hung up the phone, called the student out of class and berated the student for telling the newspaper about the situation. In a meeting with the student's parents, the school administrator said that the student was in trouble and would be disciplined for breaking school rules and for posting about it on social media.<br><br>EDIT 4: The school board meeting was on 11/28. The school board meeting was poorly attended. The school board meeting was cut short. The school board president cut off public comments. The school board refused to answer questions. The school board told the students to be quiet and obey the rules.<br><br>EDIT 5: As of 12/8, The school administration has still not released the copy of the letter they claim is filled with bullying and harassment. The school school administrator says the letter isn't their letter to release. The school has a history of transparency and honesty.<br><br>---<br>Dear Editor,<br><br>I am writing today because I see the hate and failed ideas that are being pushed by the school administration. These failed ideas are not based on science or evidence but on personal conviction and the desire to punish and embarrass others.<br><br>Let me tell you the truth. If you are a boy, you are a boy. If you are a girl, you are a girl. No matter what clothes you wear, no matter how you cut your hair, no matter what bathrooms you use. You will always be the same sex you were born as.<br><br>If you try to cut off or grow extra body parts, you will still be the same sex you were born as. You will not be happy, you will not be fulfilled. You will hurt yourself, your family and your friends. You will ruin your life.<br><br>The school should not be teaching anything else. The school should not be encouraging students to ruin their lives. The school should not be teaching your children to hate each other and hate themselves.<br><br>The school administration is filled with hate and bigotry. They want to destroy your innocence. They want to destroy your mind, body and spirit. They want to tear down your individuality and turn you into a drone, someone who obeys and never questions. <br><br>The school administration is cultivating an unsafe environment that encourages bullying and harassment. By allowing boys in the girls locker room, the school administration is cultivating an environment that encourages bullying and harassment. By teaching the children to hate themselves, the school administration is cultivating an environment that encourages bullying and harassment.<br><br>I urge every parent to think about their morals. Think about what you believe in and if you want your children being taught anything else. I urge every parent to reconsider letting the school teach their children anything. I urge every parent to think about their child's safety.<br><br>The school is not a safe place. Do not trust the school administration with your children. They do not have your children's best interest at heart. They have an agenda and they are using your children to further that agenda.<br><br>The school administration is filled with hate and bigotry. They do not love your children. They hate your children.<br><br>Sincerely,<br>[MY NAME] <br><br>---<br>EDIT 2: <br><br>I emailed this letter to the editor of the school newspaper. I didn't think they would actually print it, but I was hoping to reach at least one person and inspire a conversation. Today, I received a voicemail from a number I didn't recognize. I called it back and it was the editor of the school newspaper. The editor told me they received my email and told me they are going to put my letter on the front page of the paper. They said they were going to put a trigger warning on it. The editor called me back a couple hours later and told me the school administration tried to stop them from printing the letter. The editor told me that the school administration said the letter was not acceptable because it was mean and harassing. The editor told me that they were going to go ahead and print the letter anyway. I asked the editor to keep me updated. They told me they would.<br><br>EDIT 3:<br><br>The editor called me yesterday. The editor told me that the school administration is trying to suspend them. The editor is fighting it. The editor is going to print the letter anyway.<br><br>EDIT 4: <br><br>The editor called me today. They told me the paper is out. They told me the school administration is furious. They told me a girl cried because of my letter. The editor asked if they could interview me for the next edition. I told them I'd be happy to.<br><br>EDIT 5:<br><br>The school is investigating the student for bullying. The student is being supported by the newspaper. The newspaper is defending the student.<br><br>EDIT 6: <br><br>The school administration is being investigated for covering up the bullying.<br><br>EDIT 7:<br><br>The school administration is investigated for bullying the student.