Letter to the Editor: I am appalled

Syracuse Post-Standard
Sept. 29, 2009


To the Editor:

I have been teaching 5th grade for 10 years, and I am appalled at the reaction to this T-shirt business.

I am an avid Yankees fan and have many Yankee souvenirs about my room. For years I have joked with my students about wearing Red Sox clothing and having to turn it inside out.

A few years back, a young boy tested me on my claim. I said to him, “You know, you will have to turn that inside out for the day (as I smiled from ear to ear at him).” He said, “I know, I just wanted to get you, Mr. S.” He turned it inside out, we (the entire class) laughed, and we moved on for the day. I later rewarded him with a classroom incentive for being a tremendous sport.
As the school year went on, he and I continued our “apparel war,” as he called it. A few students followed his lead and we had a lot of fun as a class. Never, ever did I hinder his First Amendment right to free speech.

I only hope that this incident goes well for the teacher in question, and that the family stops the ridiculous and absurd obvious quest for attention and its 15 minutes of fame.

I read that the Yankee organization mailed a “caring” package to him. Perhaps the parents should have him wear, say, a shirt with alcohol references on it. Then they can get free beverages, too.

James Sandford
Cicero