S-C band's shirt flap hits sour notes

Last week, Sedalia School District 200 administrators made the decision to have Smith-Cotton High School band members turn in T-shirts emblazoned with a design found offensive by some parents.

The image in question showed a monkey progressing through different stages of evolution until finally becoming a man. Each figure throughout the progression holds a brass instrument. The design was meant to reflect “Brass Evolutions,” the band’s theme of how brass instruments have evolved over the past few decades.

As reported Saturday by The Democrat’s Tonya Fennell, Band Director Jordan Summers said the design was chosen because it was “recognizable.”

We find nothing wrong with the T-shirts and believe the students should be able to continue wearing them if they choose to. It’s a play on words that did not endorse or blaspheme any faith.

As sophomore band member Denyel Luke said in Fennell’s article:

“It’s not like we are saying God is bad. We aren’t promoting evolution.”

School administrators overreacted to the pressure from some parents who obviously saw the image as promoting the theory of evolution and a threat to their own Christian beliefs.

We have to wonder how these same parents would react if the T-shirts contained images depicting the resurrection of Christ or the letters WWJD. Would they then be willing to bow to the pressure of disapproving nonbelievers?

Probably not, we suspect.

Not only has the public outcry over the T-shirts been a distraction to the students who are working so hard on their marching and music, but the school district has to eat the cost of the shirts — a total of $700.

We suggest that those who found the shirts to be so offensive consider enrolling their child in a non-public school of their choice that promotes an atmosphere and curriculum based on their own personal beliefs. A public school is just that — public, and no student should be subjected to or feel pressured by the religious preferences of one group or another.

This is exactly what happened here, and that is a shame.

The students should have been able to make a personal choice whether to wear the shirt. But in the end, they were stripped of the shirts and stripped of this choice. We find that slightly disturbing.

The important thing is that the band students don’t let this unnecessary meddling interfere with their performances.

Board of education member Michael Stees said in Fennell’s article that it was unfortunate the design was misconceived and he hopes the band can move forward.

“This is an exciting time for the band,” he said. “They don’t need any negativity.”

We agree. March on.