Students can’t say no if asked to dance at Utah school. A mom calls it ‘rape culture’
A Utah middle school won’t allow students to say no if they’re asked to dance at school functions, a policy officials say is intended to encourage inclusiveness, media outlets report.
A mom calls it “rape culture.”
Alicia Hobson says her daughter refused to dance with a boy during the Valentine’s Day dance at Rich Middle School in Laketown, a small town in northeast Utah, according to a Facebook post. Hobson’s daughter told her that the principal intervened, telling her she must dance, the mom said.
“I just didn’t like it at all,” Hobson’s daughter, Azlyn, told KTSU. “When they finally said it was done, I was like, ‘Yes!’”
Principal Kip Motta said the rule was created to help all students feel included, the Salt Lake Tribune reported.
“We want to protect every child’s right to be safe and comfortable at school,” Motta told the newspaper. “We believe in that 100 percent. We also believe that all children should be included in activities.”
Hobson disagrees. She refuses to let her daughter and other students become “wrapped up” in a rape culture.
“She should not have to stand close to him with his hands on her if she doesn’t want to,” Hobson posted on Facebook. “She has the right to say no to anyone for any reason or no reason.”
Despite Hobson’s objections, it didn’t appear the school planned to change the policy at first. A letter the principal sent to the mom defended the policy, TODAY reported.
“There have been similar situations in the past where some students have felt uncomfortable with others, and, as stated prior, the issues were discreetly handled,” Motta wrote the letter on Feb. 15, TODAY reported. “This allowed all students to feel welcome, comfortable, safe, and included.”
Now, however, the school district is reviewing its policy, Motta told KTSU in a story published on Wednesday.
“The last thing in the world we want anybody to do is to feel uncomfortable, any student at all to feel uncomfortable, or feel threatened or feel at all unsafe,” he told the TV station.
Hobson said she intends to contact the Utah Board of Education if the policy isn’t removed.
“I’m so angry right now for all the kids in that school,” Hobson posted on Facebook. “Why can’t they just have a fun school dance and not be forced to dance with kids they don’t want to dance with?”
A patient went for dental work at a health clinic. He left with HIV, Texas lawsuit says
Cop handcuffs teen son as ‘scare tactic’ and gets felony charges, Indiana police say
