Offensive Flag Tee Shirt?

This story is exploding on the web.

Two students in California were sent home for wearing American flag tee shirts on Cinco de Mayo because they could be offensive and inflammatory.

What do you all think?

I think its sad. Just sad.

 

My understanding is that Cinco de Mayo is celebrated more in the US then it is in Mexico.

Either way it does not matter, This is America and if Americans want to show patriotism for America they have every right. To be threatened with suspension from school for it is an abomination.

Of course this opinion changes if the school has a dress code that prevents such types of shirts in the first place

 

I haven't found the story online yet; so, I am going to reserve judgement until I find out more. There is probably more to this story.

EDIT*****

I found the link:
http://www.myfoxla.com/dpps/news/st...s-on-cinco-de-mayo-dpgonc-20100506-fc_7407361

BULLSH*T!!!!!!!............that vice prinicpal should be looking for a new job. I guess freedom of speach and expression don't apply equally.

 

S. Bay Students Wearing U.S. Flag Shirts Sent Home

They were told to turn their t-shirts off or inside out. They refused, and were sent home. There isn't any more to the story. The vice principle was afraid it would cause trouble on Cinco De Mayo. Which is bullsh....you know.

 

IT really doesn't matter how you slice it. I am all for acceptance of other cultures; but, it shouldn't be done at the expense of your national identity. I wonder if the school flew the US flag that day?

IT amazes me the money and effort that is spent to make other nationalities feel accepted. I think Arizona and sheriff Joe have the right idea.

 

The kids who wore the US flag on their shirts (Tee shirt with the flag imprinted on it) are in violation of the Flag Code:
United States Code Title 4 Chapter 1 — The Flag


§8. 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.

1. 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.
2. The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
3. The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
7. 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.
8. The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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

That's a good reason to be sent home IMHO

 

Incidents like these just make me disgusted. I literally do not know where to begin.

The important thing is you could if you wanted too. Why? Because this is America, a democratic country, and you have the right to free speech. Can anyone look me in the eye and say with complete honesty that if a Mexican-American wore a Mexican flag t-shirt on the Fourth of July, they'd be asked to remove it?

 

Gee, what am I NOT surprised. I guess its now a crime to be not only an American, but an American Patriot.

Correct on their holiday, its celebrated more here than in their motherland.

 

Tex this one is not against the flag code .

 

I refused to sell a huge order of Flags once on the 4th of July weekend at the state park I managed because they were made in China.

 

Texson, I also disagree. In the 'Respect for the Flag' you posted, it makes no mention of 'imagery of the flag'...it only references 'The Flag.'

A flag, by definition:

flag1    /flæg/ Show Spelled [flag] Show IPA noun, verb, flagged, flag·ging.
–noun 1. a piece of cloth, varying in size, shape, color, and design, usually attached at one edge to a staff or cord, and used as the symbol of a nation, state, or organization, as a means of signaling, etc.; ensign; standard; banner; pennant.



So, based on this definition, a t-shirt with the imagery of a flag (though, having seen pictures of the shirts, is clearly not depicting the full flag of the USA) is not in violation of the above mentioned 'Respect for the Flag' rules.

I still find it highly peculiar that we celebrate it so widespread in the United States (its celebrating a Mexican victory over the French) but agree with what others have said - its complete BS to send the kids home for wearing the t-shirts to school if it doesn't violate the schools dresscode. This is the United States of America, not Mexico, afterall and beyond exercising their rights, patriotism has never been punished before.

 

I saw this story on the news this morning before work. It turns my stomach that people are so afraid to offend anyone that they won't allow students to wear patriotic t-shirts. This is the United States of America! What's wrong with this picture?

 

I still stand by my statement, but as to why the 5th of May is celebrated more here than Mexico? It's a good enough excuse to drink lots of margaritas!

 

There was an interesting article some time ago on NPR about the US Flag codes. Apparently there was no such thing prior to the Civil War. Afterwards there were quite a few. Note that most of the sections in the quoted section of the United States Code use the word "should" and not "must". Ie it is optional.

In any case I from what I've read here if I were a parent of a child in that school I'd be looking for a lot better explanation from the vice principle and/or the school board would be hereing from me.