To Wear or Not to Wear
Unanimous court decision is in favor of a school’s decision to censor a student.
Red, white, and blue are the colors of American pride, or so thought students who walk through the halls of a California high school. On Cinco de Mayo, a Mexican holiday, 
all students who were wearing American flag shirts were asked to either turn their shirt inside out or go home. A unanimous court decision decided that this was okay and schools should be allowed to do this for “safety reasons”. This is a violation of a student’s free speech and is censorship.
This is sickening and heartbreaking. Students who want to show American pride in an American school should be allowed to. In fact, soldiers are dying every day to defend this right. So why did this school show a complete lack of respect to America and her soldiers?
I know for a fact that this is wrong. If showing patriotism and pride in my country is wrong, then what is right? This is America; I am allowed to wear what I want. Especially if I want to wear the flag of the great country of the United States of America. Next thing you know, I won’t be allowed to wear a Christian shirt or an Israeli flag because it might possibly offend someone.
Instead of stepping all over a student’s right to wear the American flag or patriotic clothing, this California school needs to accept the fact that this is America and students are allowed to wear patriotic clothing no matter what day it is. Schools need to focus more on preventing and stopping other students who might be offended and attack the student wearing the shirt. Focus on students who incite violence, not the student showing American pride.
lakeville condo • Mar 25, 2014 at 3:10 am
Inspiring story there. What happened after?
Take care!
Bri • Mar 4, 2014 at 9:19 am
This article is good but weird. I understand that the California High School was wrong to send home students for wearing the American flag, but the the school can tell you what to wear. In the third paragraph, I thought it was rude to separate Latinos and Americans. Does this mean that Latinos and Americans can’t be one? I’m Latino and American, do I have to pick a side? I support our troops and also my home country. Also, what’s wrong with showing respect for other religions and another country’s flag?
Carol • Mar 4, 2014 at 9:14 am
I don’t like how you say “Latino and American students.” Are you saying that Latino students aren’t American? Also, I realize you care strongly about this, but there are certain rules deemed by the school, and if you wear something disruptive you should find some way to respect the guidelines set by the school. You lose some of your rights at the door, and while this example definitely shouldn’t be considered disruptive, your statement that “I can wear what I want” is incorrect. Also, the term “Jesus Shirt” is very disrespectful, it seems like you’re disregarding a whole religion and condensing it down to one person; consider changing it to “Christian Shirt.” Overall, this was a great article, and I completely agree with your point! It’s just simple things that show disrespect and some facts just aren’t true. Thank you for expressing your opinion, just keep in mind that even if you feel passionately about something, you still need to express things correctly.