Update: The Supreme Court ruled on June 18, 2015, that the state of Texas can refuse to issue Confederate flag license plates.
As prom season is upon us and the Supreme Court considers whether license plates with images of the Confederate flag are constitutional, we share with you a case study that melds images from both events: prom and the Confederate flag.
We use case studies in our Newseum classes to give students a deeper understanding of the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment — and when those rights can be limited. This case is classroom-ready for you.
Jacqueline Duty worked years on designing her senior prom outfit – a sequined red dress patterned after the Confederate battle flag. The principal of Russell High School in Russell, Ky., deemed the dress “too controversial” and warned Jacqueline not to wear it to the prom, but she did so anyway. She said she had no other gown to wear and hoped administrators would change their minds. Instead, she was barred from the school event. Jacqueline sued the school district, claiming her First Amendment rights had been violated. “I wanted to show part of my Southern heritage,” she said.
Think about this:
To guide the discussion:
Tips for student discussion:
In small groups, students should talk through the questions and decide who they think should win the case and why. Challenge the students to consider both sides of the issue, and what factors – If changed – would alter their opinion.
Classroom-ready PowerPoint Presentation |
What happened with the lawsuit?
Jacqueline’s case never went to trial. The school board agreed to settle out of court in 2006. Both sides agreed not to disclose precise terms of the settlement, including the amount of damages awarded. Jacqueline’s case attracted national media attention and her lawyers said the school board’s withdrawal was a victory for Southern heritage.
Learn more about the prom case and its outcome.
Learn more about the Supreme Court decision on specialty license plates and whether a state must allow messages that could be considered offensive.
We are interested to hear your feedback, so please share your thoughts with us in the comment section below. Feel free to include comments from your students on how they would have decided the case.
I believe she should be allowed to wear it. It represents Southern pride NOT slavery as people tend to think..
I’m absolutely in love with doing what i love and showing people the real me. In that case i made a homemade rebel flag dress for semi and asked my principals and they both agreed i’d be fine, but i did get an ISS for my rebel flag nails. My question is, what is so wrong with our society that they think our battle flag is some how rascist.
Russell High School is not in Lexington, it’s about 2 hours northeast.
My daughters will wear the same dress…its their heritage…..
Interesting study! There are certainly a lot of cases of teen girls showing off their personality in one way or another with custom prom dresses, and with issues that are politically charged, something as simple as a dress can cause some buzz.
I agree people have the right to say or wear what they choose but I do believe that rules should be obeyed at school. I always hear in the news how black students get detention for wearing braids, dreads, or even afros which is also heritage. Rules should apply to all. I believe the dress is intentional and will draw too much negative attention.