Some high school students were kicked off campus for wearing American flag t-shirts, bandanas, etc. while at school. They did not violate school policy, dress code, or the law in doing so. In fact, any other day the school would not have noticed them. But they wore these things on Cinco de Mayo, and some folks took offense to their apparel.
School officials asked them to remove the offensive garments. The kids refused. They were sent to the principal, yet still refused to take it off. They were then told that they were being defiant and suspended. Fortunately, the school board did not agree with the suspension nor the handling of the incident. Read the story here.
Three thoughts . . .
1) WTF were these officials thinking?
2) Then there is the pesky free speech argument. The courts have already ruled that students are not required to check their free speech at the door. Many people find some of the apparel that students wear offensive, but that does not give us a right to ban them.
3) Finally we are forced to remind folks that this is America. Patriotism is not a crime. Free speech and expression are not a crime. And Cinco de Mayo is NOT a U.S. holiday!
I am reminded of a quote from the movie Stripes . . . "Lighten up Francis!"
What do you think?
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