Posted on 05/11/2006 4:06:15 PM PDT by SmithL
CASTRO VALLEY - Students waving American flags amidst racial tension between Latino and white students were back at Castro Valley High early this morning, with those on both sides expecting the situation to escalate.
At 7 a.m. several pickup trucks and other vehicles with American flags began arriving in one of the parking lots. The students then walked around the lot in a small, quiet demonstration.
Ashley Morrison, a junior, is upset some view these flag-wielders as "racist white kids." She said it is about supporting the country, and believes there's a double standard for students who bring flags representing other countries.
"We're just trying to prove a point," said Morrison, who drove up while playing "America the Beautiful" on her truck's stereo. "Most of us don't care about getting in trouble. People died for this country.
"We're just trying to support our country," she said.
Jessica Bisio, a senior who rode in with Morrison, had a shirt with the words "Keep America Free" handwritten on the back. She said while many of the students with American flags are from rural areas, they're not ignorant.
"So we're just (seen as) the hicks and rednecks," she said.
There were no demonstrations from the other side this morning. That was not the case during a lunch period Wednesday, the first day of confrontation between the two groups, when groups of students carrying Mexican flags countered those with the American flags, as cars honking support and yelling insults to both sides drove by. Several Alameda County Sheriff's deputies were on hand during lunch, as hundreds of students faced off. The two sides had also demonstrated Wednesday morning.
Javier Sanchez, a senior arriving to school this morning with a Mexican flag in his hand, said the experience has given him a negative view of the American flag which he did not have before.
"Now the American flag is racism more than anything else," he said.
School officials have said tensions have risen since the May 1 "Day Without Immigrants." About 56 percent of the 2,800-student school is white, while about 18 percent is Latino. As the school held its annual Cinco de Mayo celebration Friday, a group of students brought American flags. School officials say it was meant to counter the May 1 movement, and that racial and anti-immigrant slurs have been used, though students with the American flags say it is about patriotism and that they are the only ones being picked on.
The school on Monday said they asked students on both sides not bring the flags, which heightened the demonstrations. The school is now allowing students to have the displays but asks they be respectful and during non-class times, such as lunch or breaks. Students Thursday said a meeting between the two sides with school officials is planned.
Amparo Ozuna said since that day her daughter, a sophomore, has students tell her to "go home" and other racist remarks about Latinos.
"I believe in flying the American flag but not when it's used to intimidate people," said Ozuna, who was thinking about having her daughter come stay home for fear of her safety.
At some point Americans are going to rebel against the PC tryany. God bless us.
Ahhhh, but waving the Mexican flag isn't?
So go back to Mexico. The red, white, and blue is America. Get used to it, or get out.
Wonder if Javier Sanchez is illegal? Might be an anchor baby I guess.
And the Republic for which it stands...
The Mexicans were better off before they started following the Communist group ANSWER.
Before that, not too many people paid attention. Now, America wants them gone yesterday!
They played with Satan and got burned!
Just the name of the school tells you something.
But not America's leaders. This is a republic, after all.
"Castro Valley High
Just the name of the school tells you something."
Interestingly, this year the Minnesota Twins have a shortstop named Castro (from Mexico) and a third baseman named Batista (from the Dominican Republic).
Spot quiz! Name one country other than the US and Israel in which people displaying their national flag are attacked and punished...
I would allow and encourage State flags, too.
France
"I would allow and encourage State flags, too."
Yes, of course. I really meant the flags of other nations.
Oh, and anyone with a UN flag bumper sticker on their car should be shot on sight.
Castro Valley is named after Don Castro who was the Spanish land grant owner. Castro was a sheep rancher who supposedly lost his land grant in a card game.
During the 1940s and 1950s, Castro Valley was known for its chicken ranches. Later it developed into a bedroom community, where workers would live and commute to their jobs in the surrounding communities.
As opposed to the brown kids from "LaRaza"????
Maybe the White people should form a group called "The Race", give em somethin real to talk about!
bump
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