Winston Salem Times

Dr. Robert Luebke has denounced the three day suspension of a 16-year-old student for using the term "illegal alien" while seeking clarification during an English class vocabulary assignment. 

“No student deserves suspension for using the term illegal alien.  The term is used in federal statutes,” Luebke told the Winston Salem Times. 

Luebke Is the Director of the Center for Effective Education at the John Locke Foundation. 

“My understanding is that the student used the term in a neutral context, one where he was actually asking for clarification on the term alien.”

The situation occurred during a classroom discussion at Central Davidson High School in Lexington, sparking controversy over perceived offensiveness. 

After another student took offense, the incident escalated to threats of a physical altercation, leading administration to step in. 

Luebke further criticized the school administrators' actions, suggesting they reflect a misunderstanding or misapplication of the law.

“Students should not be suspended for innocent use of a word that is used in everyday jargon, one that’s a legal term and mentioned in Federal Statutes,” Luebke said. “That school administrators are fighting to suspend the student is indicative of how the law can be misused and speaks to the inability of school administrators to properly apply the law.” 

Davidson County Schools Superintendent Dr. Gregg Slate did not respond to a request for comment on the incident. 

Luebke holds a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin. He serves as a media analyst with a background spanning government, research and media. 

Leah McGhee's son, the suspended student, questioned his English teacher about the term's meaning during a vocabulary assignment, prompting another student's offense and subsequent threats. 

"Because of his question, our son was disciplined and given THREE days OUT of school suspension for ‘racism,’" McGhee told the Carolina Journal. "He is devastated and concerned that the racism label on his school record will harm his future goal of receiving a track scholarship. We are concerned that he will fall behind in his classes due to being absent for three consecutive days."

Despite McGhee's assertion that her son's inquiry was innocent, school administrators deemed the term offensive to Hispanic students, raising concerns about disciplinary measures and freedom of expression within educational settings. 

McGhee's family has engaged legal assistance, underscoring broader debates about the handling of sensitive language and disciplinary actions in schools.

As the student and his family navigate the fallout, State Senator Steve Jarvis (R-Davidson|) reached out to school officials, reflecting the ongoing debate of free speech and educational policies amid growing interest in alternative education options like the Opportunity Scholarship program in North Carolina.