STUDENT LEADERSHIP FOR RESISTANCE: PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY FOR RESPONDING TO HATE AT THE SCHOOL DOOR

Abstract

This ethnographic counter-narrative presented from the perspective of the school principal, highlights ethical challenges engaging students and community members organizing a response to an aggressive announcement of an anti-gay protest by the Westboro Baptist Church at a suburban high school. Using the state leadership standards as a guide and the conceptual framing of distributed leadership this paper analyzes the school principal, students and community leaders work together to meet the school leadership standard of safeguarding the values of democracy, equity, and diversity to respond to homophobic and hateful protesters at the school door. This case was presented by the principal during an aspiring principals course on Ethics, Policy and the Law offering an example of how to help aspiring principals learn to be ethically courageous in their work with students. These leadership opportunities may be more plentiful as participation in democracy looks more like marching, rallying and counter protests than voting. In 2017 it may not be enough to engage student voice in decision-making about school matters. This paper provides an illustrative example for aspiring and sitting principals who encourage students to participate effectively in democracy.