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Even if the school had the right to deny these boys a graduation walk, I don't think it was a prudent or fair thing to do.

Yeah, the punishment may not have been fair, though I know I would've gotten suspended for that in high school, and that was almost 20 years ago in a lily-white suburb. Unlike Bloomington, Edina is still pretty much all white.

As I understand the story, the boys simply had the flag on their truck(s?). While that would not (and did not) escape notice, I don't think it's nearly as disruptive as waving the flag around inside the classroom, or wearing a t-shirt with the flag and some inflammatory slogan.

I agree.

The flag is controversial. But it is also cherished by a lot of people in this country for reasons that are not always sinister. Even if we are going to ban certain symbols from school parking lots, I don't think the Confederate battle flag needs to be one of them.

There's been a lot of debate, on this thread and others, as to the merit of displaying the Confederate flag. However, I still maintain these kids do not have any good, thought-out reason. Also, I'm really not sure if they do have the right to ban it. It's a big grey area.

There's been a lot of debate, on this thread and others, as to the merit of displaying the Confederate flag. However, I still maintain these kids do not have any good, thought-out reason. Also, I'm really not sure if they do have the right to ban it. It's a big grey area.

It is indeed.

Something else that bothers me about this story is the underlying idea that school kids need to be protected from everything offensive, distracting, or controversial. It's almost like kids are being conditioned to be perfect P.C. sheep...the overly litigious employees and parents of the future. I don't think that's healthy.

I understand that schools can't be a free-for-all. But at the same time, kids need to learn that sometimes people are going to hold beliefs they don't like or have a style they don't approve of. When that happens, they shouldn't be taught to expect someone to just banish whatever it is that makes them uncomfortable or excited. Living in a free society requires being able to operate even when the people around you are a little weird. Or a little stupid.