Kids Sent Home For Wearing American Flag

[dunng]

[KenyanSandBoa]

Wow...that is just sad.

[md4958]

I must have missed the memo where May 5th became a national holiday... I guess I better start paying closer attention.

[mosesbotbol]

Maybe some personal knowledge on the students involved may sway the opinion on those who say the students should be able to wear the American flag? You have to consider the safety of all the students, not a few's "freedom of speech". How about getting some A's on their tests first?

I am probably on the principal's side, but my better half is a high school teacher in one of the toughest cities in New England, so I see it his decision from an administrative stand point.

Is wearing a Germany shirt distasteful or inciting at a school with a large Jewish community on Holocaust Remembrance Day? What about the Confederate Flag on MLK day? Neither are in their own context are bad, but when used in a specific setting breaks the fiber and order of the school.

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

Is wearing a Germany shirt distasteful or inciting at a school with a large Jewish community on Holocaust Remembrance Day? What about the Confederate Flag on MLK day? Neither are in their own context are bad, but when used in a specific setting breaks the fiber and order of the school.

Hmmm....

I don't think the German flag carries any bad stigma with Jewish folks, the Swastika on the other hand...

Also, the Confederate flag carries a notoriously bad stigma with it because of the KKK and White Supremacist groups, so I'd say that's in bad taste.

With that said, I don't feel it is ever in bad taste to wear the American flag on your clothing in THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Maybe I am just a grouchy Veteran who sees nothing wrong with wearing the flag of your country, in YOUR country any day of the year.

Originally Posted by Darrell

Hmmm....

I don't think the German flag carries any bad stigma with Jewish folks, the Swastika on the other hand...

Also, the Confederate flag carries a notoriously bad stigma with it because of the KKK and White Supremacist groups, so I'd say that's in bad taste.

With that said, I don't feel it is ever in bad taste to wear the American flag on your clothing in THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Maybe I am just a grouchy Veteran who sees nothing wrong with wearing the flag of your country, in YOUR country any day of the year.

Your not just a grouchy Veteran Darrell I agree with your opinion though. No one is going to tell me not to wear my Country's colors, on any day of the year.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by ChicagoWhiteSox

Your not just a grouchy Veteran Darrell I agree with your opinion though. No one is going to tell me not to wear my Country's colors, on any day of the year.

You're not a minor in an institution. Schools have dress codes and they can forbid any kind of dress or colors they deem necessary.

You have to differentiate school from the street.

***********

All public schools should go to strict shirt/tie uniforms to avoid these situations. It's less expensive on the parents and most people think uniforms create a better environment for learning.

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

You're not a minor in an institution. Schools have dress codes and they can forbid any kind of dress or colors they deem necessary.
You have to differentiate school from the street.

***********

Actually this is not completely accurate Moses. Being in school doesnt mean the students give up all of their civil rights. It's true that they are lessened to some extent however.

[NeuRon]

This is America.. Land of the free...

Is it not?

[Wolfgang]

From what I understand (and please correct me) Cinco de Mayo while claimed Mexico Independence day is actually false. Mexico's Independence day is September 27th. When their Independence was declared from Spain Following a war with France.

P.S. Someone burned a Mexican Flag in Arizona (I believe) and was taken to prison. While Those who burn an American Flag here in America are hailed a heroes. Go figgure......

@ Akumushi: A holiday created by Corona and a Holiday to honor those we have lost in battle are not on the same plane. Get into laws all you want but excluding wearing a t-shirt on specific day seams to be pushing it. I know there is racial tension everywhere but shouldn't the administration not necessarily be afraid of the students?

[E.J.]

Guess I am in the minority, but if kids are doing something that is clearly designed to antagonize other classmates, I have no issue with the school asking you to change.

It appears to me, that is exactly what this is....

Originally Posted by E.J.

Guess I am in the minority, but if kids are doing something that is clearly designed to antagonize other classmates, I have no issue with the school asking you to change.

It appears to me, that is exactly what this is....

They were not clearly trying to antagonize anyone.

As far as the reports, no one seems to think they were either.

Originally Posted by ChicagoWhiteSox

They were not clearly trying to antagonize anyone.

As far as the reports, no one seems to think they were either.

And these reports came from where?

Originally Posted by mariogolbee

And these reports came from where?

Lis Wiehl, a former federal prosecutor.

Eugene Volokh, a professor of law at the University of California-Los Angeles.

[E.J.]

Originally Posted by ChicagoWhiteSox

They were not clearly trying to antagonize anyone.

As far as the reports, no one seems to think they were either.

Again, I am fine to be in the minority and am not asking you to come to my way of thinking.... I could not care less if you agree or what the reports stated....

Not for one minute do I think these fashionistas were just wearing their flag shirts and bandannas as part of their school clothing rotation.... With that, I think their exact motive was to antagonize....

I just don't think there is a place for that at school.....

[Bigwaved]

Originally Posted by E.J.

Again, I am fine to be in the minority and am not asking you to come to my way of thinking.... I could not care less if you agree or what the reports stated....

Not for one minute do I think these fashionistas were just wearing their flag shirts and bandannas as part of their school clothing rotation.... With that, I think their exact motive was to antagonize....

I just don't think there is a place for that at school.....

Like I said about intent being lost in the symbolism of the flag...if they were not being antagonistic, then they really, really ignorant of their surroundings and that funny little thing called a calendar. Again, was the decision by the vice-principal the best one? It may or may not have been. That is something that all of the people at the school should have more insight on than any of us or others reporting on it so far. Many variables could be involved in this. Maybe, just maybe, their is more to this than what it seems on the surface, from afar.

Originally Posted by Bigwaved

Like I said about intent being lost in the symbolism of the flag...if they were not being antagonistic, then they really, really ignorant of their surroundings and that funny little thing called a calendar. Again, was the decision by the vice-principal the best one? It may or may not have been. That is something that all of the people at the school should have more insight on than any of us or others reporting on it so far. Many variables could be involved in this. Maybe, just maybe, their is more to this than what it seems on the surface, from afar.

I think more info surfacing will help.

Also, another thing to think about: This school in Cali, how many of them are Americans? You would think that they would be fine with the American Flag also present, no? I mean, it is America after all, and it is an American school.

We were discussing history and how it affects the symbolism and politics of a nation in my Political Science class today. After a story of someone wearing a Hitler costume on Halloween to a class with a Jewish professor, and wearing a KKK outfit to a class with an African American professor, our professor brought up this topic. Although it is not as blunt as the other two stories given, the point was still quite obvious. A possibly volatile situation is was dealt with before it had a chance to escalate. With the racial profiling and immigration laws of recent years and especially as of late going on today the message the boys were sending was obviously of an aggressive nature. Before one blames the principal for his actions they should try walking in his shoes first.

America is a beautiful melting pot comprised of it's diverse population. The various ethnic and cultural backgrounds which makes up America should all be respected and well treated.

Instead of spending so much energy on this topic take a poke at some of these folks.
http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/hate-map

P.S. Why is this thread still open? It is clearly political.

[Wolfgang]

Originally Posted by mariogolbee

P.S. Why is this thread still open? It is clearly political.

Id say more Racial but YMMV

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by mariogolbee

.

America is a beautiful melting pot comprised of it's diverse population. The various ethnic and cultural backgrounds which makes up America should all be respected and well treated..

Well said, Mario.