You could, at that party, sing God Bless America with a certain tone of voice, making eye contact while using certain expressions, both of which could antagonize that other person. Hell, with the right tone of voice you could anger anyone, singing that song. And that's the idea with this incident, it's not the flag per se, it no doubt has something to do with five boys all wearing flags on their t-shirts AND bandanas, on a day where their school is celebrating an immigrant group's holiday, and all having lunch together. I don't think that's a coincidence.
Like I said, you must have been born yesterday. I mean, anti-miscegenation laws were just struck down in '67 but the practice remained in many areas of the country until just recently. Sure it is illegal since '67, but in the good-old-boy south, there were many encumbrances to getting a marriage license for inter-racial couples. Affirmative action laws were being violated left and right trough the 80's and early 90's even though the origin of them was mid 60's. Realtor steering still occurs in many places in the US. Hate crime laws just came into being in the mid 90's. And these are just a FEW examples.
The civilized America passed the legislation, gave women the right to vote, etc. That people break those laws...well, I am sure they also proudly wave the flag as well...
Here's an alternate scenario. Let's say that a school were celebrating MLK jr.s birthday during February and several white kids wore confederate flag T shirts and bandannas. Of course that would be clear cut because that flag represents the confederate's fight to maintain slavery during the civil war. Even though that flag represents a "proud" history for many whites in the south. Though that flag has no official standing in the United states. So we can see how Black students, who are Americans, would be offended. Cinco de Mayo, however has nothing to do with America's history. It's a holiday that commemorates Mexico's victory over the French at a battle in Peublo. Ironically, it's not really celebrated in Mexico. Just in the Mexican state of Peubla. But it's become a de facto Mexican day of pride for Mexican Americans. That an American flag and its depiction could be thought of as offensive during this holiday is mind boggling. If anything, the American flag should be celebrated alongside a Mexican flag considering that those celebrating it are Americans of Mexican descent.
One could argue that much of the southwest was under Mexican rule...and just like the south who gave up their position as members of the United States, and took up arms against the United states, that even though people are proud of that rebellion, so too descendants of Mexico, before it became the United States, are also proud of their heritage. So what to do? Ban St. Patrick's day? What the hell does St. Patrick driving snakes from Ireland have to do with America? This is all so silly...and at the heart of the issues is guess what? Sons and daughters of baggers, most likely.
No psychic skills needed, everyone has seen people waving the flag who were later indicted, etc. Want to guess how many businessmen who hire illegals are also flag wavers?
And what the exactly is "the civilized America?" The supreme court striking down laws and government passing some laws by thin margins does not constitute a "civilized America." America is a country made up of people with a government by the people and for the people. When the majority of people uphold the law and the spirit of it, then America is a "civilized" nation. I say civilized in quotes because America was a civilized nation from it's inception. It has become increasingly more civilized since and will continue to advance. We are at out most culturally civilized state in our history.
I suppose if one looked to the middle east, saw the way in which their laws treat women, minority groups, etc. and compared that to our laws, you might say America's laws are civilized... Oh, and part of our civilization is the court system...maybe people don't like the rulings of the courts, but do they blow themselves and others up in protest? Generally not. There are always the deviants who are not civilized, but in America they are in the minority... Comparing our treatment of minority groups, women, children, etc. in 1776...to today, we were not civilized... In political discourse today, and in general, are people more civil to each other than 50 years ago?
Absolutely GD right! Mexican Flag being flown above the US flag (upside down) at a CA school several years ago.