Students Kicked Off Campus for Wearing American Flag Tees

[jinx]

Yes I agree with you that they were wearing flag stuff for symbolic purposes, and those purposes are being debated with regards to political correctness/immigration/tolerance/etc.... I don't agree that they were wearing and therefore being disrespectful to The Flag.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by jinx

I don't agree that they were wearing and therefore being disrespectful to The Flag.

We'll have to disagree on that point. Your link doesn't say what a flag is, or how a flag is constructed, it says what a flag looks like. You can make a flag intended for flying by printing the design on a sheet of polyester or by sewing strips of cotton fabric together and embroidering the stars. You can print one on paper and glue it to a stick to wave in your hand. You can enamel one onto metal to wear as a pin. You can put it on an iron-on patch to apply to a uniform. How is silk screening one onto a t-shirt in the proper proportions suddenly not a flag?

Damn it. I didn't want to have this conversation. I really don't give a shit.

[jinx]

Damn it. I didn't want to have this conversation. I really don't give a shit.

Yeah, we're still disagreeing. I think it's a symbol of a symbol... no one does or is expected to maintain their flag t-shirt or pin to the same standards as an actual flag. It's ok if they get dirty and worn or touch the ground etc.. no one would be bothered by that. And ever since the popularity of Tommy Hilfiger, who doesn't have some form of flag clothing or something. Holding these boys to a different standard is nitpicking imo.

Would it be appropriate to send people away from an event or state building for wearing a tshirt with a mexican or canadian or latvian flag on the 4th of July? I don't think so, so why was this move ok? I think that's what the real debate should be about.
Why would mexicans be offended by american flags or boys showing defiant amercican pride on mexican independence day - the 2 things are just not related unless there is underlying animosity. Why didn't the school address this in some positive way - and try to promote mutual understanding? Why didn't they send the angry mexicans away also, if anyone, instead of just the defiant americans?

[glatt]

I wonder what the reaction would be to flag designed toilet paper. It's not the flag, so nobody would take offense, I'm sure.

I agree with you jinx that the school was foolish here. They shouldn't have done anything and it was almost certainly political correctness run amok. I think that schools have the right to enforce a dress code and even make spur of the moment calls as they see fit in order to keep disruption to a minimum, but I don't think it was warranted here.