Removing art was disgrace

Dear editor,

As a concerned parent of a high school student here in Mountain Home, I think there is a significant detail that has been left out of the conversation over the removal of a student's artwork.

There was no controversy over the painting until it was posted on Facebook and the student, a minor, and her family were cyber bullied and racially harassed online by adult members of the community.

I am fully aware of the district stance that permission had not been given and that there is some sort of "liability" issue with painting parking spots. I have trouble buying that as the only explanation as to why events happened as they did.

It would have been prudent of the district to work with the family to stop the illegal harassment of a minor online. That very easily could have been the end of it, preventing a justified outrage by the student body, a dangerous counter protest, and the removal of all the students art.

We all share a responsibility for protecting our students and families from online bullying and its unfortunate results- in this case censorship of artistic expression.

Sincerely,

-- Rebecca Lampman, Bruneau