High School Kids Suspended for Wearing American Flag Shirts

[Coito ergo sum]

Now where did I read "Nobody has the right to not be offended"?

I guess it's "certain people have a right not to be offended about certain things."

[Coito ergo sum]

Sure, but your assumption is that they were taunting. Wearing an Old Navy t-shirt with an American flag on it is not taunting. Now, if they were doing other things, or saying other things, that were taunts to other kids, then school administrators should step in.

Taunting should be banned. Let's start with pep rallies and cheers at football games.

well, perhaps "taunting" was an ill-advised word - what I was thinking of when I used that word was more like harassing or bullying. I fully acknowledge that schools have to restrict speech in much the same way an employer has to restrict speech.

[owtth]

Even if the kids wearing the flag were being dicks about it and taunting I don't see how anyone can possibly justify this over-reaction? As a non-USian I am constantly amazed by the abundance of flags in the US, they're everywhere, It can certainly be construed as jingoistic but if flags are what floats your boat then go for it.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Sure, but your assumption is that they were taunting. Wearing an Old Navy t-shirt with an American flag on it is not taunting. Now, if they were doing other things, or saying other things, that were taunts to other kids, then school administrators should step in.

Taunting should be banned. Let's start with pep rallies and cheers at football games.

well, perhaps "taunting" was an ill-advised word - what I was thinking of when I used that word was more like harassing or bullying. I fully acknowledge that schools have to restrict speech in much the same way an employer has to restrict speech.

Actually, I'm fine with "taunting", it's the core of most football/basketball cheers. And it's officially sanctioned because "sports iz kool!" So we have arbitrary lines here, as anywhere.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Even if the kids wearing the flag were being dicks about it and taunting I don't see how anyone can possibly justify this over-reaction? As a non-USian I am constantly amazed by the abundance of flags in the US, they're everywhere, It can certainly be construed as jingoistic but if flags are what floats your boat then go for it.

"...it can certainly be construed as jingoistic"

No, it's pride, not war-mongering. I love it here. And I've sampled enough of the planet to make an informed choice.

[owtth]

No, it's pride, not war-mongering. I love it here. And I've sampled enough of the planet to make an informed choice.

I chose my words carefully, I am not saying it's war-mongering just that it can give that perception.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

No, it's pride, not war-mongering. I love it here. And I've sampled enough of the planet to make an informed choice.

I chose my words carefully, I am not saying it's war-mongering just that it can give that perception.

I replied just as carefully. The perception of jingoism comes from what? Is the flag display supposed to support an attack on another country? (Some might, but the vast majority celebrate our nation, with no points being scored off any other.)

[owtth]

I replied just as carefully. The perception of jingoism comes from what? Is the flag display supposed to support an attack on another country? (Some might, but the vast majority celebrate our nation, with no points being scored off any other.)

I think the perception comes solely from the higher status given to the national flag in the US compared to that given to national flags in other countries. To certain outsiders (like myself) it is unusual to view a flag as such a strong symbol as it is in the US. Perhaps it is just my own bias as the only time I have seen a similar preponderance of flags was in Northern Ireland where every neighbourhood was covered in either Union Jacks or Tricolours.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I replied just as carefully. The perception of jingoism comes from what? Is the flag display supposed to support an attack on another country? (Some might, but the vast majority celebrate our nation, with no points being scored off any other.)

I think the perception comes solely from the higher status given to the national flag in the US compared to that given to national flags in other countries. To certain outsiders (like myself) it is unusual to view a flag as such a strong symbol as it is in the US. Perhaps it is just my own bias as the only time I have seen a similar preponderance of flags was in Northern Ireland where every neighbourhood was covered in either Union Jacks or Tricolours.

But that's not Jingoism.

A highly belligerent patriotism. Chauvinism. Originated in 19th century Britain when a popular song criticized government restraint during an international crisis: "We don't want to fight, Yet by jingo, if we do, We've got the ships, we've got the men, And got the money, too!" ...

[owtth]

But that's not Jingoism.

No it's not, but it can be construed as jingoism, or misconstrued if you like.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

But that's not Jingoism.

No it's not, but it can be construed as jingoism, or misconstrued if you like.

I suppose if you don't know/understand the word it can be construed as such.

[owtth]

But that's not Jingoism.

No it's not, but it can be construed as jingoism, or misconstrued if you like.

I suppose if you don't know/understand the word it can be construed as such.

Which word?

[Trolldor]

I think what Owtth is saying is that... it's like this.

A father walks in to a bank carrying his son's Toy Gun. Let's say his Son goes off with his mother, the father is still holding the Toy Gun. The bank teller sees the Toy Gun and assumes it's real. The man is innocent enough, but the bank teller only has an outside perspective.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

But that's not Jingoism.

No it's not, but it can be construed as jingoism, or misconstrued if you like.

I suppose if you don't know/understand the word it can be construed as such.

Which word?

"Jingoism". It's being used inappropriately here. The vast majority of the flags are not being aimed at another country, so there's no war-mongering going on. So a simply display of a flag, say at a school, would be called "jingoism" only if one doesn't understand what the word means.

[owtth]

"Jingoism". It's being used inappropriately here. The vast majority of the flags are not being aimed at another country, so there's no war-mongering going on. So a simply display of a flag, say at a school, would be called "jingoism" only if one doesn't understand what the word means.

Again, I never said it was jingoism, just that it can be interpreted as such. Kind of like what BAA said, only without using a gun.