Public schools are run by the government, so the First Amendment applies. The courts have given administrators some leeway to ban expressions likely to cause disorder. Typically, they involve things like peace symbols or Confederate flags. I can't imagine any court in its right mind would rule that displaying an American flag is disruptive. After all, as someone pointed out, they probably had one on a pole outside the school. A recurring problem in First Amendment cases is that the authorities typically let the bullies prevail and censor someone expressing an unpopular viewpoint on the ground of preventing violence. Courts have often stated that in such cases it is the government's responsibility to protect those expressing unpopular views, not censor them at the behest of thugs. We really don't have freedom of expression if it only applies to popular, widely accepted ideas, or if it can be shut down by a mob with the government's assistance. The only unusual thing in this case is the principal's shocking notion that the American flag stands on the same legal footing as racial epithets. For that breach of judgment, he should be fired summarily.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/05/06/california-students-sent-home-wearing-flags-cinco-mayo/ quote "Eugene Volokh, a professor of law at the University of California-Los Angeles, 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."
"We were forced to become americans." Fascinating... Forced to become Americans... Then you are in favor of Mexicans here to be forced to become Americans...why do you think it would take force? Is it that they might not be a stubborn as the Irish were, so stubborn that they were "forced to become Americans."
That was an expression you nitwit race baiter. The Irish, the Italians and all the other immigrants who were despised when they first landed here were pretty much forced to learn how to be Americans. (at least that is the way things happened on the east coast in the days before this diversity shit.) We were a much better country for it. The envy of the world.
So you are fine with Mexicans being forced to learn how to be Americans... Race baiter (sp)? The Irish and the Italians were a different race than Americans in those days? Really...
part of your anti american writing is to agitate on racial lines. I am immune to your race baiting because I understand you are driven by your feelings of feelings of inferiority. To comfort you I will tell you, you are not inferior because of your race, you are inferior because of your ideas.
The ACLU never met an illegal immigrant it didn't like. Right now the ACLU is setting up a lawsuit against Arizona for trying to enforce immigration law, just as earlier they sued the town of Hazelton, PA for the same reason.
School District: Flag Clothing Incident "Extremely Unfortunate" Morgan Hill school under national microscope By JESSICA GREENE Updated 8:35 AM PDT, Fri, May 7, 2010 Some parents of students at Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill are keeping their kids home from school after tension related to an incident involving students wearing American flag clothing on Cinco de Mayo spilled out onto the streets. The students wore T-shirts depicting the flag to school on Wednesday. Administrators told the boys the clothes could be "incendiary" and asked them turn the shirts inside-out or face suspension. The boys refused so they were sent home. The controversy quickly spread over the Internet and became national news. Now, the school district is sending a message to parents about the heated issue, assuring them that students will not be suspended, and that students are allowed to wear patriotic clothing. The message was delivered from Superintendent Wesley Smith through both a letter and a voicemail. Here is the full text: Good evening. This is Dr. Wesley Smith, Superintendent of the Morgan Hill Unified School District. The Morgan Hill Unified School District does not prohibit nor do we discourage wearing patriotic clothing. 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. We know that this is an emotionally charged topic. We would ask you to encourage your students to be safe and focus on their academics while in school. If conversations and/or activities are necessary to express their feelings on this issue, we will find appropriate venues that do not disturb student learning or jeopardize the safety of our students. Furthermore, we encourage everyone to demonstrate respect for each other, open communication, and responsibility. Thank you for your support and understanding. Dr. Wesley Smith Superintendent On Thursday, about 200 Mexican-American students walked out of class in protest of the flag clothing incident. Members of the group waved the Mexican flag and said they were marching for respect and unity. They also demanded the school suspend the boys who wore the U.S. flag-adorned clothing. As a result of this heated debate, other Bay Area schools by the name of Live Oak have been threatened. The Live Oak School District in Santa Cruz County has received several calls from people angry about the issue, even though they are in no way involved in the Morgan Hill school's issue. That district's superintendent believes it's just a same-name misunderstanding and lack of clarity in reporting the school's location. Administrators at Live Oak High School in Sutter County say they've also recieved violent threats. The sheriff there is concerned that a person who threatened to shoot up the school or plant a bomb may follow through. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/loca...-Incident-Extremely-Unfortunate-93065324.html
melting pot = creates unity. diversity = divides. This is the face of diversity... "On Thursday, about 200 Mexican-American students walked out of class in protest of the flag clothing incident. Members of the group waved the Mexican flag and said they were marching for respect and unity. They also demanded the school suspend the boys who wore the U.S. flag-adorned clothing."