Treating the American flag like a Crips bandana; Update: Ban lifted
Update: The ban is lifted.
***
Public schools have long had dress codes banning gang colors and other disruptive attire. I’ve blogged before about poor Raven Furbert, whose overzealous school punished her for wearing patriotic red, white, and blue beads that she had worn to honor family members in the military. So this bone-headed move comes as no surprise:
On the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, students at one high school were not allowed to wear clothes with an American Flag.
Under a new school rule, students at Hobbton High School are not allowed to wear items with flags, from any country, including the United States.
The new rule stems from a controversy over students wearing shirts bearing flags of other countries.
Gayle Langston said her daughter, Jessica, was told to remove her stars and stripes t-shirt.
“Today she wanted to wear her shirt, and I had to tell her no,” said Langston. “She didn’t like it at all because I knew it would get her in trouble. Of all days, 9/11, she could not wear her American Flag shirt.”
The superintendent of schools in Sampson County calls the situation unfortunate, but says educators didn’t want to be forced to pick and choose which flags should be permissible.
They didn’t, in other words, want to act like grown-ups and make responsible judgments about acceptable displays of patriotism.
We are, as my friend Diana West puts it in her new book, in a state of perpetual adolescence–and it is this kind of idiocy that is weakening our will, resolve, and ability to fight our enemies at home and abroad. Like sheeple, we allow public educators to impart their gutless moral equivalence to the next generation.
The cancer of political correctness metastasizes.
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Categories: Education
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They do not have to pick and choose which flags can be represented. This is the whole problem. Only one flag should be allowed and that is the American flag. Anyone and everyone (legal) is American first. That’s it!!!!!
Where’s the ACLU in this screaming “Freedom of Speech” and “Freedom of Expression”??
Oh, they only do that when it’s anti-American. My bad.
Realistically - if someone wants to wear a t-shirt with the flag of Ireland, Germany, Poland, Mexico, or the United States - let them!
What is the harm?
They’re T-shirts - and it’s a flag. It is not a ‘F___ Bush’ statement or anything derogatory.
But this, especially, is going too far. Is there not an American Flag flying in front of that school?
To say to an American student that they cannot wear a t-shirt which bears Old Glory on it is radically out of whack and the community should be up in arms and protesting these “educators”.
Breathtaking and moronic policy…geminicontender is dead right. Why do we have to pick which flag can be allowed? There’s only one flag in this country that should be allowed. The superintendent and principal should be shown the door. What is God’s name are we teaching our children?
Is a firing squad a lil to much jrl? lol
geminicontender,
One would think that this is obvious, and it is… to anyone with a brain. Unfortunately, we’re talking about the publick skoolz here. No braynz 2b had their.
throc5156,
You’re suggesting that the ACLU should do something pro-American? Good one! Keep ‘em coming.
What controversy?
This isn’t any other country, right?
I hope its not too tough for ya to figure that one out.
American flags are the one go with everything fashion accessory…in America.
All others are a maybe.
I seem to recall a time when the Stars and Stripes was so venerated that any display of the flag was determined by a set of particular criteria.Under no circumstances were the colors worn as clothing or personal effect.I believe it was Abby Hoffman who wore a shirt made of the flag in contempt of American values.I still personally find that casual attitude toward the flag unappealing at best and appalling at worst Does anyone out there remember rules for displaying the flag?Or am I a dinosaur?
I disagree with the ‘only one flag should be allowed’ statements, from this standpoint:
I grew up in a Polish-American family. Grandparents immigrated from Poland, very proud Polish heritage, but even prouder American heritage as well.
Why should someone who grew up in that type of home not be able to wear a t-shirt with the Polish flag on it?
Same goes for the Irish, German, French, etc…
I’m curious - do these schools teach foreign languages? Is there a German flag hanging in the German-language classroom? ( There was in mine, years ago ). A French flag in the French class?
What is the difference?
This is more of a government entity sticking their nose in where it doesn’t belong and CAUSING a problem rather than trying to avoid one.
I’ll bet there’s some WWII Grandparent veterans turning in their graves knowing their grandkids can’t wear the US Flag on their tshirt in a US School.
My father, rest his soul, a veteran of Iwo Jima, would be spinning in his if they told my daughter she couldn’t wear the same.
I wonder - if this student brought her stars and stripes shirt to school and wanted to burn it - would they stop her? Or would they be afraid of ‘infringing on her rights’ ????
That this happened on 9/11 is of little concern to me. I’m just appalled that students’ rights can be treated in such a manner.
I can understand how some might be uncomfortable with Saudi Arabian, Palestinian, and/or Israeli flags (and I am not comparing the countries, just saying the flags carry some controversy). But a student has the right to express his/her beliefs and his/her patriotism. This is lunacy to me.
I would have told my kid (if I had one) to take the day off and wear the flag shirt anyway.
I don’t even know what to say about this story other than I think it is absolutely insane that we are losing our identity in such a way.
Dr. Stewart Hobbs - Superintendent
(910)592-1401 ext. 20150
Go to it.
.
If those are our current educators, our future is in deep doodoo.
I’d like some more detail on to what the original controversy was. I can’t imagine how wearing ANY flag would upset someone enough to create such a ridiculous policy.
blues #8
No - you’re not a dinosaur. BUT, I think we’re confusing using a flag as a shirt with wearing a shirt with national colors either displayed (as in a silkscreen of the flag) or used (as in those colors of materiel) to make a shirt. I got a few red/white/blue polo shirts I like to wear. Nuthin’ wrong with that, eh?
Sounds to me like maybe somebody made a stink earlier about furriners wearing “offensive” clothing - end result is none of it gets allowed.
Sampson County, N.C. - wonder what’s up over there?
Stories like these make my blood boil, not just because of the idiocy of bureaucrats–idiocy is always the specialty of the bureacrat–but MOSTLY because of the total passivity of the people in the face of such idiocy. Why isn’t the town raising heck with the school board and threatening to recall or elect an entirely new school board if this ban isn’t reversed?
I recently read about a school in Sweden that will not allow its students to wear soccer shirts to school because they have the Swedish flag; apparently the dunderheads running the school think the Swedish flag will “offend” immigrants! What are the Swedes doing about it?
*Chirping crickets.*
Public high school in Newton Grove:
HOBBTON HIGH (Students: 521; Location: 12201 HOBBTON HWY; Grades: 09 - 12)
http://www.city-data.com/city/Newton-Grove-North-Carolina.html
Yesterday morning, I was a little surprised to see my dad leaving for school in his Class A uniform. He’s been retired now for 16 years and is now a high school history teacher. I asked him about it when he got home last night. Someone (not sure who) had organized some sort of commemoration for yesterday. One of his students, who had a relative (brother?) killed in Iraq (last school year?) asked my father to participate. Usually, Daddy only wears his uniform to school for Veterans’ Day observances (but he’s always back in civvies by the time he gets home).
As for clothing with flag motifs:
To me, there is a HUGE difference between using an actual flag as a piece of clothing, and clothing with flag imagery. I have several articles of clothing with a flag motif, but none started as an actual flag. I would never use an actual flag to make an article of clothing, but I proudly wear the various tops I have with some sort of flag/patriotic theme, as a way of expressing my love of country…
I give up if we are not the United States of America, what is the Left’s alternative? What do they want us to be called, they don’t like our motto, live free or die and what symbol will we use if not the American Flag.
“Surrender Monkeys” I give up, will be the new National Motto. The Flag will be “White” That might be a problem as a couple of socialist govts., might already hold the copyright.
And that’s an angle worthy of consideration in this case. Somehow I can’t avoid the sneaking suspicion that the real purpose behind the “no flags” policy is to prevent the display of the American flag, but they couldn’t get away with it unless they lumped in everybody else’s banner, too.
What a sad commentary it is on how little faith I have left in public education that this was the first thing that I considered when reading the story.
We are a fractured society from many different angles and contusions.
To get our Republic back we truly must become one again.
Everybody knows the American flag is for burning - geeesh.
/sarc off
What are the swedes doing about it?
Due to the fact that the party elites refuse to discuss immigration (sounds familiar?) the single issue anti-immigration party got some 3% of the vote out of nowhere. They won more seats in local elections than they had members to fill them.
This is not, in my opinion, the best way to deal with the issue, but there are a lot of discontent Swedes doing *something*.
yep, and that school is about 40 minutes from my home…..Welcome to the great state of NC.
That school system will be hearing from me today.
(GAG)
And that’s exactly it - political correctness run amok. The flag, or image of the flag just might offend someone. Heaven forbid someone in the USA be offended by the American flag!
This is on par with me going to see a Vikings at Packers game (just for you jrl lol) and then requesting that Packer fans not wear their own gear because it offends me.
Ridiculous.
I still think the sensible solution is to send anyone who does not like, appreciate, or value America and what it (including our flag) means to a country like Iran, Saudi Arabia, or China for a year.
Then have them come back and realize they have it GOOD here, so they should stop hating the country that has given them so much.
Dr. L. Stewart Hobbs needs to hear from you.
shobbs@sampson.k12.nc.us
Yet more anecdotal proof that there is no correlation of knowledge to wisdom.
Ryan - you’re welcome to wear Viking’s apparel to any Packer game ( just get ready to get kidded about it )… lol
Gayle:
Just curious - do you know if ‘Old Glory’ waves in front of that school?
Do they not find THAT offensive to some people?
Yes, there are two flags; Here is the link. It’s VERY busy onsite!
http://www.sampson.k12.nc.us/HobbtonHigh/pictures/school2.jpg
Sorry I ran outta the box…..
tony and ladybug:When I commented on the wearing of the flag as clothing I did mean the motif(just couldn’t think of the word to use}.I’m not expressing an opinion {as I’m not opposed to the use of the motif as a patriotic gesture),but the attitude that existed at one time that any display of the colors and symbols of the flag in any way other than in a specific manner was considered unpatriotic.There were rules cocerning the proper display of the flag motif.I don’t know if those rules carried the weight of law,or if they were simply determined by tradition.
Hard to believe someone with a teaching credential won’t allow the wearing a piece of clothing honoring the flag so many Americans have served under, fought for, and when necessary gave the last full measure to protect this republic. I wonder if the pledge of allegiance is not allowed in this school district also.
Goes to show the old Air Force aviators saying, those that can do those that can’t teach and those that can’t teach evaluate. Our schools have become to PC to function. I am so glad I no longer have school age children, but if I did they would be home schooled.
ok, we have flush a Koran go to jail, wear an American based wardrode, dont come to school, Immigrant Americans (illegals) CIAR, ACLU, PC correctness, Money Scandels, Generals getting no respect, muslims demanding foot-baths at our airports, Gay Sex in public bathrooms by Senators (craig), Hookers calling out Senators (vitter), Russians with bigger bombs, Iran Proxy war, Tainted toys, Truthers (morons), a Senate that is stuck on stupid, inadequate Judges and Rap. God Bless America I’m leaving my Flag up all week.
What do these idiots do on Flag Day?
I would bring my kids to school in a red white and blue muscle car, with them and me dressed in red white and blue head to toe, blasting the Star Spangled Banner on the car’s 3,000 watt stereo, flags waving from the roof, doing burning rubber donuts in the parking lot. That would be worth the charges just to stick it to the principal.
Obviously, I’m not above making a spectacle of myself to make a point:)
GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS…nuff said!
I think I heard the principal say, “What I did was totally immature and so that means I have to grow up.”
Or something….
This isn’t an new article but it sums up alot. It came out on the 4th of July 2006. I am a grown up, I don’t need to be allowed to take care of myself thanks anyway.
http://mensnewsdaily.com/2006/07/04/the-pussification-of-america/
Maybe this car would be the right one for the job…..
2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car
North Carolina,isnt that where that sleaze lawyer Edwards is from,that state would lose alot if the big Army base pulled out.
You all know how much the Left loves it civil disobedience. Maybe the Right ought to try the samething and exercise their rights as Americans, to wear and display whatever they want “Freedom of Expression” and “Free Speech”
Me, too.
The OJ chase gave LA locals the inspiration to start hanging banners from freeway overpasses promoting various agendas. CalTrans saw them as litter and a hazard. They were enjoined against removing them and it went to the Ninth Circus in 2003. They ruled that these old bedsheets were ‘protected political speech’. The Court granted CalTrans the right to remove the graffiti if and only if they removed all US flags, California flags and all other ‘political speech’ from CalTrans property. The black robes determined the national and state flags were equivalent to dirty linen on public property.
The national flag code permits the official display of national flag of recognized foreign states with and in inferior position to the US flag. The flags of unrecognized states may not be displayed nor ‘honored’. That would include N Korea, Cuba, Taiwan among those extant. The defunct: 3rd Reich, USSR or Confederate States of America are likewise under ban. The national flag code only applies to the federal government and its subsidiaries. Flying the flag upside will get attention but not because it means ‘emergency’. The code interprets an inverse flag as insurrection.
I for one do not favor a flag burning amendment. Dishonoring the flag reveals the enemy amongst us.
or maybe this one…….
2006 Dodge Challenger Super Stock Concept
From the U.S. Flag Code,
§176. Respect for flag
No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.
* (a) The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
* (b) The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
* (c) The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
* (d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. 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.
* (e) The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.
* (f) The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
* (g) The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
* (h) The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
* (i) The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
* (j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
* (k) The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.
link here: http://www.usflag.org
I wonder if army camo attire is next? If so, my 8 year-old would never be allowed back to school…especially with his fully stocked wardrobe of U.S. Army shirts (including one purchased at, gasp, Target!).
Educators have ceased to educate - they are much more comfortable with socialization (babysitting by another name).
The US public schools are among the worst in the world and this is proven by surveys year after year. If you want to put your kids in a public school, do it during their elementary years when the teachers can’t mess up the basics. Come middle or elementary school, look elsewhere to save your kids.
I still remember when a neighbor turned his flag upside down. I couldn’t miss it because I had to pass it on the way to the bus stop each school-day morning. He turned his flag over the day that Carter gave amnesty to the Vietnam-era deserters. I can’t say I blame him (the neighbor).
It is idiots like this that are ruining our education system. What part of 1 flag, The US Flag, don’t these adminstrators understand and know. Personally if I had a kid going to that school, I would have sent them to school with a US flag and then fought them if they tried to expel them.
Bullseye!
So what flag does this school fly on the flag pole outside of their school? My guess is that it will be the next American flag to go. This is a sad state of affairs.
“Educators” - I doubt it. “Pick and choose?” I mean really, wouldn’t any be OK? Old-timers here will remember when everyone was wearing the British Invasion colors. Dopiness takes over the public schools again.
Gee, the same people in Washington who are giving the country away to Mexicans present themselves as patriotic to the anti-flag burning voter bloc.
If you go to their web page there is a picture of the front of the school. They have a US flag flying, with the N.C. flag right below it.
No email address that I could find to email and let them know what we think though
jrlingreenbay,
Someone who was born in America to emigrant parents? I’m guessing those parents immigrated to the USA because they wanted to provide a better standard of living, schooling or job opportunities for their families than could be provided by their home countries - that’s great.
But this is not Mexico, Europe, Brazil, Iceland, Poland or some other 2nd World dump. It’s America. Citizens should be PROUD to wear or display the American flag. If Public schools want to ban the display of NON-US Flags, more power to them… but for them to start banning the US Flag? Sick.
One of the reasons my daughter attends a private school - it breaks the bank for us occasionally, but the educators don’t have to be politically correct - students were encouraged to wear shirts that with American Flag or red/white/blue themes on Sept 11th.
blues #32
Guess I’m showing my age then… far back as I can remember, flag motifs and colors have been acceptable patriotic garb.
RE: Proper Display - I’d guess it was deemed appropriate or not based on tradition; the general populace was more… restrained(?) in the 50’s.
YMMV
#13 & #28
Not nitpicking, but I was once warned about that sort of conduct… unless there’s a difference between educators and soldiers?
Hey, Mr. clueless “Citizen of the World” Superintendent of schools:
* As an American citizen, the American flag is part of me, and I am part of it. Therefore, if I choose to wear a shirt which displays the flag in an appropriate way, you have no right to stop me.
* We should ALWAYS favor our own flag over those of other countries, even those of our allies. Didn’t you ever learn any flag etiquete when you were growing up?
It makes my blood boil that our young people are entrusted to clueless people like that for their education.
OMG…I cannot believe that this has actually occurred in Newton Grove, North Carolina.
I’m grew up in Goldsboro, which is the next town over, and must say that I find this beyond disturbing.
Newton Grove is located in the heart of the “Piedmont” farming area. We’re talkin’ churches, tobacco fields, churches, cotton fields, churches, bbq restaurants, soybean fields, churches and couuun-tray-ass white folks.
I mean, if this kind of PC crap can happen here, in the heart of NC’s conservative bible belt…it can happen anywhere.
I fear my home state is fast turning into the California of the east coast.
Thanks for totally bumming me out, Michelle ; )
For those you out there slamming “public education”, please remember that not every educator is some left-wing nutjob out to indoctrinate children into socialist ideology. And we aren’t all losers who “can’t do”. My father is a teacher after serving nearly 27 years in the Army. I decided to go into teaching myself (a career change) in part because I refuse to cede that cultural battlefield to the left. Not everyone who dislikes the drift to the left in public education has the means/ability to home-school or send their children to private schools. We should not condemn those children to lefty educators (I know they are out there - I had classes with some of them while I was earning my M.Ed.).
The ACLU won’t touch this, but has anyone told the Langstons to get in contact with FIRE? This should be right up their alley.
I would also like to know more about the original controversy with non-U.S. flags (if it’s a “farming area” I can probably figure out what flag was being worn…). There are acceptable reasons to display other flags (sorry, klrsmith)–didn’t we all post the Danish flag on blogs during the Cartoon Crisis to show our support of free speech–and some reasons that are indefensible.
Ugly American~
I’m willing to bet that administrator isn’t from the area. Once you get to that level within public education, districts often “shop around” for people to fill those positions. That being said, makes me curious about where he earned his creditials/where he’s from originally.
I’m willing to bet that administrator isn’t from the area. Once you get to that level within public education, districts often “shop around” for people to fill those positions.
All the more reason then for the good people of Newton Grove to run this bureaucrat out of town on a rail.
I mean fercrissakes…both Seymour Johnson AFB and Fort Bragg are located within a 30min drive of the school.
What the hell is this clown thinking?
But it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what his “flag disruption” comment was all about.
One thing is for sure…it had nothing to do with Old Glory.
Ooops…forgot to blockquote your comments there, ML ; )
Political Correctness - so that one person out of many need not be offended, all must be miserable.
I posted the link to the homepage of the high school.
Some of you asked to see it…scroll up!
I’m guessing he graduated from Columbia or UC Berkely. Brings to mind the Pace salsa commercial with the guy with a horse that gets his salsa from NYC. Clearly out of his element.
There’ve posted an update over at the link…
Power to the
PeopleBloggers : )If thats the case Ugly, I’ll pray for you.
for once, MM and the ACLU agree on something.
No - this is not Mexico, Europe, Brazil, etc…
But I fail to see the harm in anyone being proud of not only being an American, but of their cultural heritage.
We have had our common sense tainted by displays by illegal immigration proponents of the Mexican flag, using it as a form of protest.
I’m refering to simply wearing the flag of your ancestral heritage without the intent to ‘protest’ or ‘make a statement’.
Many people are very proud of their heritage, Poles, Italians, Irish, etc.. and they may have a flag from their ancestral country hanging on their wall at home, or wear a t-shirt emblazoned with it. Why shouldn’t they be allowed to wear it if it is not done to incite controversy?
Also - the ‘update’ link story states that while the ban has been lifted, the ACLU already contacted the superintendent and threatened suit if he banned other flags, but allowed the US Flag.
This whole issue is caused by the illegal immigrant proponents and their protests, using the Mexican flag as an “in-your-face” attempt to cause conflict.
Would we have won WWII with the ACLU on our side?
There’s a cure.
Ban the enforcement of civil rights laws through court action by private entities.
Only the government is allowed to enforce laws of any kind.
The ACLU is behind the anti-US flag drive? Who woulda guessed???
I’d be willing to bet that a t-shirt with a Cuban flag and a picture of that great people’s hero, Che would be allowed.
If I had to make an unsubstantiated but educated guess, the school district probably tried to ban the Stars and Bars at some point and was told they couldn’t discriminate against a single flag.
Their lawyers probably wouldn’t allow them to ban apparel with swastikas unless they also ban the Magen David as well. You can’t teach children that it’s okay to favor one viewpoint over another you know — that’s what conservatives do!
Okay, people, time for a smackdown.
First, it is NOT okay to wear the flag, except as noted above (see #45). I see idiots every day who are armchair patriots, and there are a lot of them on display here, too. Flag do-rags, T-shirts, ass patches, you name it. Brain-dead athletes dragging it around like a trophy (a pet peeve).
If you want to be a patriot, follow the rules. My flag flies high on a pole, with lights, in accordance with the law of the land.
And quit whining about the damn school. They’re just trying their best, and made a right decision for the wrong reason.
There are a lot of “first stones” being cast here, are you sure you’re so innocent?
daveglo. red-white-and blue beads? This is America. Without our military we would be subjects of the King or Queen of England. There was a case back in the 1970s allowing negroes (called afro-americans then) the right to wear black arm bands. Was that reversed?