Through the Magnifying Glass: High School Bans American Flag

High School Bans American Flag

Yesterday, on 9/11, the mailroom staff in our company distributed American flags to everyone. Was this offensive to other nationalities? We all knew what happened on that horrible day and we are just showing the spirit and pride of being great citizens of this country.

So are the actions by this high school unreasonable or justified? The story tells of Hobbton High School in North Carolina implementing a new school rule where students are not allowed to wear items with flags from any country, including the United States. This rule was brought about when there were complaints about students wearing shirts bearing flags of other countries.

Now, the reason why it became news was 9/11. Apparently, some students wanted to wear the American flag to show their spirit on that day, but educators did not let them. They were afraid of being forced to pick and choose which flags should be permissible.

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People ought to stop complaining about students wearing this flag or that. If a student feels uncomfortable with other students wearing the American flag, then I think we need to find out why. It would seem ridculous for the high school to adopt this policy especially during the Fourth of July or Memorial Day. How can you stop people from expressing their patriotism?

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Comments

Posted by: Andrew
Posted on: September 12, 2007 10:27 AM

If this is a public school, then it is required to display the American flag. So if students are going to be offended, then they already are.

Posted by: James (Author)
Posted on: September 12, 2007 10:40 AM

The rule focuses on students wearing any flag on their apparel. I wonder if it covers wearing American lapel pins.

Posted by: amanda ropp
Posted on: September 14, 2007 04:06 PM

this whole thing is rediculous. i actually GO to the school where the whole thing happened, Hobbton High School, and our principal had a good idea. The school system had just got done being sued for discrimination and he was simply trying to avoid more damage. I understand that it is all crazy, but we still had flags in the classrooms, and outside in 3 locations. if you think about it, WEARING the flag is disrespectful too..i know it sounds bad but the media has blown it way out of porportion!