Black defends school discipline in dissent from the armband ruling
Hugo BlackAssociate justice dissenting
Black defends school discipline in dissent from the armband ruling.
“School discipline, like parental discipline, is an integral and important part of training our children to be good citizens - to be better citizens.”
Original text
Where this statement fits
Tinker v. Des Moines: Supreme Court protects antiwar armbands; Black dissents
In Tinker v. Des Moines, the Supreme Court held on February 24, 1969, that public-school officials could not prohibit the students' quiet antiwar armbands on the record before it. Justice Abe Fortas wrote that the schools lacked evidence supporting a forecast of substantial disruption or interference with others' rights. Justice Hugo Black dissented, arguing that distraction and school discipline justified the authorities' decision. Justice John Marshall Harlan also dissented, favoring greater deference to school officials unless an improper motive was shown. The Court reversed and remanded, 7-2.
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Original text
About this source
The Court reversed and remanded, 7-2. The case concerns public-school armbands and the justification for restricting student expression.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Black argues that political demonstration distracted students from lessons and implicates school discipline.
After the quotation
He rejects the conclusion that the Constitution requires schools to surrender control.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Relative to the school prohibition and discipline, Black would sustain the authorities' power and objects to judicial displacement of their control.
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More from this case
Read the full caseFortas opinion rejects fear alone as a basis for the armband ban
“undifferentiated fear or apprehension of disturbance is not enough to overcome the right to freedom of expression.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Black defends school discipline in dissent from the armband ruling". First published: 2026-10-31. Last updated: 2026-10-31. https://disputeindex.com/events/7476-black-defends-school-discipline-in-dissent-from-the