A Place of Safety: General Talk » The insanity of the American...but then again?????

Show: Today's Messages :: Show Polls :: Message Navigator

The insanity of the American...but then again????? [message #62283]

Thu, 06 May 2010 16:07

chrisjames147

Really getting into it

Location: U.S.
Registered: November 2009
Messages: 630

I wouldn't expect to read a news story like this anywhere else in the world, this is typically an American stupid moment.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36981179?GT1=43001

I think we need to celebrate our diversity and not pander to the interests of one group. But in being so stupid as to ask students to remove their nation's flag these morons (school administrators seem to wear that label more and more every year) are going to find themselves the target of considerable legal consequences.

In my opinion if Mexican students want to celebrate their culture go right ahead. They just need to remember whose ground they are standing upon or lose their place in society.

I have never been a flag waver and don't see the need, but others do. It gives this country a sense of unity and pride. So if students wish to wear a symbol of that unity they cannot be denied. I'm sure the lawyers will tell us all about that in the coming months.

Can any of you see grounds for students in your country to be denied the right to display the nation's flag? I am quite fond of the Aussie and English flags.

AND AS AN ADDED FEATURE: Just when you think it couldn't get any crazier:

http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=498014>1=28103

[Updated on: Thu, 06 May 2010 18:40]

Age appears to be best in four things; old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read. (Sir Francis Bacon 1561-1626)

Re: The insanity of the American...but then again????? [message #62290 is a reply to message #62283]

Fri, 07 May 2010 05:18

ray2x

Really getting into it

Location: USA
Registered: April 2009
Messages: 430

Being of Mexican decent, I give the right for any person to his and her freedom of expression. At this moment, though, the Mexican person is in some hot water for being a Mexican, or of being Mexican decendant. It's a hurtful atmosphere in California. These boys knew what they were doing when donning their American flag tshirts. They were not expecting to be suspended. Now, unfortunately, another cause celebre will be ignited by Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin, etc. over this flap. And Mexicans will be blamed yet again.

Raymundo

Re: The insanity of the American...but then again????? [message #62293 is a reply to message #62290]

Fri, 07 May 2010 12:04

chrisjames147

Really getting into it

Location: U.S.
Registered: November 2009
Messages: 630

I agree Raymundo, the whole point of their wearing those red, white and blue shirts was to cause controversy.

The community of Morgan Hill is not exactly an intellectual mecca on any side of this issue. The internet and cable television gods will rant and rave over this for days, just more fuel for their dimwitted fires. I have even read that the vice-principal took down the American flag in front of the school and raised the Mexican flag. Such garbage, inflammatory nonsense.

If the point of having this Mexican Heritage Day was to teach a lesson it failed miserably. Allowing five white boys the opportunity to refocus the lesson into a flag waving contest taught nothing. And lest we forget, what of the Asian students who attend that school?

It would have been better to see a Heritage Day for all nationalities, a lesson in diversity for all. There is of course a great deal of confusion about Cinco de Mayo even among the Mexican students who were quoted in the articles, it is not the Mexican Independence Day.

The issue now becomes does this confrontation evolve into legal battles or will schools not be allowed to use Cinco de Mayo as a teaching tool. High school students are all about hormones and emotions, maybe they are not the best forum for a discussion about equality of the races.

You can bet that Glen Beck and Sarah Palin won't allow anything positive to come from this. But those who feel it's fine to celebrate St. Patricks Day or Octoberfest need to move over and make room for Cinco de Mayo. Unfortunately in America we seem to need holidays like this as an excuse for drinking.

I'm sorry Raymundo. Maybe this would never have happened if the heritage was celebrated on the true Mexican Independance Day, September 16th. Or maybe nothing would be different. Mexico and the United States are both in difficult times right now. Politics being what it is means they ought to cooperate to find solutions but they won't. It's sorta like a bunch of high school students who don't think their way ahead. Sad but true.

Age appears to be best in four things; old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read. (Sir Francis Bacon 1561-1626)

Re: The insanity of the American...but then again????? [message #62296 is a reply to message #62293]

Sat, 08 May 2010 05:24

ray2x

Really getting into it

Location: USA
Registered: April 2009
Messages: 430

The American flag and the Mexican flag flies proudly in many Latino communities in Southern California. I grew up knowing about Mexican heritage, not all of it but certainly enough to know September 16th is the important celebration. I bristle at how "important" Cinco de Mayo has become. I tell my students how not to celebrate the "National Beer Holiday".

Raymundo

Previous Topic:	Just checking in from Japan
Next Topic:	The Westboro Baptist Church

Goto Forum:

[ Syndicate this forum (XML) ] [

]

We support Ukraine — Мы поддерживаем Украину — Ми підтримуємо Україну

We support Palestine — We support Palestine — We support Palestine