View Full Version : Cinco de Mayo vs American Flag
NBC Bay Area: On any other day at Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill, Daniel Galli and his four friends would not even be noticed for wearing t-shirts with the American flag. But Cinco de Mayo is not any typical day especially on a campus with a large Mexican American student population.
Galli says he and his friends were sitting at a table during brunch break when the Vice Principal asked two of the boys to remove American flag bandannas that they wearing on their heads and for the others to turn their American flag t-shirts inside-out. When they refused, the boys were ordered to go to the principal’s office.
“They said we could wear it on any other day, but today is sensitive to Mexican Americans because it’s supposed to be their holiday so we were not allowed to wear it today,” Daniel Galli said.
Some Mexican students said they were offended by the American flag shirts being worn on Cinco de Mayo. I wonder, if Mexico is so wonderful and America is so offensive, what are they doing here?
blue02hd
05-06-2010, 08:18
I wonder if this would happen in Arizona?
http://news.yahoo.com/video/local-15749667/19585803
Utah Bob
05-06-2010, 08:26
Hmmmm....5 kids with identical t-shirts and bandanas? looks like they were trying to get some attention.
Ret10Echo
05-06-2010, 08:29
Hmmmm....5 kids with identical t-shirts and bandanas? looks like they were trying to get some attention.
All that "American" stuff...they were probably militia
Wish one of them was my kid... Cha Ching $$$$
Defender968
05-06-2010, 09:15
Hmmmm....5 kids with identical t-shirts and bandanas? looks like they were trying to get some attention.
Yea if there were in OK they'd be getting investigated for being a gang/militia!
Were I one of these kids parents we'd have a lawyer and I'd be after that Vice principals job...freaking unbelievable :mad:
I don't care what day it is/was if the 1st amendment protects hipply freaks burning and walking on old glory it certainly protects anyone wearing the American flag anywhere they want on any day they want....
To the VP of that school......THIS IS NOT MEXICO, people are allowed to celebrate whatever they want, but if they want to raise hell when they feel their day is disrespected....then they can suffer the consequences….do not pass go…go directly to jail. You don't take away someone else’s rights just to appease some little $#!?heads. If they feel that strongly about the cinco de mayo I'd just as soon they move to Mexico and celebrate it there, because if they're willing to assault someone else based on their feelings of loyalty to another country we don't need them here.
ZonieDiver
05-06-2010, 09:25
I wonder if this would happen in Arizona?
It could in my HS! My principal drives a Prius with an Obama-Biden sticker. She dedicated a staff restroom, with a key, for a "transgender" student (pre-op). She gets, and passes along, emails from Aztlan movement people.
Yeah... it could happen here.
Hmmmm....5 kids with identical t-shirts and bandanas? looks like they were trying to get some attention.
Live Oak Dress Code here - http://liveoakhs.ca.campusgrid.net/home/About+Live+Oak/Policies+and+Procedures?file=dress_code.htm
Most schools don't allow bandanas - anti-gang related (see Dress Code).
Context is missing regarding the student's behavior/remarks at school but IMO they were purposefully seeking attention and, thus, their actions (for unclear reasons) became and were distracting to the learning environment (see Dress Code).
The Asst-Principal did not handle the situation well.
It was yet another slow news day
MOO - these guys showing up wearing bandanas (see Dress Code) and the shirts shown meant they were seeking attention for whatever reason(s) - and they got it.
And so it goes...:rolleyes:
Richard
MOO - these guys showing up wearing bandanas (see Dress Code) and the shirts shown meant they were seeking attention for whatever reason(s) - and they got it.
And so it goes...:rolleyes:
Richard
But does that make it wrong?? getting attention by wearing the flag doesn't seem like a punk move to me. They were probably making a statement, but I think its a good one and worth making. Cinco de mayo is not a high holy day.
The real shame is that the offended kids see themselves as mexicans and not Americans.
Utah Bob
05-06-2010, 10:26
You have to be kind of careful about people's holidays. How about the Chinese New Year? All Saints day? Tet? How about St Patricks Day? There are plenty of ethnic holidays observed in this country. They don't bother me. Some of them I find interesting and fun.
Nobody said CDM was a high holy day. Mostly just a harmless celebration.
Would these kids wear their t-shirts and bandannas on St Pats day? Probably not.
DJ Urbanovsky
05-06-2010, 10:33
I've really been working at moderating my use of profanity lately, but I'm not going to do that right now: Eff those Mexican students, and eff that principal. The flag of the country you're fortunate enough to reside in, arguably the country in the world that has the most freedom, offends your tender sensibilities? Maybe you should GTFO. I'd have told that principal where he can stick it.
If someone is concerned about some kids who might wearing the flag of the nation they live in to make some kind of a political statement, perhaps they might consider shifting their gaze to the other kids wearing the flag of a foreign nation, who might also be doing it to make a political statement.
America certainly isn't perfect, but our nation is a product of the hard work and dedication of our people. We come from many diverse cultures and unify under one flag. There are factions out there that would see us divided or would subvert our culture so that it looks more like theirs.
I've said before that I recognize and appreciate strong roots to one's culture. Be proud of where you came from. But don't foist your culture upon me. If I want to participate, I'll do it on my own.
Those Mexican students, I wonder if they've ever considered which direction most of the migratory traffic travels across our southern border, and why?
These guys came to school in flagrant violation of the school's Dress Code and looking for attention - a chance to be the 'cool' guys of the moment among their peers - and when they got the attention they were seeking and became a distractor to the learning process (which further violated the school's code) and then refused to compromise, they recceived a bit more attention than they had anticipated. Such is life.
IMO - the school could have handled it better but the kids were not entirely innocent in this 'mole hill' of a non-affair, either.
Anybody who has ever had to deal wth such issues as either a school administrator or teacher would understand.
I wonder which parent called the local news. :confused:
And so it goes...
Richard's $.02 :munchin
The only thing identical in their clothing were stars and stripes. The violation, bandannas were a violation of code, but it was refusal to turn their t-shirts inside out that seems to be the primary incident. They were also told they could wear those items any other day, but not the 5th of May.
Mexican students were carrying flags and wearing colors and flag clothing as well.
Now I think incendiary would have been wearing French flagged clothing. But I wouldn't have been surprised that Mexican students here wouldn't have known the reason.
Interesting one of the boys sent home is son of a legal immigrant.
1stindoor
05-06-2010, 11:02
I agree they were seeking attention...and they got it; they probably should have stuck with the T-shirt and not the bandanas. However, that still doesn't change the fact that they were exercising their freedom to wear what they wanted. My question would be if they did not wear anything inciteful yet protested the hispanic students choice of clothing on May 5th...would it still be news? Probably not, I suspect the administrators would have explained the sensative nature of their "holiday" and how we have a responsibility to promote it...with extended happy hour at the bar and reduced prices on tequila and dos equis.
sneakypete
05-06-2010, 11:07
Let em fly :D
Principal's email address:
Nick.Boden@mhu.k12.ca.us
Asst Principal:
Miguel.Rodriguez@mhu.k12.ca.us
Now this makes the most sense to me.
If these school administrators would take the time to learn about Cinco de Mayo, they'd possibly understand that U.S. flags, as well as Mexican flags, are appropriate to the celebration. It's not Mexican Independence Day and, honestly, Cinco de Mayo is more widely celebrated on this side of the border. With the help of U.S. troops (and Texas-born General Zaragosa) the Mexicans were able to defeat the French at Puebla on May 5, 1862. It is a significant holiday for Americans to celebrate, too. This battle halted the French, one of the most powerful world forces at the time, from advancing their army further across North America and north to the U.S.
While the U.S. flag is appropriate ANY day in our country, it is 'especially' appropriate for Cinco de Mayo. - Marquisha Washington, Opinion - Washington Examiner
Even though the French were in Mexico supposedly for debt collection and the battle seems more a result of misunderstandings and bumbling.
It's true, it is, or should be, more a Mexican-American holiday than a Mexican holiday, like Pulaski day.
DJ Urbanovsky
05-06-2010, 11:11
Kids do things like this. For that matter, so do adults. Back in my Army days, Ranger rolling your cover was all the rage. Command said no Ranger rolls unless you had a Ranger tab. Some guys without tabs thought they were special, but that didn't last long.
Richard, I can appreciate that insofar as the bandannas are concerned. If you can't wear bandannas, you can't wear bandannas. Fine. But the turning inside out of the shirts goes too far. That's our flag, man! That's us. Our flag isn't something to be offended by, it's something to be proud of.
These guys came to school in flagrant violation of the school's Dress Code and looking for attention - a chance to be the 'cool' guys of the moment among their peers - and when they got the attention they were seeking and became a distractor to the learning process (which further violated the school's code) and then refused to compromise, they recceived a bit more attention than they had anticipated. Such is life.
IMO - the school could have handled it better but the kids were not entirely innocent in this 'mole hill' of a non-affair, either.
Anybody who has ever had to deal wth such issues as either a school administrator or teacher would understand.
I wonder which parent called the local news. :confused:
And so it goes...
Richard's $.02 :munchin
Guys,
We're all making points and offering assumptions based on what was reported in the news and without knowing what was left out - e.g., did these kids do/say anything beyond their clothing choices to goad their peers and foster a situation which became distracting to the point nobody was paying attention to their schooling and everybody was carrying on about the situation which had been created.
From long experience of such matters, I suspect there was a lot more to the story than any of us know.
BTDT - far too many times. ;)
Richard's $.02 :munchin
greenberetTFS
05-06-2010, 12:29
Guys,
We're all making points and offering assumptions based on what was reported in the news and without knowing what was left out - e.g., did these kids do/say anything beyond their clothing choices to goad their peers and foster a situation which became distracting to the point nobody was paying attention to their schooling and everybody was carrying on about the situation which had been created.
From long experience of such matters, I suspect there was a lot more to the story than any of us know.
BTDT - far too many times.
Richard's $.02
Richard,
You know I have a deep respect for your opinions on such manners, I'm sorry I can't go along with you on this one............ :( My response is thank God we have young men who still are willing to "show the colors".......... :) You were a principal and I want to believe you would have responded in a different manner towards these young men...........:D
Big Teddy :munchin
Watched the news linked video and read about CDM's origins.
So it was an American/Mexican victory over the French?
That makes it a Mexican/American Celibration?
I saw where they had cultural dancers at the school that day.
So if its a day of celibration did they have any gringo cultural events? Did they have any kids wearing Mexican Flag clothing? Were they also kicked out?
Maybe they need a school program on the 4th detailing the 5th's history - the true history.
Maybe some kids should wear a French Flag on April 30th.
Utah Bob
05-06-2010, 15:18
IMO - the school could have handled it better but the kids were not entirely innocent in this 'mole hill' of a non-affair, either.
And so it goes...
Richard's $.02 :munchin
Agree
Ret10Echo
05-06-2010, 16:22
I am trying to think of how to insert a joke about the white T-shirt in here...:cool:
Only if it is tied to a stick....
Only if it is tied to a stick....
No white flags that day
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Camar%C3%B3n
Interestingly, the items worn by the students do not comply with federal law on the display of the American flag <<LINK (http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/4/usc_sec_04_00000008----000-.html)>>.
The fact that the students in question did not know these guidelines adds to my conviction that the gesture was less about a display of patriotism than about high school students being high school students.
YMMV.
You were a principal and I want to believe you would have responded in a different manner towards these young men...
First - I would have sought to gather all relevant facts bearing on the matter brought before me - which this thread does not have - and then, based upon the results, I would have...TBD. ;)
And so it goes...
Richard's $.02 :munchin
PS - MOO - but the choice of wording for the title of this thread is inflammatorily biased and is not reflective of the situation encountered by the school as presented.
Ret10Echo
05-06-2010, 18:20
No white flags that day
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Camar%C3%B3n
légionnaire
Article 7
In combat you act without passion or hatred. You respect vanquished enemies. You never surrender your dead, your wounded, or your weapons.
longrange1947
05-06-2010, 18:46
My question is were these kids kicked out?
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local-beat/Flag-T-shirt-Controversy-Day-Two-92988244.html
No Richard, I do not agree, The vice principal that approached was Latino, My question is, did he provoke through his attitude of a misunderstood celebration that means more now then it used to mean.
I understand and appreciate your experience. I also understood and appreciated my daughters experiences as a teacher. Does not mean that your perspective is always correct. I am tired of this one way street we are now on at appeasing only the other side and punishing only our side.
My opinion and unfortunately here lately "so it goes".
Let em fly
Principal's email address:
Nick.Boden@mhu.k12.ca.us
Asst Principal:
Miguel.Rodriguez@mhu.k12.ca.us
Thanks :D
uboat509
05-07-2010, 08:28
I tend to agree with Richard on this one. I think that in this case, motive may be more important than the action. If they were using our flag just to stir up touble rather than because they truly believed in what it stands for, that does not make them any more right than the school officials. I don't have a background in education like some others here but my gut is telling me that there is a lot more to this story. Bottom line, our flag is not a toy to be pulled out so that you can amuse yourself by stirring up controversy. If something comes out that shows that these kids were patriots who wanted to show their patriotism then I will retract my statement.
Interestingly, the items worn by the students do not comply with federal law on the display of the American flag <<LINK (http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/4/usc_sec_04_00000008----000-.html)>>.
The fact that the students in question did not know these guidelines adds to my conviction that the gesture was less about a display of patriotism than about high school students being high school students.
YMMV.
That violation would apply to a great number of citizens who ignorant of the Code, simply want to display their support, patriotism, pride, of the country. But I get your point.
For that matter it could apply to the White House use for background.
Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker’s desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general.
Seems the controversy grows. Students leaving class to "march for respect" threats against schools with similar names and parents keeping their kids at home. Also the servers for the local papers online are overloaded.
If the original intent was to grab attention they're getting it.
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local-beat/School-District-American-Flag-Clothing-Incident-Extremely-Unfortunate-93065324.html
TrapLine
05-07-2010, 10:20
I guess I might be out of touch, but IMHO it is a sad day in the history of this country when the Red, White, and Blue is being referred to as controversial or incendiary on our soil. :(
bandycpa
05-07-2010, 12:27
FOXNews.com article:
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/05/07/tensions-high-california-high-school-following-flag-flap/print
Tensions High at California High School Following Flag Flap
Tensions are rising at a California high school where five students were sent home for wearing American flag T-shirts on Cinco de Mayo.
More than 200 Hispanic students reportedly skipped class on Thursday and marched to school district headquarters while chanting "we want respect" and "si se puede" -- "yes we can" -- the Morgan Hill Times reported.
(add from Bandy - How much more respect do you want?)
"We did this to support the Latino/Hispanic community," Francine Roa, a 2005 Live Oak High School graduate, told the newspaper.
At least six Morgan Hill police vehicles traveled alongside the students, many of whom carried Mexican flags. No arrests were made related to the march, the newspaper reported.
Police have been told to be on alert for gang-related retaliation against the boys, according to Ken Jones, whose stepson, Daniel Galli, was one of the students who refused to turn their T-shirts inside-out when asked by a vice principal on Wednesday.
"We just want this whole thing to die down," Jones told FoxNews.com. "We're not trying to keep these flames firing."
The five teens -- Galli, Austin Carvalho, Matt Dariano, Dominic Maciel and Clayton Howard -- were sitting at a table outside Live Oak High School Wednesday morning when Assistant Principal Miguel Rodriguez asked two of them to remove their American flag bandannas, one of the boys' parents told FoxNews.com. The youths complied, but were asked to accompany Rodriguez to the principal's office.
The students were then told they must turn their T-shirts inside-out or be sent home, though it would not be considered a suspension. Rodriguez told the students he did not want any fights to break out between Mexican-American students celebrating their heritage and those wearing American flags, the parent said.
(add from Bandy - Why did he feel the need to do that? Had something similar happened before?)
But Jones said the preemptive action was unnecessary, and that Rodriguez "overstepped his bounds."
"The issue was, there was nothing going on," Jones told Fox News on Friday. "There was no sense of violence at all amongst the students, there was no conversation, there was no bullying.
"We just feel like the vice principal overstepped his bounds. He jumped in too quickly. We can understand he might be concerned something would happen, but there was no indication that was going to happen at all."
Officials at the high school, a 1,300-student institution in Santa Clara County, near San Jose, have not returned several messages seeking comment.
As of late Thursday, Jones said the five boys' parents have no plans to sue the school or Morgan Hill Unified School District, which has characterized the incident as "extremely unfortunate" and is conducting an ongoing investigation. Several attorneys have contacted the families offering to represent them pro bono, Jones said.
"We're keeping an open mind," he said. "We want to stand up for our First Amendment rights."
He said the families are seeking an apology from school officials and want the students' unexcused absences for leaving school to be expunged.
Galli said he frequently wears the American flag T-shirt to school and that he wasn't trying to incite any tension. Asked if he wore the shirt to make a statement related to the ongoing immigration debate, Galli said, "No, it had absolutely nothing to do with that."
District officials, meanwhile, sent a voicemail message in English and Spanish to all parents late Thursday.
"The Morgan Hill Unified School District does not prohibit nor do we discourage wearing patriotic clothing," the message from Superintendent Wesley Smith said. "The incident on May 5 at Live Oak High School is extremely unfortunate. While campus safety is our primary concern and administrators made decisions yesterday in an attempt to ensure campus safety, students should not, and will not, be disciplined for wearing patriotic clothing. This situation and our response are under review."
Asked if the district will be taking any steps to quell rising tensions at the school, a district official told FoxNews.com in an e-mail, "Our focus for [Thursday] was student safety. Students are safe and administrators are continuing to work through the investigation."
Eugene Volokh, a professor of law at UCLA, said the students are protected under California Education Code 48950, which prohibits schools from enforcing a rule subjecting a high school student to disciplinary sanctions solely on the basis of conduct that, when engaged outside of campus, is protected by the First Amendment.
If the school could point to previous incidents sparked by students who wore garments with American flags, they could argue that the flag is likely to lead to "substantial disruption," Volokh said.
"If, for example, there had been fights over similar things at past events, if there had been specific threats made. But if [school officials] just say, 'Well, we think it might be offensive to people,' that's generally speaking not enough."
Volokh said the students and their parents likely have a winning case on their hands if they decide to take the matter to court.
"Oh yes, it's almost open and shut," he said.
I think Richard has a point. Just judging from how the dots are lining up, the truth (as it is most times in life) is somewhere in the middle, and still has yet to be fully disclosed in this matter.
Bandy
ZonieDiver
05-07-2010, 13:56
All I can say is... I just love the end of a school year. Things ALWAYS get interesting. Or, to quote Roseann Roseanna Dana, "It just goes to show you, it's always something."
I think the V-P went too far, too soon. I can, however, understand his thinking in trying to be "pro-active" in this situation. It was one of those "damned if you do" and "damned if you don't... and something bad happens."
Oh... FIVE more days.
What Bugs me is just like the South Park Episode that was censored and the new show "JC" that will be airing.
It's the double standard of "being offended".
So 200 Latinos can skip school and march on the school HQ waving Mexican Flags? Because it's their Holiday.
So all the kids of southern heritage can stage a march on Confederate Memorial Day (number of days to pick from) and wave the Third National because it's their heritage?
Yeah, right. See how far that goes.
Maybe the teaching point should have been "This is America, you have no right to be free of being offended."
And so it goes...
Richard's jaded $.02 :munchin
-- OLD MAN RANT --
I just want to say one thing about anybody who says to an American citizen "If you don't [fill in the blank] then you need to leave."
And that one thing is this:
"Where are they supposed to go?"
THIS IS THE PLACE YOU GO TO!
This is the United States of America.
Where else in the world can you go?
This is the place where people go who want to live their lives without an official government religion, without a racial prejudice, without a government controlled press, with a right to keep and bear arms as a private person, this is the place people came when coming to America was as risky and final as a one way trip to a Martian colony.
I will never tell an American citizen "If you don't like it, leave."
The same is not true of any alien.
For them, "If you don't like it here, go to your own country."
-- END OLD MAN RANT --
The day that someone is offended by the Colors of these United States of America and others are asked to turn it inside out, remove it etc. is the day that the people who are offended need to get the hell out of this Country.
Surgicalcric
05-07-2010, 18:03
The day that someone is offended by the Colors of these United States of America and others are asked to turn it inside out, remove it etc. is the day that the people who are offended need to get the hell out of this Country.
Well said L, well said indeed.
Crip
A textbook example of how to make a mountain out of a molehill - classic.
Richard's jaded $.02 :munchin
So all the kids of southern heritage can stage a march on Confederate Memorial Day (number of days to pick from) and wave the Third National because it's their heritage? Every other fucking group is doing it! Just let me know so I be there in support.:D
I'll wear the US flag when and/or where ever I choose; don't like it? Bring lunch and a phone.:lifter
Stay safe.
This is the stupid that happens when you start all these sub-species.:D
You're AMERICAN first MFers!
An elementary school principal in Michigan is under investigation for authorizing a field trip last week for 30 black students to meet with an African-American rocket scientist. Students who are not black were excluded from the outing -- a possible violation of a state law that bans racial favoritism in public schools.
"The district is investigating the allegations of violation of the State of Michigan Proposal 2," a spokeswoman for the Ann Arbor, Mich., school district told FoxNews.com. "There was no ill-intent or malice in the principal and teachers planning this field trip," she added.
The principal, Mike Madison, who is black, said the trip was part of an effort to close the achievement gap between black and white students. But some parents whose children were not included say it clearly was illegal.
The controversy began last week when the 30 students, members of an African-American academic support group, were taken to hear the rocket scientist, Alec Gallimore, speak at the University of Michigan, where he is an aerospace engineering professor and propulsion lab director.
The goal of the trip, Madison said, was to close test score gaps and inspire the students to consider careers in the sciences.
But parents of students who were excluded protested, and the children who went on the trip were booed by their classmates when they returned to school.
Earlier this week, Madison tried to quash the controversy by sending a letter home to parents, in which he wrote:
"In hindsight, this field trip could have been approached and arranged in a better way.
"But as I reflect upon the look of excitement, enthusiasm and energy that I saw in these children's eyes as they stood in the presence of a renowned African American rocket scientist in a very successful position, it gave the kids an opportunity to see this type of achievement is possible for even them.
"It was not a wasted venture," he continued, "for I know one day they might want to aspire to be the first astronaut or scientist standing on the Planet Mars....
"The intent of our field trip was not to segregate or exclude students, as has been reported, but rather to address the societal issues, roadblocks and challenges that our African-American children will face as they pursue a successful academic education here in our community."
But Madison's explanation only fueled the controversy, and parental complaints turned into allegations that the school had violated Proposal 2, a newly enacted Michigan law that bans racial preference in public schools.
"If it was directed, guided, organized by the school district, they cannot say they are doing a field trip today for blacks only, or for whites only, or for Hispanics only or for Asians only," Leon Drolet, the former chairman of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, told the Detroit Free Press.
But district spokeswoman Liz Margolis said that bridging the gap in test scores between white and black students was a serious issue that legitimized the trip. Plus, she said, the field trip was paid for by a private donation.
"We don't feel that it at all violates (Proposal 2), but frankly, as with any group of students, if we identify a group of students that need support, we would be addressing that," Margolis told the Free Press.
"But we also have to have better education for our parents so they know why it's being done," she said.
A parent-teacher meeting to discuss the issue is scheduled for Thursday night.]Stay safe.
IMO - another molehill of an issue which - due to poor judgment and mishandling by all involved combined with the inflammatory assistance of the MSM on a slow news day - has become yet another smoldering volcano of perceived cultural importance and a threat to our patriotism, pride, and Constitutional rights.
As a retired HS principal, I have some empathy with the school's administration as I saw many instances of such behaviors over the years brought on by wearing sports team clothing, college clothing, military unit apparel, etc.
Based on my experience and what 'facts' we have been given, these Live Oak HS kids came to school seeking attention by provoking an issue which turned into more than they had imagined. The bandanas (a blatant violation of dress code and overt disrespect for the school's policies http://liveoakhs.ca.campusgrid.net/home/About+Live+Oak/Policies+and+Procedures) and the clothing were worn specifically for that reason - what's missing are any mention of what the kids in flag clothing may have been saying or doing to have brought it to the attention to the Asst-Principal and for the clothing to have become:
However, any clothing or decoration which detracts from the learning environment is prohibited. The school has the right to request that any student dressing inappropriately for school will change into other clothes, be sent home to change, and/or be subject to disciplinary action.
(http://liveoakhs.ca.campusgrid.net/home/About+Live+Oak/Policies+and+Procedures)
In my experience, there is more to the story than has been presented and - because of the situation as it now stands - we will probably neither hear it all nor be willing to listen to it if we do.
As for the clothing issue, we adults never seemed to be able to wholly predict what items of wearing apparel would become an issue among the students and I kept a number of neutral (no logos, pics, slogans, etc) or school logo polos and tees in my office for occasions like this one. If I deemed your clothing was either in violation of the dress code or disruptive to the learning environment (which covers a variety of issues, but generally when it had been brought forth by faculty who had first encountered disruptive behavior due to the clothing in their classrooms among students), you changed into one of my shirts and returned to class. I kept the offending shirt and had the student call the parent(s) on my phone to explain the situation while I listened, and then I talked with the parent(s) to ensure they understood our school's position. I gave the student his/her shirt back at the end of the day and they had to take the shirt I had given them home to be washed and returned to me the following morning.
Now - refusing to change became another issue to deal with and I only had that happen one time in my 13 years as a Principal. In that instance, the student remained in my office and given several opportunities to change his mind prior to a parent coming to discuss the situation, received a '0' for any classwork due during the time he was out of class, and finally went home with his parent when she couldn't convince her kid he was wrong. The next morning, the kid came in with both parents, apologized, and went back to class - I never had any more issues with him.
A situation like this one is often a bit fuzzy, even when all the facts are known, and becomes murkier by the second as the rumors, innuendo, half-truths and overheard snippets of conversation or opinion all pile up and are whispered, IM'd, or tweeted around the community to create yet another mountain of unnecessary distraction to all.
That is my experience base opinion only and your opinion may vary - and so it goes...;)
Richard's jaded $.02 :munchin
IMO - another molehill of an issue which - due to poor judgment and mishandling by all involved combined with the inflammatory assistance of the MSM on a slow news day ............
Any Mexican Flag T-shirts at school that day?
As usual I have a problem with the MSM's reporting. I could only find mention of the cultural dancers that the school had come in and put on a program.
I would think in this case that would have been one of the first things asked of the school officials.
So once again was the school being "fair" or being "PC". Are students allowed to show cultural pride on their heritage days? Or only the heritage that the school says is OK?
I wonder what they do during Ramadan - and the "winter vacation".
http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2011/05/06/year-ripping-schools-mexican-flag-student-regrets/?test=latestnews
Of course this argument ends with immigration reform as loyalties will no longer be divided, but much like the St. Patrick's parade in NYC ethnic pride will continue and be respected by all. And, maybe just like St. Paddy's day when everyone is Irish, on Cinco de Mayo, everyone will be Mexican.
Oh, I keep forgetting, who among us here do not have an immigrant legacy?
GreenSalsa
02-28-2014, 06:39
So what is next...
Maybe we should start telling gay and lesbian student to remove rainbow flags out of concern for their "safety"?
Can you believe it, a descendant of one of our Founding Father, George Washington, is leading the immigration reform charge from the Constitution City itself, Philadelphia. It must be the water.
Pennsylvania Immigration & Citizenship Coalition (PICC) is sponsoring Citizenship Day on March 29th, 2014 at St. Rocco Center, 9016 Gap Newport Pike, Avondale PA 19311.
PICC is looking for law student volunteers who want to learn more about the citizenship process. Students will be partnered with attorneys on Citizenship Day. In order to participate you must fill out the attached form (include that you are a law student), and attend a training or watch a webinar.
There will be a training this coming Tuesday 3/4, regarding Citizenship Day. The training will be at 5:30pm in Tanenbaum 320. Interested students should contact David Washington at david_washington@....