FIRST vs Free Speech

[JamalBendkowski]

Flash back to March 3, 2016. My team (which will remain anonymous) was participating in the San Diego regional for FIRST Stronghold. All was well until a FIRST Volunteer pulled me aside while I was in the pits. He took issue with the political statement my clothing made and didn't let me back inside the pits until I changed. For reference, this is what I had on.

He told me he would've "let it slide" if it were any old other pair, but not with THAT person on them. He was Hispanic as well, I'm just including that because it's relevant information and he might have been discriminatory towards me because of that (I was wearing a button that said "BUILD THE WALL!" as well, courtesy of our button maker.)

His behavior left an absolutely rotten taste in my mouth and a lot of people on my team are concerned that this shows FIRST is leaning towards an Anti-Free Speech position. This seems really counter-intuitive considering FRC is supposed to help prepare you better for going into the real world; when you see somebody with an opinion you don't share, you can't just make them go away; you either talk it out, or you ignore that person. FIRST Volunteers should exemplify good behavior, not throw it out the window.

Also, if the moderators close this thread because it's 'uncomfortable,' then I guess we all know where they stand on free speech and open discussion.