NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- A full federal appeals court won't hear a lawsuit by three Tennessee students threatened with suspension if they wore Confederate flag T-shirts.
A three-judge panel ruled in August that Blount County, just south of Knoxville, could ban the clothing. On Friday, the judges denied a request for a hearing by the full federal appeals court in Cincinnati.
Students Derek Barr and Craig and Chris White argued their free speech rights were violated by the ban on clothes with the flag, which is considered a symbol of racism and intolerance by some and an emblem of Southern heritage by others.
Education, politics, and anything else that catches my attention.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Confederate Flag T-Shirts At School?
A federal appeals court says "no".
I don't think the Stars and Bars belong at school any more than I think a KKK shirt, a Nazi insignia or any other racist device should be allowed. I also have issues with groups such as Farrakhan's group, that espouse black unity as a means of intimidating other students. And that especially goes for gang apparel. Frankly, some of what passes for the hiphop/streetwear has some pretty provocative undertones. Just another reason to consider uniforms.
ReplyDeleteEllen, you have just nailed the problem -- your position is purely subjective, especially since those racist black shirts are allowed.
ReplyDeleteYour position is the equivalent of arguing that anti-gay shirts are forbidden while pro-gay shirts (which might trouble you) are permitted. Oh, waqit -- that is already what the 9th Circus "Court" has ruled.
I am not a racist. Anyone that knows me knows this, yet I don't see any problem with the confederate flag. While I don't think I would personally fly it/wear it on my T shirt I think anyone has a right to in the same sense that people have a right to wear the ever popular Che Guevara T shirts. What each of them stand for can be interpreted in different ways and is therefore a matter of personal belief. The government and courts should rule on the side of free speech despite what some people may consider bad taste.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure when it happened, but California hasn't been a part of America on many levels for a long time. The Ninth Circus just proves this, but the general demeanor of the population-present company excepted-is one of searching for Nanny State solutions. Is it any wonder so many folks are leaving, including corporations?
ReplyDeleteI taught Carson. Can you tell I'm proud? :-)
ReplyDeleteDarren, maybe you should teach social studies instead. Isn't it funny how many of us outside of that discipline seem to be doing their job? I can't tell you how many political discussions we have had in art. Not that everyone agreed, but frankly the discussions of my art students have been far more level headed and compassionate that the junk I have read on HuffinPuff post.
ReplyDelete1. Carson & Darren: Swastikas are OK then. And profanities should be good to go. Pornography on shirts could be very expressive and personal. Let it all fly under "freedom of speech." Why should government nanny us so?
ReplyDelete2. EllenK: what state is attracting all those corporations leaving CA? Where's the growth? They all moving to Michigan? Huffpo rawks!
From what and how you write it's clear why you choose to remain anonymous.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that anybody should equate the Stars and Bars with the Nazi Swastika or the KKK.
ReplyDeleteSome people do, and I think that is sad.
I have no roots in the South, so I have no desire to fly the flag of the South, but I would never consider someone who does racist.
You can be a racist and fly the Stars and Bars. You can have no racist bone in your body and fly the Stars and Bars.
ReplyDeleteWearing the Stars and Bars on a t-shirt is less offensive than some idiot wearing a "President Obama" t-shirt.
ReplyDeletechicopanther