A Badge of Shame, the Infamous Cheese Sandwich
Tuesday, June 19th, 2007
Dear HumanDHS Friends!
COMMENT by Brian Lynch: This is posted as an example of 1) a type of humiliation and 2) a obvious reminder of how far we have to go. Here a California school district has decided to humiliate elementry school children as a way to get their parents to pay their bill.
The start of the article:
A Badge of Shame, the Infamous Cheese Sandwich
by OneCrankyDom
Mon Jun 18, 2007 at 07:16:49 AM PDT
I would never of believe this could happen in Ca. but not only does it happen, it seems to be wide spread and growing. I’m not talking about a huge amount of money owed per family before the punishment kicks in, the amount is only $5.00. What is happening when a parent owes 5 bucks or more ? The child is subjected to public humilation, embarrassment, ridicule, and all the other cruel ways kids treat those they see has lesser than themselves. How many of us can remember how that feels, and what it can lead to ?
In a nutshell here is what is happening. Imagine yourself 7 or 8 yrs old, going thru the lunchline to get your pizza or hamburger for lunch like everyone else. You load up your tray just like your friends in front and back of you, only to have the line stopped, being told to empty your tray, and having plain cheese sandwich placed on your tray. No burger, no fries, no pizza, no fruit, just a brown cheese sandwich. A Scarlet Letter if you will, has been laid on your tray and everyone in line hears you being told that if you want the same lunch as everyone else, your parents need to pay their bills. In front of your peers, friends, and the bullys, it has just been announced that you are poor, you dad is a deadbeat, and you don’t deserve a decent meal.