Students and Flag T-shirts: Four Americans Singled Out

By: | May 7, 2010 | 107 Comments
Students and Flag T-shirts: Four Americans Singled Out

Four students have been singled out for wearing American flag t-shirts on Cinco de Mayo, as a result have become the focus of media attention. Live Oak High School officials asked these four students to take their t-shirts off and turn them inside-out so that other students could not see the American flag.

The reason for this was to avoid any confrontations during Cinco de Mayo. This has already caused a storm with more than 200 Hispanic students walking out of the school to demonstrate their support for Mexico. This is certainly big news and has now gone viral.

Live Oak sophomore said “It’s disrespectful to do it on Cinco de Mayo.” He went on to say “They can be a patriot on some other day. Not that specific day.” There have been calls for the four students to be suspended or expelled, but is this taking things too far?

According to MorganHillTimes, the four students who wore the red white and blue flag t-shirts said that by not allowing them to wear them was a violation of the First Amendment.

Do you think that it was right to ask the students to turn their t-shirts inside out?

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  • jimbo

    That is what we get for living in northern Mexico.

  • America First

    This country has gone nuts that a person can't wear an american flag, and show their national pride on what ever day they want. Cinco de Mayo is a mexican holiday celebrating a mexican army victory over the french in 1862. What does this holiday have to do with american school students. Seems to me that this holiday would only be celebrated in mexico.

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000696575584 Kirsten Schaenzer

      right, we dont go there and expect them to acknowledge 4th of july. if people of the united states, let alone high school students, want to participate, fine. but dont make it mandatory, and then take it to extremes, when students express patriotism for there own country instead…

      • Grace

        THEY DONT EVEN CELEBRATE 5 DE MAYO IN MEXICO.

      • Grace

        THEY DONT EVEN CELEBRATE 5 DE MAYO IN MEXICO.

  • America First

    This country has gone nuts that a person can't wear an american flag, and show their national pride on what ever day they want. Cinco de Mayo is a mexican holiday celebrating a mexican army victory over the french in 1862. What does this holiday have to do with american school students. Seems to me that this holiday would only be celebrated in mexico.

  • America First

    This country has gone nuts that a person can't wear an american flag, and show their national pride on what ever day they want. Cinco de Mayo is a mexican holiday celebrating a mexican army victory over the french in 1862. What does this holiday have to do with american school students. Seems to me that this holiday would only be celebrated in mexico.

  • Patriot

    It is wrong to ask them to take the shirts off or turn them inside out. The are patriots and this is the USA and not Mexico. Just having a Cinco de Mayo day is enough!

  • Concerned citizen

    This is America not Mexico. Why are these students being punished for wearing the AMERICAN flag.

    • cris

      Mexico is part of America!!! America is a continent NOT a country!!!! We live in the United States of America – Canada and Mexico just like us are part of the North American continent. And while I respect Cinco de Mayo for those it is important to, I also think we should all respect the flag. I also believe schools are put in a difficult place – they have to keep the students safe at all times and try to avoid any problems that can be seen coming. So, if they thought that there might be trouble, then it was good that they had these students turn their shirts inside out. And did these students wear these shirts because they are truly patriotic or because they just wanted to cause trouble?????

  • guest

    It is the American right to free speech that allows them to celebrate Cinco de Mayo anyway. What F***in county do they think this is?

  • Mills

    Suspended or expelled? Get a clue.

  • AirForce88

    I agree with concerned. This is AMERICA and I for one am proud of it. As a veteran and proud father of an Air Force son serving in the Middle East this is absolutely wrong to send these boys home.We should have more young people that are proud to being living in a free country and showing their respect for it. Hope the parents sue the school district for this act of discrimanation.

    • Kim

      I agree. We need to reinforce the ones that show the respect of living in this country deserves. Great to see the students and parents backing our country. The racist issue is getting out of hand. We, as Americans, are being attacked for racism in our own country by immigrants!

  • Beverly

    This news is shocking!!!! Does this mean if you wear red,white and blue on St Patrick's Day that you offend the Irish? Does this mean if you wear red, white and blue on Christmas that you offend God and Christians? Does this mean if you wear red, white and blue in February that you offend all Black Americans? I guess I could go on, but it won't matter, because Mexicans are probably the only ones that America OFFENDS. Well they offend me for several reasons. If they're going to be in America they need to act like Americans and stop all this nonsense!!!!!

  • EMI in NC

    Wow! Would never have imagined that wearing an image of the American flag in a U.S. school by a U.S. citizen would be a source of controversy regardless of the date or occasion. There is surprising, and there is absurd, and this is truly surprisingly absurd!

  • Beth

    Suspending or expelling these students is ridiculous and uncalled for! Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday and not a "recognized" or official holiday of the United States of America! What are people thinking? It is a privilege for the "Mexican-American" students to be allowed to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, not a right. I totally agree with everyone else that as Americans, we are entitled to be patriotic on whatever day we choose. We don't celebrate every other culture with a special recogized day do we: Italian-American, German-American, etc.

    • guest

      we spend weeks celebrating german heritage here. called Oktoberfest in Cincinnati. check it out

  • David O'DONNELL

    Thought we lived in a free country? People are free to express themselves as long as it does not infringe upon or upset the next person. Good Grief…! Don't think our forefathers ever envisioned this. People are to hyper-sensitive in this counrty anymore.Give em their Cinco-de-mayo day. Not my holiday, don't care what or who takes part or who doesn't. As far as the students that wore flags on their shirts it's their right, they broke no laws nor did they break the rules. If protestors left school, punish them. How does this affect me/you? Our Legal system in this counrty is a joke! Fix this and you fix this country until then the rest of the world will keep laughing …! Personnally I would worry more about socialism, our legal system and the economy.

  • David O'DONNELL

    OH my god It has to be approved? Hope i don't affend anyone!

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/CRJ2 CRJ2

    This is NOT mexico. IF students want to demonstrate their support for mexico they can GO THERE> and STAY!

    What would our founding fathers think of this?

  • overit

    Let's get this straight; They're in our country, a high percentage are probably illegal, and we're offending them? Is it just coincidental that the person making these decisions is Hispanic? We have collectively lost our minds as a country. It's small wonder the Tea Party Movement has gained so much momentum, at least they're about the rule of law, the Constitution, and common sense, all of which is sorely lacking!

  • overit

    Let's get this straight; They're in our country, a high percentage are probably illegal, and we're offending them? Is it just coincidental that the person making these decisions is Hispanic? We have collectively lost our minds as a country. It's small wonder the Tea Party Movement has gained so much momentum, at least they're about the rule of law, the Constitution, and common sense, all of which is sorely lacking!

  • Guest

    Why in the US of A are we celebrating another country's holiday? Go to Mexico if you want to celebrate their holiday. We really need to have a "Proud to be American" day.

    • guest

      its called July 4th

    • Proud2BAmerican

      We DO have a "Proud to be American" day…it's called Independence Day. But you do make a point there, Guest. And you know what??? I will wear my AMERICAN APPAREL ANY DANGED DAY I FEEL LIKE IT, AND IF SOMEONE IS OFFENDED BY IT, THEY CAN LOOK THE OTHER WAY. I respect their right to celebrate their country's honor, but not at the expense of the citizens of THIS country…the one they are also calling "Home".

    • Bob

      The 4th of July?

  • Carl

    The kids were showing support for Mexico–HUH? This is America. If they are so damned proud of Mexico, why don't they try to go to Mexico and live like they do here—free everything, etc. Celebrating Cinco de Mayo and I doubt they could find Mexico on the map! Maybe the principal needs to be suspended for good.

  • kev

    Anyone who thinks these students should be expelled need to be expelled from this country. This is America. Show some pride in Our country.

  • kev

    Anyone who thinks these students should be expelled need to be expelled from this country. This is America. Show some pride in Our country.

  • Army Brat

    I'm a full blown Army Brat and my wife, likewise, only Air Force. Both our Dads fought under that flag in 'Nam. Needless to say we are proud to wave it. What I would like to know is what gives a bunch of punky assed Mexican kids the right to say there are offended by the American Flag. It's because of that flag they have the right to say crap like that. The last time I looked at a map they're on American soil and if they're so offended by what we do on our own turf, then why don't they head South of the border so they won't be. I sure won't stop them.

  • Hernandez

    The students who have a problem with other student wearing the American Flag should go live in Mexico for a while and then come back and will be proud to sport Ole Glory

  • Bruce Masson

    If wearing an american flag t-shirt,in america,by an american offends anyone, they should crawl back under the fence ( all 2 hundred of them ! )

  • Don Hilyard

    All American Military should wear their uniforms inside for now on? The Mexican flag should fly above the Mighty Stars and Stripes for now on? Starting next year, all school children across America must learn Spanish, English will now be our second language? Enchiladas will replace turkey for Thanksgiving meal? Illegals should be allowed to commit any crimes without fear of any punishment by our laws? The U.S. should hand over control of our banking systems,Wallstreet and our military to the Mexican Gov? Illegals should be allowed to go into any business in America and not pay for anything?

  • Don Hilyard

    All American Military should wear their uniforms inside for now on? The Mexican flag should fly above the Mighty Stars and Stripes for now on? Starting next year, all school children across America must learn Spanish, English will now be our second language? Enchiladas will replace turkey for Thanksgiving meal? Illegals should be allowed to commit any crimes without fear of any punishment by our laws? The U.S. should hand over control of our banking systems,Wallstreet and our military to the Mexican Gov? Illegals should be allowed to go into any business in America and not pay for anything?

  • Don Hilyard

    All American Military should wear their uniforms inside for now on? The Mexican flag should fly above the Mighty Stars and Stripes for now on? Starting next year, all school children across America must learn Spanish, English will now be our second language? Enchiladas will replace turkey for Thanksgiving meal? Illegals should be allowed to commit any crimes without fear of any punishment by our laws? The U.S. should hand over control of our banking systems,Wallstreet and our military to the Mexican Gov? Illegals should be allowed to go into any business in America and not pay for anything?

  • uscitizen

    Take your anger out on this Novembers polls?

  • uscitizen

    Take your anger out on this Novembers polls?

  • Linda

    Give me a break…This is America, since when is it "wrong" to display our flag, regardless of what day of the year it is. If it offends some people and they don't like it, maybe they should "swim back" to their own country…

  • Army Brat

    I'm a full blown Army Brat and my wife, likewise,only Air Force. Both our Dads fought under that flag in "Nam. We are proud to wave it. It's quite bothersome for me to hear someone say they're offended by it. I mean, don't they understand it's that same flag that they're offended by that gives them the right to say stuff like. The last time I looked at a map they're on American soil and if by chance they're offended by what we do on our own turf. Well that's to bad.

  • Army Brat

    I'm a full blown Army Brat and my wife, likewise,only Air Force. Both our Dads fought under that flag in "Nam. We are proud to wave it. It's quite bothersome for me to hear someone say they're offended by it. I mean, don't they understand it's that same flag that they're offended by that gives them the right to say stuff like. The last time I looked at a map they're on American soil and if by chance they're offended by what we do on our own turf. Well that's to bad.

  • JM1

    I think 49 other states need to pass a law like Arizona.

    • wpettine

      I agree, there are things that Americans can do… for starters fly our flag…boycott Corona beer who made this insane holiday, boycott the employers who hire illegals, boycott anything from Mexico…including their drugs…do not pick up illegals to do landscaping…hit them and all illegals where it hurts…the wallet…the cash cow…that means "America" to them

    • wpettine

      I agree, there are things that Americans can do… for starters fly our flag…boycott Corona beer who made this insane holiday, boycott the employers who hire illegals, boycott anything from Mexico…including their drugs…do not pick up illegals to do landscaping…hit them and all illegals where it hurts…the wallet…the cash cow…that means "America" to them

  • http://holdyourspace.blogspot.com Pam Mila

    We live in a free country. How unfortunate the students were asked to remove the image that represents that fact. It is a violation of their rights taking place in an establishment of learning. Sounds as if this order symbolizes deeper problems in the school that need to be addressed!

  • Kim

    And what is happening to the over 200 students who walked out of school to demonstrate support for Mexico? Will they be suspended? If they still have alliance for that country, then they need to go back. A US citizen can wear our colors any day they want, this is America yet, right? Kudos to the parents and students who say they will not apologize for wearing our flag. We need to stand up for our country and keep it our country.

  • Geust

    It is certainly appropriate for anyone, even Americans, to show sympathetic support for Mexico or anywhere on this or any other day. I would assume that the students of Hispanic descent desiring to show support for Mexico are indeed Americans, else why are we paying for their education? As long as the intent is not to shame or belitlle, it would be wrong to deny anyone the right to show support for whatever country, athletic team, brand name, or idea they choose to support, and that includes the right of Americans to show support for America on EVERY day of the year! Doing one does not preclude the other any more than my wearing a yellow shirt today insists that those who do not are somehow inferior, or my wearing blue tomorrow signifys any rebellion on my part toward those continuing to wear yellow. Since Cinco de Mayo is the celebration military victory of Mexcico over France, I might ask how many students wearing French flagged shirts were sent home?

  • Graesyn

    Just another nail in the coffin of Freedom of Expression and American Rights. THIS is what happens when you vote in a Socialist Liberal for President of the USA! Americans are becoming an Endangered Citizen!!

  • Bud

    We cater to the mexican we learn there language so we can communicate with them, we change our school system to cater to them and now we are suppose to not show pride in our country. If they don't like america they can sneak back across the border.

  • Bud

    We cater to the mexican we learn there language so we can communicate with them, we change our school system to cater to them and now we are suppose to not show pride in our country. If they don't like america they can sneak back across the border.

  • Bud

    I havea son, daughter, and grandson defending this country so I can wear whatever I want if these mexican want to wear the mexican colors and ban us from wearing they should go back to mexico and let us get back to a one language system

  • Bud

    I havea son, daughter, and grandson defending this country so I can wear whatever I want if these mexican want to wear the mexican colors and ban us from wearing they should go back to mexico and let us get back to a one language system

  • Bud

    I havea son, daughter, and grandson defending this country so I can wear whatever I want if these mexican want to wear the mexican colors and ban us from wearing they should go back to mexico and let us get back to a one language system

  • rpmate

    When did wearing the colors and flag of the country in which you live become a bad thing. We are loosing what American is all about. We are loosing what makes people flood into this country for. People want all the great opportunities and freedoms of America but work so hard to break it down once they get here. I am proud of these students for standing up when so many other Americans I know just whisper their anger and don't stand up for it

  • cmg

    my opinion if you see a mexican wearing their colors ANYTIME then it is offensive to me u live in america and i am tired of the goverment and thepresident if wanna call him that…giving in to everyone ..and making americans feel like we are not welcome in our own country…if u dont like the way things are going and are so proud of your country then go there and stay…we are here and showing our pride for living here….but of course if the president has his way we all will be under a communist regime…bush started it and obama continues it.

  • PAT SCHMID

    If these Mexican students are so loyal to Mexico then let them go back there! IF THEY ARE GOING TO LIVE IN THE USA THEN THEIR NO LONGER LOYAL MEXICANS. THEY NEED TO DECIDE ARE THE LOYAL TO THE COUNTRY THAT IS GIVING THEM EVERYTHING? OR ARE THEY LOYAL TO THE COUNTRY THAT THEIR FAMILIES LEFT BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T MAKE A LIVING THERE? COME ON THEY CAN CELEBRATE CINCO DE MAYO AS AN ETHINIC THING IF THEY WANT TO BUT TO SHOW THEY ARE LOYAL TO MEXICO. DON'T THE AMERICAN KIDS HAVE THE RIGHT TO SHOW THEIR LOYALITY TO THE GOOD OLD USA?

  • PEGGYJ777

    No, they should not be punished in any way. If the mexican students don't like the American Flag they can always go back across the border and wear the Mexican Flag everyday and celebrate anything they so desire. This is AMERICA and the flag should never, ever come under attack for being displayed anywhere at anytime. I am sick and tired of America being bashed by other cultures who have come here to live the American dream but don't want to give up their old heritage. GO THE **** HOME! I am also sick of supporting them with my tax money.

  • Shawn

    Cinco de Mayo is not an American Holiday. I don't think the reaction would be the same if kids wore a shirt with the Mexican flag on the 4th of July. If an American flag on a t-shirt is considered something that would cause an uprising on Cinco de Mayo, what does that say about those kids who are upset by these t-shirts? Cinco de Mayo is a day that celebrates freedom and liberty. So any expression of freedom and liberty should be acceptable on any day of the year.

  • Catfish

    So American Studentsare punished forwearingtheir own flag, but it's okay to force studentsto celebrate a Mexican holiday? Somethingisscrewed up here. Are studentsin Mexico forcedto celebrate the 4th of July?

  • Catfish

    So American Studentsare punished forwearingtheir own flag, but it's okay to force studentsto celebrate a Mexican holiday? Somethingisscrewed up here. Are studentsin Mexico forcedto celebrate the 4th of July?

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000696575584 Kirsten Schaenzer

      exactly, i can understand trying to teach them the culture, and have an experimental kind of thing of celebrating it, because thats what school is for.
      but dont force people to celebrate any holiday, whether its there own or not….

  • J E Gaspardo

    This is the United States of America, not Mexico. I feel that any United States citizen has their first amendment right to celebrate within reason their ancestory in a reasonable manner. However, this does not give this person a right to quell another US citizen their right to celebrate their personal first amendment right to display the American flag on any day. This is a case in point that some liberal thinking trouble makers are trying to do away with our constitution. If they wish to do this, why don't they move out of the United States of America. We would be better without them!

  • J E Gaspardo

    This is the United States of America, not Mexico. I feel that any United States citizen has their first amendment right to celebrate within reason their ancestory in a reasonable manner. However, this does not give this person a right to quell another US citizen their right to celebrate their personal first amendment right to display the American flag on any day. This is a case in point that some liberal thinking trouble makers are trying to do away with our constitution. If they wish to do this, why don't they move out of the United States of America. We would be better without them!

  • charlie

    this is america when are we going to learn not to let other countries and other groups to tell us americans what we can wear this is our country probably half of those 200 were illegal anyways every day is an honor to be patriotic to wear red whit and blue cinco de mayo is not a holiday anyways. those 4 students should be commended not persecuted those 200 students that walked out of school should be suspended

  • proud-Legal-american

    I have yet to see any officials ask their group to not demonstrate or to not wave the mexican flag at any time because it would offend people. We are always expected to step back and let them demonstrate and protest but as soon as we do it the officials want to hold us back. We need to start protesting and demanding our rights or pretty soon we will be standing in line behind them and asking them for help.

  • proud-Legal-american

    I have yet to see any officials ask their group to not demonstrate or to not wave the mexican flag at any time because it would offend people. We are always expected to step back and let them demonstrate and protest but as soon as we do it the officials want to hold us back. We need to start protesting and demanding our rights or pretty soon we will be standing in line behind them and asking them for help.

  • proud-Legal-american

    I have yet to see any officials ask their group to not demonstrate or to not wave the mexican flag at any time because it would offend people. We are always expected to step back and let them demonstrate and protest but as soon as we do it the officials want to hold us back. We need to start protesting and demanding our rights or pretty soon we will be standing in line behind them and asking them for help.

  • Sandra Cota

    What country is this? Maybe we should make people take down the American flags from their homes too on Cinco de Mayo so as not to disrespect any neighbors. I don't even know what Cinco de Mayo is, and i don't think i need to because it has nothing to do with me or my country! If people feel so disrespected living in this country maybe they should go back and live in their native country and pay taxes there!

  • Sandra Cota

    What country is this? Maybe we should make people take down the American flags from their homes too on Cinco de Mayo so as not to disrespect any neighbors. I don't even know what Cinco de Mayo is, and i don't think i need to because it has nothing to do with me or my country! If people feel so disrespected living in this country maybe they should go back and live in their native country and pay taxes there!

  • D.

    Question I have is, are any of these comments being sent to the school principal. This is the United States of AMERICA, not the United States of AMEXICA. He or whomever this principal is should be made to clearly understand this. If an American citizen wishes to display the flag, it is their right and not yours to deny. If you thought it was inflamatory then you should have told the Meixcan students to chill, As to the young lady with her comment about disrespect. GET A CLUE. It is a Mexican holiday, not an American one. You want to show pride in your heritage. Spend some time in the library and learn the history. I am done with the hearts and minds thing with these people. If you don't like America after you sneak North across the border, I will be happy to show you the way you can sneak back under going South.

  • emma hill

    I am glad that the rest of the world can see how ridiculous the Latino attitudes have gotten, and what they are getting away with. It will make more people understand the frustration Americans are feeling over having its established culture spit upon.

  • MJ Zettle

    Being an American means pledging you allegiance to American and its flag. We are all of different cultures. If you wish to rejoice in your culture and celebrate it in America you should do so with all you might. That is why America is America. Freedom! You have a choice to celebrate or not to celebrate. Why should I be bullied into celebrating your cultural holiday? I am of a German culture. Should I bully you into drinking beer during October fest?? The Irish don’t force us to wear the flag of Ireland or eat soda bread, The Black don’t force us to wear the African flag during African American month. Don’t tread on me and I won’t tread on you.

  • MJ Zettle

    Being an American means pledging you allegiance to American and its flag. We are all of different cultures. If you wish to rejoice in your culture and celebrate it in America you should do so with all you might. That is why America is America. Freedom! You have a choice to celebrate or not to celebrate. Why should I be bullied into celebrating your cultural holiday? I am of a German culture. Should I bully you into drinking beer during October fest?? The Irish don’t force us to wear the flag of Ireland or eat soda bread, The Black don’t force us to wear the African flag during African American month. Don’t tread on me and I won’t tread on you.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000696575584 Kirsten Schaenzer

    if they choose not to acknowledge cinco de mayo because perhaps they arent mexican/open to other cultures, thats there choice and their right.
    it does seem a little disrespectful. howecer, i think expelling or suspending is taking it to far.
    that was their right to not acknowledge it and instead, show pride for their country.
    its not an american holiday, so it could be asking to much for your high school students to participate in it, and expect them to walk around displaying mexican colors/flags/whatever…

  • Matt Krausmann

    Wait , , , the students were within THEIR rights to wear the shirts so they are threatened with expulsion, while the students that walked out of scholl were doing so against school regulations . . . but I don't hear anyone threatening them with expulsion!!!!! Seems the school has it backwards . . .An american citizen has the right to be an AMERICDAN 24/7 in his or her own country regardless of what day of the year it is!!! Grow up America . . .the invasion continues!!!!!

  • Matt Krausmann

    Wait , , , the students were within THEIR rights to wear the shirts so they are threatened with expulsion, while the students that walked out of scholl were doing so against school regulations . . . but I don't hear anyone threatening them with expulsion!!!!! Seems the school has it backwards . . .An american citizen has the right to be an AMERICDAN 24/7 in his or her own country regardless of what day of the year it is!!! Grow up America . . .the invasion continues!!!!!

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/philogical philogical

    At no time should the American flag be placed in a subservient position to another country while being flown or worn in this country. It makes no matter what country your ancestry comes from or what day it is. If you wish to live here and call yourself an American then show the respect to the nation that it deserves. Remember this though; you have all of the rights that our country can give you, too include the right to leave. This hate America first tactic is straight from the old Russian Soviet play book. First you divide the people on racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds then you take over each small segment until you have completely taken over the country. Follow the rhetoric and the money and you will see just who it is that is trying to take over, and why. Oh and by the way for those of you who failed to study world history, Cinco-de-mayo is not celebrated as a national holiday in Mexico. It falls in the same category as VE Day or VJ Day

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/philogical philogical

    At no time should the American flag be placed in a subservient position to another country while being flown or worn in this country. It makes no matter what country your ancestry comes from or what day it is. If you wish to live here and call yourself an American then show the respect to the nation that it deserves. Remember this though; you have all of the rights that our country can give you, too include the right to leave. This hate America first tactic is straight from the old Russian Soviet play book. First you divide the people on racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds then you take over each small segment until you have completely taken over the country. Follow the rhetoric and the money and you will see just who it is that is trying to take over, and why. Oh and by the way for those of you who failed to study world history, Cinco-de-mayo is not celebrated as a national holiday in Mexico. It falls in the same category as VE Day or VJ Day

  • Ellis Clevenger

    I have the perfect plan for the Hipanic students who said they were offended by the wearing of the American flag by the "Patriotic Four". Send them on a field trip to Mexico. One way. Let's see how much they change their tune once they get there. No matter what they might think (and learn in school?), this is not the Estados Unites de Mexico. THIS IS THE UNITED STATES of AMERICA. The Hipsanic community should get used to the idea.

  • Ellis Clevenger

    I have the perfect plan for the Hipanic students who said they were offended by the wearing of the American flag by the "Patriotic Four". Send them on a field trip to Mexico. One way. Let's see how much they change their tune once they get there. No matter what they might think (and learn in school?), this is not the Estados Unites de Mexico. THIS IS THE UNITED STATES of AMERICA. The Hipsanic community should get used to the idea.

  • Ellis Clevenger

    I have the perfect plan for the Hipanic students who said they were offended by the wearing of the American flag by the "Patriotic Four". Send them on a field trip to Mexico. One way. Let's see how much they change their tune once they get there. No matter what they might think (and learn in school?), this is not the Estados Unites de Mexico. THIS IS THE UNITED STATES of AMERICA. The Hipsanic community should get used to the idea.

  • Sventi

    America is too patriotic it is becoming narcissistic- But anyway it is completely absurd that the students be told that. I hope they get fired.

  • Sventi

    America is too patriotic it is becoming narcissistic- But anyway it is completely absurd that the students be told that. I hope they get fired.

  • Sventi

    America is too patriotic it is becoming narcissistic- But anyway it is completely absurd that the students be told that. I hope they get fired.

  • Mike C

    Here is a clue, this is the United States of America, not Mexico. I can appreciate the people that celebrate Cinco De Mayo but look at where you are….THE USA, as for the 200 students that left in protest let the little snots go and never come back….oh yeah and here is another clue…..LEARN THE LANGUAGE….I am so sick and tired of having to hit one if I want to hear something in English the national language should be English and you should have to learn it if you are going to live here.

  • Proud2BAmerican

    This is the United States of America…any visitors or immigrants should respect OUR laws OUR constitution, OUR right to show support of our very own country. If you don't like OUR laws, OUR constitution, OUR NATIONAL observances of American Holidays, then you are welcome to leave. We (Americans) wouldn't dare to move to another country and EXPECT that country's citizens to buckle to our demands. Why should we be expected to do that in OUR OWN country? I realize that this country was founded BY immigrants, but I doubt ANY of them at that time would have EXPECTED our nation to cower down to one small group that cries out what an injustice it is to have the PRIVELEGE of living here! IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT HERE, LEAVE!!!!!!!!

  • Grace

    I would like to state the fact that this is a holiday that is not even celebrated in Mexico. I am Mexican and think that the U.S. makes a bigger deal out of a day that isnt even looked upon in Mexico. It doesnt make it correct the fact that they couldnt wear their shirts, its stupid. I woouldnt get offended if anyone wore an American Flag and maybe they should take a look at the principle who allowed this to go on, I doubt he was Mexican. However, for all the responses that say go back to your country , swim back, etc….. NOT ALL MEXICANS ARE ILLEGAL… your making yourself look stupid with those ignorant responses.

    • CatholicExDem

      You can't demand the RIGHT to walk all over our laws and suppress the rights of our citizens and not expect a push back. I have watched racist Hispanics present this attempt to bar USA citizens from wearing OUR flag as somehow 'tolerent and encouraging diversity', but all I see is PC bullies pretending that a holiday for Mexico somehow makes it racist for me in a whole other country to show my flag! The people of no other country beside Mexico demand that we lick their boots in this fashion. Also Grace, it is a LIE to say Assistant Principal Miguel Rodriguez is not a 'Mexican', I assume he is a USA citizen, but he is clearly doing the work of La Raza and his name, accent, and attitude toward Anglo students tell me all I need to know. One more thing – our "ignorant responses" are attempts to respond to the outrageous provocations of your own side. If the LA city council announces a boycott of Arizona, our responses are limited to things like boycotting California wine and produce and our local Mexican Restaurant and grocery. These may seem "stupid" to you, but it's all we have until November elections.

    • Dan

      Your statement about "NOT ALL MEXICANS ARE ILLEGAL" doesn't make much sense. If you are born in America or are a naturalized citizen, doesn't that make you American and not Mexican? In reality, you would be an American of Mexican decent. If you are living in this country and do not posess citizenship or a green card, you ARE ILLEGAL. That is what I thought.

  • Darlene

    FIRE THE VICE PRINCIPAL! SUSPEND ALL THE STUDENTS THAT PROTESTED THE RIGHT OF THE PATRIOT 4 TO WEAR OUR FLAG ANY DAY THEY CHOOSE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

  • Darlene

    FIRE THE VICE PRINCIPAL! SUSPEND ALL THE STUDENTS THAT PROTESTED THE RIGHT OF THE PATRIOT 4 TO WEAR OUR FLAG ANY DAY THEY CHOOSE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

  • Darlene

    I am behind the new immigration law in Arizona 100%.

  • Jim

    If the mexicans are so proud of their country, why dont they go back to the country they have destroyed? What are they trying to do now, destroy this one along with Mexico? Where will they go next, Canada? I say America love it or leave it. That principal needs to be fired. Those kids wearing the flag will be our next generation heros. Cinco de Mayo is not even a real holiday, it was stared by corona beer company, go figure. God Bess America, I hope i offended some with that remark.

  • patti

    I think its sad that these couldnt wear their american flag i think this is a digrace to america that you have a right to wear whatever you wont this is so unfair to these kids because this used to be A merica it is not what it used to be how is this such a disgrace to our country were Americans we should have the right to say what we want to and be proud of our american flag what is our world coming to you if you cant stand america go back to were you all belong dont be stupid this is our america i dont think these boys should be punished they did nothing wrong shame on you

  • Sensible

    If one wore a French flag shirt it would be making a statement. After all, it was Mexico's victory against the french that made Cinco de Mayo possible. Next Cinco, I'm wearing french and american flags. Only highschool students, polarized by external issues would be so reactive to a flag. The average CITIZEN or Naturalized Immigrant respects your right to practice religion, adorn yourself as you see fit, and speak your mind. Peacable democracy. It is the school's failure to properly educate its students, regardless of heritage, about the freedom of speech, expression, and RESPECT of other people and cultures, most importantly, that of the country in which they now reside. Ignorant arses.

  • David Davidson

    All of you seem to be saying the same thing. You all think they should be able to be patriotic everyday of the year but you are only looking at one side of the issue. Could these students have worn these shirts purposely to start a confrontation? Do these students have a history of racism? I do not pretend to know what happened but i do know that this is a country of immigrants and just because you were lucky to be born american does not mean you are american. Your ignorance is apparent. We will all eventually die from either old age or other ish, so why be such a butthead?

    • xero1221

      Well, I am pretty sure that these kids did wear those shirts to make a statement. I however cannot make any comment as to them being racist or anything other than I have not heard that and this is not about them being racist, which I am sure would have been mentioned if they were openly racist. The only problem that I have read about is the fact that they wore an American Flag on Cinco de Mayo, which isn't illegal or at least isn't in the Mid-West I grew up in. I really don't know why these kids took any kind of offense to them wearing an American Flag. I could also see if they were making distasteful comments towards the hispanic community, but again, it wasn't even mentioned.

  • Gurrg

    So wait… 200 kids left school "to show support" for Mexico? Right… I would have walked out too. What an excuse to miss class!

    On a more serious note: People need to stop being offended so easily. Grow some skin. Its not like the shirts said something like "CInco de Mayo is stupid" or anything.

  • Jerry

    No, it is never bad to show you're patriotism. I might also point out that we DO NOT live in Mexico, we live in the dear old USA. Would the Irish be offended by wearing a flag t-shirt on St. Patrick's Day? I think not! These people need to not be offended so easily..

  • jenny

    if they are so proud of their country and dont want people wearing american flag t-shirts… GO BACK TO MEXICO… this is america!! we can wear a shirt to support our country any day of the year. this makes me so upset, i cant believe that school punished those kids. they should be punished.. were they mexicans… hm… that would be interesting. i cant believe that students were protesting lmao i wonder if they know they are america.. seriously. thats just nuts. yeah if you dont like it, dont be here. go to mexico, take all your friends, and stay!

  • jeff

    this is the worst thing that i have ever heard of. why would these kids
    get punished for something like this. thats like saying that someone who
    doesnt say the plege of aligence in the morning can get punished, and
    you dont see anything like that happening. what about all the people
    that dont wear green on st. patricks day? better get those kids as well.
    this is america, land of the free becuase of the brave that fought and
    died for the right to fly that flag. i dont even know why we celebrate
    something like cinco de mayo anyways, its not like mexico does anything
    with our independance day. sounds like the school board members ned to
    pull their heads out of their a**es and find something better to b***h
    about. and as for the mexican kids that walked out of school to protest,
    they need to grow up realize that they dont live in mexico and get over
    it. theres always going to be something that someone doesnt like about
    someone else, just live with it and move on. guess im done ranting on
    this. cant wait to see the final outcome of this.

  • xero1221

    I think the fact that a small group of kids wearing a Flag T-shirt making ANY heads turn at all is a bad sign of things to come. It shouldn't matter what day they wore that T-shirt on, and I'm sure that these kids DID wear that shirt on purpose, but that shouldn't even matter. So now we can't protest any more? I'll believe that it was some small form of protest going on, but who really cares??? Our nation was ultimately founded by protesters if you think about it. And it has only gotten better through protesters that fought for what they believed in. It IS called freedom of speech and it is one of many BASIC rights of Americans accross this land. I don't think it's disrespectful to wear an American flag ANY day of the year, I think it's disrespectful to take any kind of offense to anyone that does wear one though. We are entitled to our opinions, but our rights remain firm.

  • adam darst

    “They can be a patriot on some other day. Not that specific day.”

    This is why we need to control who comes inside our borders. The day someone from another country has the balls to tell me when to be a patriot or not, is the day we need to put these non patriots down.

  • Vykkdraco

    This country has gotten to the point where the entire nation is so worried about offending others that we don't know when our own rights are being violated. I don't care what is going on, what day, what religion, what nation, what planet, what galaxy, what universe I am in. The day that I am penalized for wearing an american flag, is the day that I prepare for the start of another war. I am an american and I wear a flag on my uniform everyday. Come to kuwait where I currently am and tell me that on your "8th of MAY" I can't freakin wear a flag…..go ahead, I'm bored here anyhow, give me something to shoot at again.

  • Alex

    The Italians integrated. The Irish integrated. The Chinese and the English and the russians integrated. Can the Mexicans please follow suite, especially the ones that are here without going through official channels?

    And, ‘they can be patriotic some other day’ boy can tale a long walk of a short pier. Seriously? Kids these days…

  • Geoff

    I guarantee you if you take the 200 students who walked out "In support of Mexico", and drop them off in Tijuana — they will be begging to get back into this country. And if for some reason they wanted to stay in Mexico, who here would really miss 200 ungrateful, unpatriotic, and absurdly easily offended Hispanics?

    Also, I'm pretty sure the US is the ONLY country in the world that is now so terrified of being politically incorrect that we turn our backs on our own flag. In what other country could you go, as a foreigner, wearing the American flag, and ask the natives not to display THEIR flag because it offends you. In quite a few you would be arrested for asking such a thing.

    We are the land of the free. The Hispanics can celebrate their holiday, the Muslims can praise Allah, and so on and so forth. But not at the cost of whoring ourselves out of any sense of respect for our own damn country, out of some fear that we will seem racist or prejudiced.

    I say if most of the world already hates us, then let's damn well give them a REASON to hate us. Let's start requiring people to speak ENGLISH before they are allowed to become a citizen. Let's start deporting anyone who does not speak English and does not have any identification. Let's start flying planes into Iranian and Afghani buildings, and causing a bit of collateral damage. Let's hold public executions of anyone involved in terrorist acts against this country.

    America was once strong, but now we are weak due to the liberal ideals that try to please everyone. It's as if our country wants to be one of the "cool kids", and so we are giving our lunch money to other nations, hoping they will like us.

    Let's send a message that America can be, WILL be strong again. It's about damn time something changed.

  • Craig

    SCREW THIS PC CRAP, IF THEY BITCH, SEND THEIR SORRY ASSES ACROSS THE FFING BORDER.