'Bless You' and Gun Fiction: Are Schools Too Sensitive?

With the realities of Columbine and Sandy Hook, as well as a growing understanding of bullying and harassment, schools appear to have embraced zero tolerance policies that sometimes extend far beyond a pressing threat of violence.

In Tennessee, a high school senior was disciplined recently for responding to another student’s sneeze with, “Bless you.” Apparently, the teacher had banned the saying from the classroom.

For a creative writing assignment, a South Carolina student bragged about shooting a neighbor’s pet dinosaur. Law enforcement searched his locker for weapons and the teen was called in for a conference with police and the school administrators.

In both instances, administrators have argued it was the individual student’s attitude that led staff to act, and not just the ‘bless you’ or the writing. Supporters of the students say it is politically correct overreactions.

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