Controversy after principal makes two boys hold hands in public after fight

**tjbdlmn** · 12-03-2012, 05:33 PM

Two students at Westwood High School in Mesa, Arizona were punished for fighting by being forced to hold hands. The principal is now at the center of an argument over whether his punishment was outside the box or wrong. More from NBC Latino: http://nbcnews.to/TIQ5t0

Was the principal right or wrong in this case? Did the punishment go too far?

**Remedy** · 12-03-2012, 05:36 PM

I see nothing wrong with it.

Any issues that could be brought up about it, will exist only in the minds of the complainers.

**JLynn** · 12-03-2012, 05:40 PM

you can't please everyone.

**Kramer** · 12-04-2012, 06:13 AM

Will read in a bit. How old were they?

**Kramer** · 12-04-2012, 10:25 AM

Controversy after principal makes two boys hold hands in public after fight

A principal is under fire in Arizona after his method of “punishment by humiliation” has left many upset.

Students named Julio and Charles of Westwood High School in Mesa, Arizona, were brought to Principal Tim Richards after a fist fight and presented with two choices. They could either be suspended — or they could hold hands for an hour in front of fellow students.

The high school duo conferred and decided to hold hands, as students laughed at them and uploaded pictures to social media sites while they sat in chairs outside with their faces covered.

Now Richards has been criticized by the Mesa school district, which released a statement criticizing his actions.

“The district does not condone the choice of in-school discipline given these students, regardless of their acceptance or willingness to participate,” the statement said. “District leadership will address this matter with the school principal, and review district protocol regarding student discipline with all administrators.”

Many took to Twitter to criticize Richards, saying he was encouraging bullying and homophobia by insinuating that being gay and holding hands is an embarrassment.