Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Students wearing t-shirts with an American Flag sent home

Wes Mantooth · 05-13-2010, 01:32 PM

Just a few thoughts because I'm killing a little time:

I can see the point of view of the students to some extent here, I understand that this is a celebration for Mexican-Americans but at the same time being Americans themselves should the American flag really be offensive or seen as incendiary? Isn't it their flag too? I can see having pride in ones heritage and I would support anyone's right to proudly do so, however I would ask why celebrating ones Mexican heritage has to mean that somehow the US flag becomes offensive? Just a question I'm mulling over in my own mind I suppose.

This story (to me) would make more sense if they were wearing shirts with anti Mexican slogans or blatantly going out of their way to be offensive towards Hispanics but were they really doing either by wearing an American flag? Is this really the same as say wearing a confederate flag t-shirt to an African American rally or showing up to a gay pride parade decked out with offensive anti gay slogans? That line doesn't seem like it was crossed here weather or not the students were trolling or just wearing what they always wear.

So I guess I can see how being called out for wearing an American flag could be a little off putting to those on the outside looking in (as in "why would that be offensive? I don't get it"). However as I stated before there is probably more to this story then is being reported and as usual the truth of the whole matter lies somewhere in the middle. I dunno, again just a few thoughts I figured I'd throw out there for some discussion as its kind of an intersting topic about where the line should be on what should and shouldn't be considered offensive.

05-13-2010, 01:32 PM	#104 (permalink)
Wes Mantooth Junkie Location: Tennessee	Just a few thoughts because I'm killing a little time: I can see the point of view of the students to some extent here, I understand that this is a celebration for Mexican-Americans but at the same time being Americans themselves should the American flag really be offensive or seen as incendiary? Isn't it their flag too? I can see having pride in ones heritage and I would support anyone's right to proudly do so, however I would ask why celebrating ones Mexican heritage has to mean that somehow the US flag becomes offensive? Just a question I'm mulling over in my own mind I suppose. This story (to me) would make more sense if they were wearing shirts with anti Mexican slogans or blatantly going out of their way to be offensive towards Hispanics but were they really doing either by wearing an American flag? Is this really the same as say wearing a confederate flag t-shirt to an African American rally or showing up to a gay pride parade decked out with offensive anti gay slogans? That line doesn't seem like it was crossed here weather or not the students were trolling or just wearing what they always wear. So I guess I can see how being called out for wearing an American flag could be a little off putting to those on the outside looking in (as in "why would that be offensive? I don't get it"). However as I stated before there is probably more to this story then is being reported and as usual the truth of the whole matter lies somewhere in the middle. I dunno, again just a few thoughts I figured I'd throw out there for some discussion as its kind of an intersting topic about where the line should be on what should and shouldn't be considered offensive. __________________ “My god I must have missed it...its hell down here!”