jamesq | Security Theatre

Security Theatre is the new term I've learned for actions that are taken by the authorities to give the appearance of making our lives more secure, while not actually doing anything. At best it's a waste of time. At worst it abusively takes away our civil liberties while producing a false sense of security and diverting resources from actions that will do some good.

The most obvious example is airport rules against carrying liquids onto planes. Thanks to Slacktivist I now have a new example: Banning backpacks and purses from students at schools, because they might be used to carry weapons.

Might as well ban limbs next because they have the same failing.

You can find the original story here.

I can think of several reasons why I don't like this:

1) It's sexist. Women need to carry supplies for their periods. Teenage girls are likely to be embarrassed by this reality, and quizzing them about it or in effect, make them wear a sign saying "I'm on the rag" is effectively harrassment. More on this line of thought here.

2) It's dangerous. Imagine having to go to your locker or the nurse's office to fetch your Epi-pen or inhaler.

3) It doesn't make anyone safer. As I allude to above, a student can still carry a gun. A Columbine style attack will not be dissuaded in the slightest by this sort of policy. Show up late, shoot the security guard, start lobbing pipe bombs into the class rooms. Better to try and identify the kids close to the breaking point and give them the treatment they need. Not that we do that either. Unless you count "kids close to the breaking point" as "goths" and "give them the treatment they need" as "punish for being different".

4) It doesn't help their backs any. Think, which will cause more stress: An armful of books carried in front, or the same amount of books carried on the shoulders via an ergonomically designed backpack?

5) It violates their rights. Really, what business is it of the schools how the students carry their stuff.

So why is that rule really in place? I think it's 40% fear of being sued and 60% the school's administration being made up of petty tyrants.

Kudos to the students for protesting this crap. I think every student (girls and boys) should carry a bag to class. When asked, tell them you're having a particularly heavy flow period that day. What are they going to do, check your shorts to make sure?