The high school student whose senior quote quoting President Trump caused the school to confiscate all student yearbooks says she is not sorry for defending her right to free speech and is “disappointed” in the school for their reaction to her quote.
The principal at Richmond Early College High School, a public high school located in Hamlet, North Carolina, recently confiscated all yearbooks after several “inappropriate” quotes were found, including one quote placed in the yearbook by senior Miranda Taylor that read, “Build that wall.”
Speaking to the Richmond County Daily Journal, Taylor said that while attending high school, the school had been “encouraging all of us for the past four years to develop our minds as young adults.”
Taylor said she was inspired to think about politics by taking an American history course during her time in high school.
She told the Daily Journal, “While taking an American History class, several of us became interested politics.”
“The elections this past year made us more aware as young adults that this is our world and we have a say so in it. It made us realize how privileged we are in this country to choose our leaders. It also made us realize that not everyone shares the same opinion,” she explained.
Because high school spawned her interest in politics, Taylor said she is “disappointed” with her school system for their response to her quote.
“Here is where I must show my disappointment with the Richmond Early College and the Richmond County School System,” she explained. “At no time was it ever mentioned to me that my quote was not acceptable. The yearbooks were handed out on Monday, May 8 and were taken up that same day.”
She continued, “Again, I am disappointed that the same system that encouraged me to find my voice is now telling me to shut up.”
“Because of those statements, social media has now decided that I am prejudiced, racist, and have no right to freedom of speech. I have been (threatened) by hundreds of people that I don’t even know, just because I quoted our president,” she said.
“While I am sorry that my classmates and I will not have a yearbook, I can honestly say that I am not sorry for defending my freedom of speech,” Taylor added. “I have always been taught that when I am given a choice, it is up to me to make that choice. I will choose God and my country every time.”
While Richmond County Schools said there were “several” quotes they determined to be “inappropriate,” Taylor’s quote was the only one mentioned.
Taylor graduated high school the day before she granted her interview to the Daily Journal to speak about her situation.
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