Help Me Convice Someone D&D Isn't Evil

[Creamsteak]

Well, I support moving to bring some of the many research documents and groups into it, simply for letters sake. Between the two big groups already noted, the research some of these links have provided, and the stance the AP has taken, I no-longer doubt it would take more than two weeks and 100 sheets of paper.

And I've never met an AP that loved kids since I've started High-School. The Middle School and Elementry Principals have that outlook, but most of the ones at my school have a habit of taking things too far. Some have put the school in lock down (all doors are locked) for weeks because a student stabed himself (through his entire hand) with a pencil. We've had class color day removed because a Freshmen intentionally (Blanked) a senior's locker, and started a fight. And lastly, a kid who came to school drunk put the soda machines out of the door. I don't see the logic...

 

[Dinkeldog]

*snip*And I've never met an AP that loved kids since I've started High-School. The Middle School and Elementry Principals have that outlook, but most of the ones at my school have a habit of taking things too far. Some have put the school in lock down (all doors are locked) for weeks because a student stabed himself (through his entire hand) with a pencil. We've had class color day removed because a Freshmen intentionally (Blanked) a senior's locker, and started a fight. And lastly, a kid who came to school drunk put the soda machines out of the door. I don't see the logic...

The logic is easy. You punish the group for the actions of the individual and the group punishes the individual more than the authority figure can.

 

[Creamsteak]

True, I don't like getting punished for others actions. I'm not about to get juvenile and go after them myself, however, as I don't see the point.

 

[Emiricol]

Career bureaucrats (of any stripe) are rarely out for anyone's best interest but their own, in my experience. That's why they are bureaucrats.

Teachers, on the other hand, are as often as not in it for the best interest of the kids.

 

[Alustreil]

Gaming Female's PoV

As the lone female in my gaming group for almsot 10 years, who is now married to another gamer (vagabonddm), I'd like to throw my 2 cents in as well.
Vagabond and I have 3 children, with a 4th on the way. Our oldest son and daughter love RPG's.. they are 7 and 4. With gaming we've found a way to enhance creativity and imagination while encouraging them to read.
Neither my husband nor myself are recluses. We are both well respected and well-liked at work. A far cry from the shy kid I was in jr high.
Gamers seem to have a better view of themselves in the sense of "i'm different, okay and?" Instead of islating themselves because they feel different, they isolate themselve because they realize that a lot of people they deal with are idiots. Law of the land anymore.

My high school would have adored this post's starter. And I went to a college prep high school who had a strong emphasis on religion. However, they never seemed to let what a person's religion was interfere with *who* that person was.

I would gain parental assistance and check into the laws that have been mentioned. Also compile some evidence on adults who are in high places now, who used to game. Many high-school gamers grow up to be extremely sucessful people. Maybe it's because we excelled at those 3 am, caffiene-induced, "I'm going to beat this thing or else" sessions that we have. Perhaps its because we have to be creative in figuring out how to get by the dragon who thinks that we elves would make decent toothpicks. Or perhaps it's because we accept those that are different instead of trying to shame it into disappearing. Whatever it is, gaming creaties diversity, which is something to be appreciated, not quashed. And that's something *any* adult in the school system should be made to appreciate, even if the parents and their children together need to bring it forward at a school board meeting to make sure it isn't missed.

A pregnant gamer mom's two cents.

 

[NoOneofConsequence]

Christian Perspective

I wasn't going to post here because I dreaded what was being said about me - not me personally, of course, but people like me.

Anubis - here's your fundamentalist Christian who "wouldn't dare" post here.

But, back to what I feel I can contribute.

If your AP's objections are religiously based then all the scientific data in the world may not avail you much at all. However, there are alternatives.

There are tons of Christian gamers in the world. Some of them are here at enworld. More importantly is the fact that lots of them are in the Christian Gamer's Guild on the web. These people have it as one of their missions to correct the mistaken negative beliefs of groups like BADD. The CGG would be a fantastic ally if your AP is genuinely Christian. Not only do they game, but their website has some excellent stuff refuting other negative christian material. This stuff has the advantage that it will talk her language.

Be warned though, your AP may be be a knee-jerk conservative who uses the descriptor "christian" to justify a political agenda. In that case even CGG will be no use.

And I've got to say that the advice to "not make it about DnD, it's about your AP's attitude" strikes me as foolish. If you challenge her decision because you want a chance to explain and to let her see she doesn't have to worry as much about gaming, you've got a chance of changing her mind. But if you challenge her personally, she'll think you're just a kid who "needs to grow up a bit". You'll get nowhere. Opponents can be easily dismissed - reasonable individuals with reasonable positions are much harder to dismiss. And if this thing has to go to another authority - Principal, School Board, whatever - if you've been non-confrontational from the start, you'll look like the reasonable party being subjected to an abuse of power.

The alternative is they'll think you're just a whiny kid - it's not fair but it is how adults think a lot of the time.

 

[bolen]

I am afraid I still disagree. It seems to me you dont need a HS club to play games. You obviously can't play sports or have a play at your home, you can do this at home. Invite people to your house or play at a library. This is not worth making a stink about it. Why open this bag of worms?

 

[mythago]

Libel on an internet messageboard is still libel, and as it stands now you could certainly be convicted of it.

Huh? Libel is not a crime; it's actionable at law, i.e. you can bring a lawsuit for libel, but you don't go to jail for it.

"My assistant principal is a D&D-hating bitch" is not libel.

Opponents can be easily dismissed - reasonable individuals with reasonable positions are much harder to dismiss.

Opponents backed up by the full force of Federal law are even harder to dismiss. I'm sorry to keep sounding like a broken record here, but really, what is the issue? That the AP will not permit a D&D gaming group. Full stop, end of issue. This issue is addressed by the Equal Access Act.

Now, of COURSE it would be wonderful to provide the school adminstration with pro-gaming research, to explain to them exactly what D&D is and why it is a Good Thing, and so forth. But these are merely nice things to do after the #1 goal--getting to hold the gaming group--is accomplished.

 

[Trevalon Moonleirion]

Well bolen, if I wanted to only play at home, we wouldn't be having this thread, now would we...?

Your input is appreciated, though I must disagree with you as well.

 

[bolen]

How about a room at the library. I am sure you could find a place outside of school that you would not have these problems. I just dont believe in fighting windmills if you don't have to.