A photo of the seniors on the Plainfield football team perched on a military hummer and armed with police riot gear has sparked controversy among parents and school officials in Indiana.
Standing atop a military Hummer, the seniors were captured wielding bean bag launchers and tear gas guns, tools of the riot control trade that are synonymous with aggressive police response to widespread civil disobedience.
The picture was taken with permission from police during a campus state police community session.
Parents of players on the team have questioned why the coaches allowed their players to pose for the photo fearing the message it sends and district officials question why the police equipment was even allowed on school property.
“We take very seriously the district’s policy regarding any weapon on school property. Our office was not made aware of this photo op ahead of time, nor had we approved it,” Plainfield Community Schools Superintendent Scott Olinger said in a statement. “We highly respect the State Police and the work they do. However, since this was an event that involved crowd control devices, it needed to be vetted by our staff through our offices. As a result, the district is clarifying its policy to all staff regarding prior approval for any activity on school property.”
There has been no report of when the photograph was taken, but I do not think it’s unrelated to horrific events that are occurring in Ferguson, Missouri. I don’t think these seniors meant any harm when they posed for this picture, however, it does call into question the glamorization of violence and weaponry in this country…simply put too many people find it cool.