US students kicked of school campus for wearing US flag t-shirts

[Gandalf]

Agree with that, people that are madly patriotic scare me quite frankly. THey are seriously missing the bigger picture...

Me too. It is something I really don't connect with at all.

Getting on with a person is enough for me, I couldn't care less if they have a British passport.

so why are you taking such a hardline patriotic stance here? The important thing is the Mexicans got to celebrate their national day. Why provoke them by draping yourself in the American flag?

Because I do believe that people should do what they want in life just so long as they don't hurt others. A Korean wrapped in a Korean flag isn't going to kill me.

[Kev]

Me too. It is something I really don't connect with at all.

Getting on with a person is enough for me, I couldn't care less if they have a British passport.

so why are you taking such a hardline patriotic stance here? The important thing is the Mexicans got to celebrate their national day. Why provoke them by draping yourself in the American flag?

Because I do believe that people should do what they want in life just so long as they don't hurt others. A Korean wrapped in a Korean flag isn't going to kill me.

Tolerance and respect come before assertion of rights imo.

And the principle did do what he wanted and didn't hurt anyone so what are you moaning about?

[Gandalf]

so why are you taking such a hardline patriotic stance here? The important thing is the Mexicans got to celebrate their national day. Why provoke them by draping yourself in the American flag?

Because I do believe that people should do what they want in life just so long as they don't hurt others. A Korean wrapped in a Korean flag isn't going to kill me.

Tolerance and respect come before assertion of rights imo.

And the principle did do what he wanted and didn't hurt anyone so what are you moaning about?

Well, on there we will have to differ.

He hurt the rights of American kids who wanted to be punky flag bearers. And they had every right to do so. You can't just call the police because you are white and see a black person in the neighborhood sporting an afro. He might have been a psycho, but that's not the point. You are allowed to express yourself in a civil society. If the Mexicans are getting so upset by that, then maybe they need a bit of self reflection....and deportation orders.

[Kev]

Because I do believe that people should do what they want in life just so long as they don't hurt others. A Korean wrapped in a Korean flag isn't going to kill me.

Tolerance and respect come before assertion of rights imo.

And the principle did do what he wanted and didn't hurt anyone so what are you moaning about?

Well, on there we will have to differ.

He hurt the rights of American kids who wanted to be punky flag bearers. And they had every right to do so. You can't just call the police because you are white and see a black person in the neighborhood sporting an afro. He might have been a psycho, but that's not the point. You are allowed to express yourself in a civil society. If the Mexicans are getting so upset by that, then maybe they need a bit of self reflection....and deportation orders.

So quite literally, you are saying what the flag bearers were most likely saying.....'fuck off home'.

But in a non inciteful way that deserved no censorship of course.

[Gandalf]

Tolerance and respect come before assertion of rights imo.

And the principle did do what he wanted and didn't hurt anyone so what are you moaning about?

Well, on there we will have to differ.

He hurt the rights of American kids who wanted to be punky flag bearers. And they had every right to do so. You can't just call the police because you are white and see a black person in the neighborhood sporting an afro. He might have been a psycho, but that's not the point. You are allowed to express yourself in a civil society. If the Mexicans are getting so upset by that, then maybe they need a bit of self reflection....and deportation orders.

So quite literally, you are saying what the flag bearers were most likely saying.....'fuck off home'.

But in a non inciteful way that deserved no censorship of course.

What I am saying is that if you live in a new culture you should show some respect for it. Sure i hate Korea sometimes, but it's my home and I appreciate it for what it is. But I'm not going to decorate myself in the England flag and do a march just to prove a point to the natives just because it's a national holiday. And likewise when it's their special holidays I roll my eyes and laugh. I don't get upset by it though, I just take it for what it is.

If I don't like how things are, I can always go home and I know that. Same for these people if it is so upsetting for them. They are just being drama queens though.

[ono]

Me too. It is something I really don't connect with at all.

Getting on with a person is enough for me, I couldn't care less if they have a British passport.

so why are you taking such a hardline patriotic stance here? The important thing is the Mexicans got to celebrate their national day. Why provoke them by draping yourself in the American flag?

Because I do believe that people should do what they want in life just so long as they don't hurt others. A Korean wrapped in a Korean flag isn't going to kill me.

I don't understand how you can't see why it's provocative. It wouldn't be provocative on any other day, but to wear those colours/flag on that specific day and only on that specific day, is baiting. Plain and simple.

If anything the kids got rewarded for it anyway. They got sent home. I'd call that a result.

[Gandalf]

so why are you taking such a hardline patriotic stance here? The important thing is the Mexicans got to celebrate their national day. Why provoke them by draping yourself in the American flag?

Because I do believe that people should do what they want in life just so long as they don't hurt others. A Korean wrapped in a Korean flag isn't going to kill me.

I don't understand how you can't see why it's provocative. It wouldn't be provocative on any other day, but to wear those colours/flag on that specific day and only on that specific day, is baiting. Plain and simple.

If anything the kids got rewarded for it anyway. They got sent home. I'd call that a result.

If you are an Englishman living in England you should be able to wear those colours anytime you like, unless your school has a specific uniform in which case NOBODY should be wearing any colours. That's my point here, it is a school, if there is no uniform policy then the kids cannot be blamed. No Mexican colours and no US colours either.

[ono]

Because I do believe that people should do what they want in life just so long as they don't hurt others. A Korean wrapped in a Korean flag isn't going to kill me.

I don't understand how you can't see why it's provocative. It wouldn't be provocative on any other day, but to wear those colours/flag on that specific day and only on that specific day, is baiting. Plain and simple.

If anything the kids got rewarded for it anyway. They got sent home. I'd call that a result.

If you are an Englishman living in England you should be able to wear those colours anytime you like, unless your school has a specific uniform in which case NOBODY should be wearing any colours. That's my point here, it is a school, if there is no uniform policy then the kids cannot be blamed. No Mexican colours and no US colours either.

That's the thing though. They aren't wearing them anytime they like. They're wearing them on that specific day to spark a reaction from the Mexicans, and in my book that is extremely xenophobic.

[Gandalf]

I don't understand how you can't see why it's provocative. It wouldn't be provocative on any other day, but to wear those colours/flag on that specific day and only on that specific day, is baiting. Plain and simple.

If anything the kids got rewarded for it anyway. They got sent home. I'd call that a result.

If you are an Englishman living in England you should be able to wear those colours anytime you like, unless your school has a specific uniform in which case NOBODY should be wearing any colours. That's my point here, it is a school, if there is no uniform policy then the kids cannot be blamed. No Mexican colours and no US colours either.

That's the thing though. They aren't wearing them anytime they like. They're wearing them on that specific day to spark a reaction from the Mexicans, and in my book that is extremely xenophobic.

I just don't get how the Mexicans living in America can be upset by American people wearing their own colours. It is a bit rude, but that's it. Would it really upset you that much? I know it wouldn't bother me. If the Koreans all started wearing Korean flags, would I be upset? No, I know they are all hardened nationalists. It wouldn't bother me a bit.

[ono]

If you are an Englishman living in England you should be able to wear those colours anytime you like, unless your school has a specific uniform in which case NOBODY should be wearing any colours. That's my point here, it is a school, if there is no uniform policy then the kids cannot be blamed. No Mexican colours and no US colours either.

That's the thing though. They aren't wearing them anytime they like. They're wearing them on that specific day to spark a reaction from the Mexicans, and in my book that is extremely xenophobic.

I just don't get how the Mexicans living in America can be upset by American people wearing their own colours. It is a bit rude, but that's it. Would it really upset you that much? I know it wouldn't bother me. If the Koreans all started wearing Korean flags, would I be upset? No, I know they are all hardened nationalists. It wouldn't bother me a bit.

Because it's the message that the t-shirt conveys. And it's the thought that's gone in to choosing to wear it on that very specific way. That's what some Mexican people might find upsetting. It's the acknowledgment that they're not really accepted by some Americans. Granted, you'd be okay with it in Korea, but i find it hard to believe that you're viewed as a second class citizen in Korea (correct me if i'm wrong).

Plus the teacher only sent them home in case it caused a problem.

[Gandalf]

That's the thing though. They aren't wearing them anytime they like. They're wearing them on that specific day to spark a reaction from the Mexicans, and in my book that is extremely xenophobic.

I just don't get how the Mexicans living in America can be upset by American people wearing their own colours. It is a bit rude, but that's it. Would it really upset you that much? I know it wouldn't bother me. If the Koreans all started wearing Korean flags, would I be upset? No, I know they are all hardened nationalists. It wouldn't bother me a bit.

Because it's the message that the t-shirt conveys. And it's the thought that's gone in to choosing to wear it on that very specific way. That's what some Mexican people might find upsetting. It's the acknowledgment that they're not really accepted by some Americans. Granted, you'd be okay with it in Korea, but i find it hard to believe that you're viewed as a second class citizen in Korea (correct me if i'm wrong).

Plus the teacher only sent them home in case it caused a problem.

No, I am not seen as a second class citizen.

But you know, I do worry about the future and my children. They won't be English and they won't quite be Korean, but no chance they will ever end up in a situation such as this. They will need to respect their Korean side as well as their English side. I would always teach them about the idiocy of real life people and how characters in books are so much better than the twits on forums.

[Kev]

If you are an Englishman living in England you should be able to wear those colours anytime you like, unless your school has a specific uniform in which case NOBODY should be wearing any colours. That's my point here, it is a school, if there is no uniform policy then the kids cannot be blamed. No Mexican colours and no US colours either.

That's the thing though. They aren't wearing them anytime they like. They're wearing them on that specific day to spark a reaction from the Mexicans, and in my book that is extremely xenophobic.

I just don't get how the Mexicans living in America can be upset by American people wearing their own colours. It is a bit rude, but that's it. Would it really upset you that much? I know it wouldn't bother me. If the Koreans all started wearing Korean flags, would I be upset? No, I know they are all hardened nationalists. It wouldn't bother me a bit.

Miles if South Korea decided to celebrate an National British day and on that day, and that day only several of your fellow Korean teachers turned up draped in the Korean flag I guarantee you you would take offence to that and feel as if they were deliberately telling you to fuck off home.

It has NOTHING to do with rights, freedoms or political correctness, it's just simple racism and aggression.

It's no different really to the crazed Phelps Baptist church picketing the funerals of fallen US soldiers and celebrating their deaths.

Yes it IS their right to do so according to freedom of speech, but it's an incitement to hate and violence and so everybody universally hates them for it.

You just sound like a racist to me, or at the very least someone who is happy to offend an entire minority group in order to make a very petty point.

[ono]

That's the thing though. They aren't wearing them anytime they like. They're wearing them on that specific day to spark a reaction from the Mexicans, and in my book that is extremely xenophobic.

I just don't get how the Mexicans living in America can be upset by American people wearing their own colours. It is a bit rude, but that's it. Would it really upset you that much? I know it wouldn't bother me. If the Koreans all started wearing Korean flags, would I be upset? No, I know they are all hardened nationalists. It wouldn't bother me a bit.

Miles if South Korea decided to celebrate an National British day and on that day, and that day only several of your fellow Korean teachers turned up draped in the Korean flag I guarantee you you would take offence to that and feel as if they were deliberately telling you to fuck off home.

It has NOTHING to do with rights, freedoms or political correctness, it's just simple racism and aggression.

It's no different really to the crazed Phelps Baptist church picketing the funerals of fallen US soldiers and celebrating their deaths.

Yes it IS their right to do so according to freedom of speech, but it's an incitement to hate and violence and so everybody universally hates them for it.

You just sound like a racist to me, or at the very least someone who is happy to offend an entire minority group in order to make a very petty point.

I wouldn't say he sounds like a racist but other than that i fully agree with your post.

[Gandalf]

That's the thing though. They aren't wearing them anytime they like. They're wearing them on that specific day to spark a reaction from the Mexicans, and in my book that is extremely xenophobic.

I just don't get how the Mexicans living in America can be upset by American people wearing their own colours. It is a bit rude, but that's it. Would it really upset you that much? I know it wouldn't bother me. If the Koreans all started wearing Korean flags, would I be upset? No, I know they are all hardened nationalists. It wouldn't bother me a bit.

Miles if South Korea decided to celebrate an National British day and on that day, and that day only several of your fellow Korean teachers turned up draped in the Korean flag I guarantee you you would take offence to that and feel as if they were deliberately telling you to fuck off home.

It has NOTHING to do with rights, freedoms or political correctness, it's just simple racism and aggression.

It's no different really to the crazed Phelps Baptist church picketing the funerals of fallen US soldiers and celebrating their deaths.

Yes it IS their right to do so according to freedom of speech, but it's an incitement to hate and violence and so everybody universally hates them for it.

You just sound like a racist to me, or at the very least someone who is happy to offend an entire minority group in order to make a very petty point.

My original argument was about the shirts and that people should wear what they want no matter what the faith of those who disagree on that particular day is.

Actually, no Bilbo, I wouldn't be offended by those teachers. It wouldn't bother me. Despite your argument, I am not nationalistic and never will be.

And I cannot believe you have just suggested that I am a racist. You are better than that Bilbo!

[generalbulldog]

That's the thing though. They aren't wearing them anytime they like. They're wearing them on that specific day to spark a reaction from the Mexicans, and in my book that is extremely xenophobic.

I just don't get how the Mexicans living in America can be upset by American people wearing their own colours. It is a bit rude, but that's it. Would it really upset you that much? I know it wouldn't bother me. If the Koreans all started wearing Korean flags, would I be upset? No, I know they are all hardened nationalists. It wouldn't bother me a bit.

Miles if South Korea decided to celebrate an National British day and on that day, and that day only several of your fellow Korean teachers turned up draped in the Korean flag I guarantee you you would take offence to that and feel as if they were deliberately telling you to fuck off home.

It has NOTHING to do with rights, freedoms or political correctness, it's just simple racism and aggression.

It's no different really to the crazed Phelps Baptist church picketing the funerals of fallen US soldiers and celebrating their deaths.

Yes it IS their right to do so according to freedom of speech, but it's an incitement to hate and violence and so everybody universally hates them for it.

You just sound like a racist to me, or at the very least someone who is happy to offend an entire minority group in order to make a very petty point.

Number 1, no matter how hateful or unpopular the speech or expression is, one can express them in America today. That's how the 1st amendment works. And tbh, even if the kids wanted to make a statement with those shirts they are well within their rights.

A famous case in the 1970s tested the 1st amendment rights. A group of Nazis wanted to march through Skokie, Ohio where a group of Jewish Holocaust survivors were residing. The community was in a uproar and wanted to stop the event. The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) headed by a Jewish man wanted to protect and argued in favor of the 1st amendment rights for the Nazi protestors. His reasoning was that the 1st amendment rights protected freedom of speech and expression, no matter how offensive or unpopular it is. The courts sided with the ACLU and said they were right, that is the basis of the 1st amendment right.

It's something you won't understand. Europe and America are just entirely different with regards to situations like this.

And BTW, stop calling people racist when they don't agree with you. It's pathetic, although not as bad as being sexually attracted to little kids.