A "Twerking" video created by high school students in San Diego is the topic of controversy as 33 of the teenagers were suspended for violating the school's sexual harassment policy.
The students at Scripps Ranch High School are facing disciplinary action for the provocative video and may be prohibited from attending both prom and graduation.
According to Urban Dictionary, the term "twerking" is defined as the following: "Also known as dirty dancing. When a woman slams her bottom on a man's pelvic area while dancing. The man can also lunge his pelvic area for a harder bang. This [sic] usually performed in a dance club along with upbeat music."
The video in question seems to fit the definition of the provocative dance move as the students are shown performing suggestive dance moves against walls and other surfaces on school property, where the video was shot and edited.
Some reports reveal that 33 students — 28 girls and 3 boys — were suspended for the "twerking" video, while school board member Kevin Beiser says that 31 students were suspended.
All of the students facing disciplinary action were suspended less than a week after the controversial video made its YouTube debut.
According to U-T San Diego newspaper, the video "apparently violates the school's sexual harassment policy that prohibits verbal, visual or physical conduct of sexual nature."
But the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU, does not agree with the school administration's punishment.
"Unfortunately, the administration at Scripps Ranch High School's hasty response to its students' dance video is reflective of a national trend toward unreasonable, overly hard, and counterproductive disciplinary measures," said Margaret Dooley-Sammuli, senior policy advocate for the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties.
"We want young people in school so they can learn and become successful and productive members of the community. What is gained by removing 31 students from the classroom, their prom, and even, possibly, their own graduation? It serves no purpose for the student, the teacher, or the community to keep children from learning."
District officials plan to discuss the student punishments during a May 14 meeting.
"I want to make sure I am comfortable that the facts and activity warrant the consequences," said school board member Scott Barnett.