High School Student’s Punishment for Language Use Sparks Free Speech Debate

The mother of a North Carolina high school boy who was punished for asking about the word “illegal alien” in class fears the punishment may jeopardize his college prospects if it remains on his record.

Leah McGhee stated that her 16-year-old son Christian, a 10th grader at Central Davidson High School, was simply asking a question when he used the term, which the school apparently compared “to a vicious racial slur.”

“A Christian is reared in a household that instills the belief in following Jesus Christ. For him, that stings even more, because he knows in his heart that he has no racism,” McGhee said on NewsNation’s “On Balance” show Tuesday. The Liberty Justice Center defended Christian’s family, who filed a complaint against the school system, citing infringement of his free speech, education, and due process rights.

McGhee expressed concern that Christian’s three-day punishment could cause problems when he applies to institutions next year. “This label that was so unfairly placed on his record is going to hinder him,” she told NewsNation.

McGhee claims that since his return to school following suspension, her son has endured ostracism, bullying, and threats. His parents dropped him from school due to safety concerns, and he is now finishing the semester at home.

According to the family’s attorney, Dean McGee, school administrators refused to conduct a “restorative justice” conference to discuss the incident as McGhee wanted.

“If they are punishing him in the hope of looking progressive, they’ve failed miserably,” McGee stated.