In Denver, CO., some schools have seen fit, due to high tensions over the immigration issue, to ban flags of any kind from their schools. Apparently, some students came to school either wearing or waiving Mexican flags & other students retaliated by bringing American flags. Reportedly, tensions grew from there to name calling and other hateful remarks. So, in a rather poor attempt to diffuse the situation, the powers that be at these schools decided that absolutely no flags – from any nation, including America – were to be allowed on school property, under penalty of suspension.
Once again, another country has been allowed, albeit indirectly, to dictate the actions we as Americans take against our own. Students who brought the Mexican flags to school were expressing their feelings on the immigration issue. Well, so were the students who brought American flags to school. True, the resulting name calling & language deterioration was perhaps uncalled for, but as Americans, we have the protection of freedom of speech and freedom of expression, as long as it remains non-violent. Those who are in America, but not yet American citizens, perhaps do not enjoy the same level of protection. This is as it should be. They are not Americans, we are. Period. End of story…. Or is it?
Apparently, in situations like this, Americans do not even enjoy the level of protection promised to us in the Constitution. Because in order to diffuse the tensions this immigration issue caused at these few schools, all must suffer: no flags representing any country are allowed on school property. All but the American flag, right? That’s still allowed, yes? This is America, after all.
Alas, even the American flag has been banned. Apparently, waiving or wearing an American flag causes tension and fights to break out…in American schools. Even on a day of remembrance for us – September 11th – a day when we pull together as a nation & remember those who gave their lives in the most heinous terrorist attack this country has yet seen on our own soil – even then, the ban on American flags was in effect at these schools.
Once again, another country and its problems in controlling its own citizens has dictated to America the actions and reactions required of American citizens. Once again we have allowed tensions and harsh words to back us into a corner, and instead of coming out fighting, like patriots, we have retreated to our little corner, bowed our heads, allowed our enemies to handcuff us and handed them the key. Congratulations, America; cannot wait to see which country gets to use us for a punching bag next.
Reposted with permission from Poets Corner http://jewhl.blogspot.com/
No Flags Fly Here
