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.
It's always a long hot summer here in San Antonio.
If there's one good thing to come out of this, it might just be that some of our youngsters gain a new appreciation for what it means to be an American.
More importantly, some will understand that there has always been a price to be paid for that privlege, and that it's not something that we should just give away to anybody who demands that privlege.
These kids proudly displaying the American Flag sound like they have figured that out.
I live in California, my family is from New Mexico. Remember, in the West, the Spanish were here much earlier than people might think. Santa Fe was founded in the early 1600's as the capital of New Spain.
"...would YOU view that as a healthy development for the US?"
Of course not. Intent is everything, isn't it? I routinely see Americans flying Italian flags, Irish flags, Norweigan flags, Swedish flags, etc., but I don't see people getting exercised about that.
These people who bad mouth the US should go home. In fact, anybody who cannot bring themselves to forsake all foreign alliegences and swear fealty to the constutution of the United States are welcome to visit, but should ultimately return home.
Upon consideration, I guess my point in telling you about my family is to caution that we should not assume every Hispanic person is an illegal or recent arrival in this country (as has been done with me in the past). We should also learn about our history, because if we did, we would understand that perfectly loyal Americans have been speaking Spanish for as long as the Southwest has been part of the United States and that we have been here for centuries.
Next week they are scheduled to 'surround' the white house. I don't know how much longer they will choose to protest peacefully. Monday the Senate begins debating this issue again, but it won't be for what the protesters are asking, ah demanding. It will be interesting to see what happens. I heard one of the organizers say that 'they are no longer afraid" and that "now the time has come", La Revolucion Continua". It just sounded to me like desparation, they know what they want, they've got nothing to loose and they aren't stopping until they get it, even if it takes a Revolution. So, we'll see.
They're not citizens, or at best they do not represent citizens or any legitimate goals of our Republic, so they have no inherent reason to continue to limit themselves to means that remain within the system. Like all movements they will need and desire media coverage.
Once Congress has "done something" the media will consider the issue a non-news issue. To get coverage something dramatic will have to happen.
Things are going to get interesting.
"Only idiots do that."
And never underestimate the number of idiots out there. Good night.
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