GIVE AUTHORITY FIGURES AN INCH . . . THEY'LL TAKE A MILE

Take a good look. This is what authoritarianism looks like. This is how it
treats our children.

It took a high school in a rural Ontario town to remind us the abuse of
power isn't limited to big cities and bloated governments.

All that's necessary is an authority figure, a victim and an excuse.

They found one at Kingsville District High School, near Windsor, when $90
was reported stolen: 20 Grade 9 boys were strip-searched.

It's not that we don't know how over-zealous functionaries can interpret
their powers -- it's that we have apparently willingly forgotten.

How ironic as world celebrates the 50th anniversary of the United Nations
human rights declaration, to be reminded how easily, swiftly and
righteously those rights can be swept away.

The Supreme Court of Canada only two weeks ago ruled that schools and
teachers could search students.

The court thus deemed it appropriate that inside the country's educational
system, protection against search and seizure does not apply. The arguments
- -- and appropriate ones they are -- revolve around fears of weapons and
violence in schools. The court ruling gave teachers the right to search
students if school authorities believe rules are being broken.

The Supreme Court set guidelines when searches are reasonable and how they
should be conducted. An education lawyer is quoted as remarking: "The
Supreme Court decision is not saying you can undertake a dragnet or sweep
search of students in an arbitrary fashion. You have to have reasonable
grounds to believe that either a school rule has been broken or that a
criminal offence is being committed."

There was broad agreement from the public for the ruling. It was seen as an
affirmation of the need for law and order in schools. It was soundly and
roundly supported.

Then Kingswell High School strip-searched a group of Grade 9 boys for some
missing money.

On the surface, both teachers and school could argue they acted within the
law. But was it right for them to do so?

It is difficult to contemplate a more mortifying act for young teenagers,
at an age when humiliation is always one rejection or bully's taunt away.
Only rape, perhaps, could be as clear a personal violation as having to
strip in front of a teacher, bend over and, in the parlance of the cop
shows, "spread 'em."

This is the reality of strip searches: half-naked, vulnerable and having
your anus "investigated" for contraband. The students were subjected only
to a "visual" search, but the rubber-glove examination is a feature of
prison life, sanctioned by the very real fact of drug smuggling. It also
serves a secondary purpose -- the subjugation and degradation of prisoners
to keep them aware of who's in control. It is a powerful tool.

A malicious and predatory authority can make hard time an exquisitely
painful emotional, mental and physical experience.

And in much the same way, an authoritarian school figure -- little better
than the jailhouse bully -- can make students' lives miserable.

But here's the difference -- students have parents and other adults who
sometimes see them as real people with rights.

The vice-principal who authorized the search is reportedly "devastated" by
the reaction and admits he made a mistake. The gym teacher who participated
is looking for a lawyer.

The principal is trying to blame the media. Parents are outraged and a town
of 6,000 just wants all the fuss to go away.

But before we do go away, take a good look. This is what authoritarianism
looks like. This is how it treats our children. This is what they have come
to expect.

If you are disgusted by this kind of abuse, where were you when half your
neighbours were baying for harsher punishment when teenagers break the law?

Where were you when "family values" were interpreted to mean the ownership
of children and the right of corporal punishment?

Where are you when the smug and comfortable talk about poverty and hungry
children as if they don't exist, as if they are a political stunt or are
not their fault or ours?

Where are you when store owners put up signs banning teenagers or fast-food
restaurants boot them out because they aren't spending enough money?

Where are you in all the other cases where children are taught that power,
authority, age and money are all that's essential in life?

If we want them to learn values and responsibilities; civility and
civilization, they have to see it first.

And yes, it is our fault.

Checked-by: Richard Lake