I am very disturbed by the T-shirts My elementary school children

[rbrnmw]

are being asked to buy it Says "We Bleed Red and Gray" they are $12. I am not sure how to begin to address this craziness. The School Colors are red and gray but the shirt still disturbs the hell out of me. a color copy can be seen at mrhuffman.proboards.com inside the STARS folder.

[roody]

1. That is disturbing.

[aikoaiko]

2. Sounds like a harmless metaphor to me.

[rbrnmw]

4. i don't find it harmless at all

[aikoaiko]

11. Tell me, please, what harm does it do?

[rbrnmw]

12. perhaps you don't know the long history of school shootings in America.

it is a call to violence in my opinion.

[aikoaiko]

16. Do you really think someone is going to shoot your kids because of these t-shirts?

OK, I get it that the shirt reminds you of horrible events, but that's hardly harm and I doubt anyone will called to do actual violence.


eta: Its your kids and your school so feel free to complain and not buy the t-shirt, but I did want to offer a different perspective.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

53. this just goes to prove

that some people can't WAIT to be offended... holy fuck.

sP

[Agschmid]

59. Yup.

[OriginalGeek]

39. Well I didn't get that from this shirt

There's been a long history of "I bleed ___ and ____" for sports teams and schools for as long as I can remember. Here in Florida I see a lot of "I bleed Orange and Blue" sentiment for the Gators (Although, I myself bleed Garnet and Gold).

It's always just meant to me that folks are fiercely loyal to their institutions and that those colors run through their veins. It has nothing at all to do with violence and certainly not a call to it. (Other than the obvious impact of a good solid hit on the football field. But those institutions play other sports too that are much less violent).

Perhaps in light of recent events some reconsideration is in order however the original sentiment was never meant to refer to any of that. It's an old sporting phrase and it wouldn't bother me but then, I no longer have kids in school so I'm not going to try and tell you how you should feel about it - just try to explain how and why I feel the way I do about it.

[joeglow3]

47. Wow. I did not expect that leap.

Sometimes the internet keeps me on my toes.

[Demo_Chris]

70. Respectfully, you need a Dandelion break....

http://thebananaverse.com/db/

Sometimes you nede to step away from negative things.

[HereSince1628]

23. Certainly metaphor...but it appears to be from a hyper-jingoized mind

bleeding = sacrifice = display of deep loyalty around which 'esprit de corps' is constructed

I understand that is important to institutions like the Marine Corps, but what type of mind constructs group solidarity via loyalty demonstrations invoking getting wounded and bleeding for school programming?

I can't imagine that being an appropriate state of mind for supporting athletics, orchestra or theater programs.

[aikoaiko]

26. Competitor-warrior metaphors for academics don't bother me.

Where I live there is a lot of competition among schools to excel in academics, sports, and other other school related activities.

Academics, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities are worth pursuing with gusto.

But as I mentioned in another post, I get it that the t-shirt reminds people of some horrific events.

[HereSince1628]

28. Nor do I want to invalidate your emotional response. It's yours.

It's a poor choice of illusion.

"NFL suspends New Orleans Saints coaches, GM for 'bounties' on opponents", was about generating enthusiastic gusto in players, too.

[aikoaiko]

30. Ok, but it wasn't the bounty metaphor that was the problem in your example.

It was the actual exchange of reward and money for injuries that was the problem. Telling a team to hit the opposing team's star player as hard as they can (albeit legally) is just the game.

Thank you for the exchange.

[ScreamingMeemie]

3. My son's school bleeds blue and yellow.

[DetlefK]

5. Ask them to write an expose what bleeding red and gray means.

Don't grade it and show it to the parents afterwards.

[roody]

6. It is anti science also.

[aikoaiko]

19. but as a metaphor it is pro-humanities.

What to do?

[riverwalker]

7. OMG

this is for elementary children? A graphic of an exploding chest wound??

[rbrnmw]

8. it is so sick I think it promotes violence.

[TreasonousBastard]

33. I'm not sure it promotes violence so much...

as desensitize.

But, either way it's just not right for little kids.

We're supposed to be protecting them from violence, not teaching them to glorify it.

[bobclark86]

43. Athletics promote violence...

That's the point of sports: Teach your kids how to kill people, or at least put them in the same mindset.

I'm far more offended by the high school football team 5 miles down the road not canceling its entire season after killing a player on an opposing team this fall than by a T-shirt.

That said, the red splotch in the middle of the shirt is, well, quite a bit more than a bit much. Yeah, that's pretty bad.

[Paladin]

48. We're talking about an elementary school, here. Did you even notice that?

Or does it just not matter to you?

[bobclark86]

64. I'm talking about a promising young life ended over a game.

Or does that not matter to you?

Perspective is everything.

Also, re-read my post. I take issue with the shirt, but it's hard for me to ignore the 800 pound gorilla in the room.

[joeglow3]

49. How did they kill a player? Did they shoot him?

[bobclark86]

65. Some claim illegal hit, others an un-diagnosed concussion

Staggered off the field after a play, died that night.

[Brigid]

20. That's for elementary school kids?

Um, no. The symbolism here is absolutely horrifying.

[KittyWampus]

21. was on the fence until seeing the graphic. IF the graphic is on there it is definitely inappropriate

for ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

[GreenPartyVoter]

67. Yeah, not excited about the graphic.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

60. Ohhhkay, then. That graphic changes everything-- really bad taste for kids.

[Mass]

9. I find it disturbing, but I am unsure whether there is a reference here that escapes me beyond

the implicit call to violence ("bleed&quot .

Sorry to ask, but I did not grow up in the US and want to be sure I am not missing something here.

[pipoman]

15. This metaphor has been used by sports teams

as long as I can remember (40+ years).

[TexasProgresive]

10. Texas A&M Aggies are proud to bleed maroon.

I always thought that was a bit much as they seem to bleed red on Texas Ave. and University Dr. Friday and Saturday nights. But maybe because the maroon is diluted by alcohol.

[giftedgirl77]

13. The shirt itself is disturbing...

I have more of an issue with the graphic pic than the statement itself. What is the mascot & why can't they just have that on the t-shirt instead or give kids a choice. The other option is don't buy one.

[Capt. Obvious]

14. That is horrifying

Ask them to change it to, "WE HUG RED AND GRAY"

[pipoman]

17. This metaphor has been used by sports teams for ever...

suprised how many here act like they have never heard such...

[rbrnmw]

18. it is more about graphic on the t-shirts

see post 7

[Brigid]

24. The only time I've ever heard it . . .

Was in stupid "patriotic" slogans. I think my sister would hit the roof if she saw her seven-year-old wearing something like this.

[Drale]

55. You've never heard someone say they "Bleed Cubbie Blue"

That's a pretty common slogan. It just means that your deeply loyal to that team and their colors run their your veins so if you prick me I'll bleed blue.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

58. I've heard it for years.

It was often said about fans and some players (like Santo).

[eShirl]

62. No; not all of us come from familes and/or social circles steeped in sports.

[Brigid]

68. Now that you mention it,

I've heard that one. But I've never seen a Cubs T-shirt with a gaping chest wound on it.

[sibelian]

32. Yeah. It's ugly as fuck.

[DiverDave]

34. It's not so much the message (it IS sick)

but to sell it to KIDS??, nope.

[Township75]

22. Well than don't look at he computer games they play. You will shit a brick

Don't ask them about call of duty.

[Brigid]

27. Games like that are not intended for elementary school kids.

My seven-year-old nephew is not allowed to play them.

[Niceguy1]

71. tons of elementary kids play call of duty

have my daughters class at least has it

[Decaffeinated]

25. Take a deep breath...

and relax.

There are actual things to be worried about in the world.

[Lizzie Poppet]

29. This.

I rolled my eyes so hard I almost got dizzy...

[Orrex]

31. Have your kids wear t-shirts that say "You're Going to Bleed Red and Gray"

See how quickly they get sent home for this harmless message.

[KittyWampus]

35. Great post.

[rbrnmw]

36. I am in Teabilly heaven I'd be high fived

it probably would't get a second look here

[Romulox]

37. It sounds idiotic. I wouldn't buy one for my child. nt

[NuclearDem]

38. The design is inappropriate, the phrasing's just fine.

I bled blue in high school.

[rbrnmw]

42. the graphics is the problem I have with it

the phrasing is more appropriate maybe in High School or College but I don't remember it in my educational career. I attended Catholic Schools maybe that is the reason the most violent thing we heard Were the Fighting Irish!!! Maybe I have just forgot hearing it.

[surrealAmerican]

40. Who decides these things?

Can you bring this up at the next PTA meeting? If they hear your concerns, they might agree with you.

[Paladin]

41. It's inappropriate at the elementary school level, especially in light of Sandy Hook.

But I'm not at all surprised that our resident Gun Activists are all for it.

[rbrnmw]

44. I can't believe that I am only one concerned

I am going to call the school and ask when the next PTA meeting is. I will be there to address this issue.

[KittyWampus]

50. You might search around for alternatives. It helps to have alternatives rather than

just say "I don't think X is appropriate for Elementary kids".

Like "I don't think X is appropriate for Elementary kids but DO think Y would be good".

[TeeYiYi]

69. Good idea...

Apparently, the "I bleed" tshirt is a common theme to promote school pride. The problem in this case is the execution (no pun intended) of the concept.



The goggles is full of variations on appropriate "bleed" tshirts:



To be honest, I'll be surprised if the school agrees to ban it. I think it's just for one class and not the whole school.

TYY

[Orsino]

45. Or will magically turn inappropriate following an act of violence. n/t

[Gormy Cuss]

66. It's interesting that so few posters made the connection

or they made it and chose to ignore it because it's based on a lame sports metaphor.

[NCTraveler]

46. The only problem I see....

is that they are not bleeding orange and blue. Go Gators.

[joeglow3]

52. Your attempt at humor sucks

Real fans bleed scarlet and cream.

[Whisp]

51. I agree, that is really creepy. n/t

[LittleBlue]

54. I don't see anything wrong with it

The common phrase "we/I bleed" is well understood to mean pride or passion, not actual violence. Just seeing that shirt, I wouldn't have even thought of this unless you mentioned it.

[tammywammy]

56. +1 same here n/t

[kcr]

61. The phrasing is okay. The graphics not so much.

I think blood spatters right on the chest really is a bit much. I think that's the problem the OP has, and I agree.

[Mike Nelson]

57. Not appropriate...

...in this day and age.

[TeeYiYi]

63. I didn't understand your issue...

...until I looked at the shirt.



That's just bizarre. Really poor "design". The only thing missing is a target superimposed over the gaping bloody wound.

Hopefully all parents will reject it. Seriously, what a goon. He needs to go back to the drawing board.

TYY

[pipoman]

72. Yep

just the "S" would have done. I also wonder if their colors were blue and gold, the splatter being gold, if there would be any controversy?

[rbrnmw]

74. exactly my point after Sandy Hook it is way too much

I wish I could get my kids out of that school last year a teacher told my son he could not wear a button that said forward because it was an Obama button. The same teacher that has a flag on his truck that says don't tread on me. Of course he doesn't display it at school but he has it up all the time in town for all to see outside of school.

[Butterbean]

73. Oh hell no. That shirt would not be going on either of my children. n/t