An update on a previous posting regarding the Howell, Michigan high school teacher Jay McDowell, suspended for two days – one with pay, one without - after disciplining two students for what became a free speech issue, Mr. McDowell wearing a purple tee shirt to raise awareness of anti-gay harassment and a student questioning why he was required to remove a Confederate flag belt buckle. McDowell appealed suspension, filing a grievance to have the district’s order overturned. On Monday night, dozens of students and community members filled a Howell school board meeting to protest the suspicion and show support for McDowell. Among those in attendance, 14 year old Ann Arbour resident Graeme Taylor, the openly gay son of a teacher, who addressed the board with an articulateness and composure that belies his age, telling of how the fear of bullying led to a suicide attempt at age 9, and his wish that a teacher like Mr. McDowell had of stood strong for gay students at Howell High. Remarkable.
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