Tinker Calling Out for New Student Leaders

A national leader on student rights spoke to Indianapolis teens Wednesday about her story.

Mary Beth Tinker was 13 years old when she wore a black armband to protest the Vietnam War.

That set off a national debate and led to a Supreme Court ruling defending her rights.

Tinker hopes sharing her experience with North Central High School students inspires them to have a voice on issues they care about.

"When students talk about something they want to stand up about or make a difference on I say 'find a few other people that also care about that issue and talk to them.  Put your heads together.  You can use your creativity.  You can use your imagination.  Find ways to address that issue.  Use your First Amendment rights.'" she said.  "There are ways that you can express yourself.  But, you need to know your rights in order to use them."

North Central High School Director of Student Publications Tom Gayda says his students connected with Tinker’s experience.

"They asked some pretty good questions as the morning went on about marriage equality and economic equality and things that they are thinking about, especially here in Indiana with discussion of a same sex marriage law," he said.  "They kind of understood that they too can have a voice if they want to use it."

Tinker has been touring the country for the past month telling her story.

"You use your rights to make a better world, to take our democracy forward," said Tinker.  "I want students to see that it's a way of life to speak up, stand up, to use your First Amendment rights to take democracy forward and to make our world better."

(photo from Tom Gayda)