Salinas Teacher Calls This Drawing "Offensive" (U.S. Flag, 'God Bless America')

NBC11 ^ | Tue, May 11, 2010 | LORI PREUITT and SHAWN BROUWER

[nickcarraway]

A week after a school Morgan Hill made national news for sending five students home for wearing American flag T-shirts on Cinco de Mayo, a school in Monterey County finds itself in the flag spotlight.

This one involves an art project. A Salinas middle school student said her teacher stopped her from drawing the American flag, while another student's picture of President Obama was praised.

Tracy Hathaway said the art teacher at Gavilan View Middle School told her daughter she couldn't draw the American flag because it was offensive.

Hathaway said they were shocked when they heard what happened. They have met with the teacher and principal at Gavilan View Middle School, but were not satisfied with outcome of that meeting. When the parents asked the teacher what she thought was offensive about drawing, the teacher didn't answer them, Hathaway said.

The Hathaways now want a "real" apology.

"My daughter wasn’t trying to break any rules and she wasn’t trying to create a scene," Hathaway told Fox radio. "She was just expressing her view and saying this is America and I want God to bless it."

The Hathaways said the issue isn't about race, adding that the teacher is white.

Racism crept into the discussion following the Fox report. The school says it has received more than 200 e-mails and phone messages in recent days, most of them containing hateful and racist comments. "(Messages say) that we have violated that student's First Amendment rights and the so-called teacher needs to 'get the hell out of my country,'" said District Superintendent Mike Brusa.

Brusa said another meeting is planned for later his week between the teacher, parents and Hathaway, and that an apology may be in order.

Although Brusa wouldn't discuss whether any disciplinary action has been taken, or will be, the teacher involved wasn't on campus Monday.

The incident actually happened several weeks ago, but KSBW television covered the story Monday night. At the time of the Fox report, School District Superintendent Mike Brusa sent Fox the following statement:

When we were aware there may be additional concerns, I asked the administration to contact parents again to see if there is any expectations from prior contact that have not been met. The Principal did so, and indicated the parents were satisfied that the situation had been handled. They told the Principal they had twittered Fox and had indicated that the situation had been handled. Secondly, there are 3,000 students in the district, 250 employees, and parents that go with the students. Every day there are many interactions that occur between all these individuals. As I indicated, this event occurred several weeks ago, and in that time there would be literally thousands of events large and small between the people involved with the school. This was one small event that did not even come to the level of my office. There is an informal and formal process that is used to resolve issues. The school administration and the parents did not view this as significant enough to bring it to the Superintendent’s office. Thank you for allowing me to clarify this situation.

[Kenton]

I'd recommend holding an auction and using the proceeds to fund her transfer to a private school.

Best post yet!

[rottndog]

T-shirts I can handle...I’ll have to find out about bumper stickers....

I agree what another poster said—this kid should copyright this drawing—what an incredible lesson for her, as well as the other kids.

[apocalypto]

THX

[righttackle44]

"I consider it to be the equivalent of war."

Oh, you! consider it to be an act of war. So we
depend on you! to be the arbitrater of our
national laws. You! Well when we get to be a
nation run by hysterical tyranny and chaos, then maybe
I'll come to you for leadership,though that may be after
you're tried and executed by the USA for sedition.

[hinckley buzzard]

I never advocate the commission of violent acts but if this "teacher" had an unfortunate encounter with a lead pipe, headfirst, you might say, it would have a salutary effect on the quality of education in this particular rabbit warren.

[TLI]

though that may be after you're tried and executed by the USA for sedition.

It appears that you can read however you are demonstrating a lack of understanding.

Do you comprehend the word "repealed?"

Or perhaps you are firmly convinced that this nation is somehow required to submit to the whims of third-world criminals?

Could it be that in your elevated position of understanding you are convinced that I am not allowed to have an opinion on the presence of 30 million criminal illegal aliens that flaunt their illegal presence in the faces of American Citizens and legitimate, law-abiding immigrants?

Perhaps you believe that you do in fact have the moral authority to deem me "unfit" and as you proclaim, I should be executed?

Are you in fact becoming hysterical?

Does not your call for my execution constitute tyranny on your part?

Is this too many questions in a row for you?

.

[CMS]

If you live in AMERICA think the AMERICAN FLAG is offensive then you need to move to another country immediately!

[SevenofNine]

What the teacher nationality just asking

[TXnMA]

The sentiments are fine. However, I am not in favor of defacing our Flag with text.

[Fred]

not a bumper sticker, an American flag sticker.

[rottndog]

I stand corrected.

[ScottinVA]

God help us if the US ever has to go to war with a country or coalition fielding even a semblance of a modern military force. The USA will get annihilated. I fear that is exactly what will happen when we finally come to blows with the Russians and Chinese.

It would depend upon the theater of operations. The Russians and Chinese would have a harder time taking us down here on our home territory, but if we attempted to fight them on their side of the globe, we're toast, at least conventionally.

[attenyw]

This world is getting so crazy remember the lady who wanted prayer removed from school she bled out alone in her home for days no one even knew she has been hurt but a lack of faith is why she died the way she did. So much is currently going on in California, the state is broke, it's become like Sodom and Gamorrah all type of sin run ramped in the city. Crimes against women and children have trippled across the nation. As for Obama read his book and review his campaign train he said he wanted to bring Christianity to it's knees his wife said the same. If we don't get it together as one nation under God we will be eventually be fighting wars on our home soil. children are running wild killing parents. there is not fear of police or jail. rapist are bolder but if you kill someone breaking into you home or trying to rape you daughter or grandchild you will go to jail before the rapist or robber will, I put my children under the protection of God each time they walk out the door. WE need to believe in something or we tend to fall for anything like Obama for president. I believe he has created the biggest deception over people by making them believe he was something he is not his wife looks like a devil. people need to pray for a spirit of discernment to not be fooled with a different idea yout may think its new and good but all his decisions favor big business and the government all the people got was $25 dollars in unemployment none of his changes help bail out the working class American don't trust him and as for congress and the senate they should only be able to have 2 9-year terms when a congressman has to be wheeled into session to cast his vote he has been in office too long. that is the kind of change that is needed.as for Mexicans they are positioning themselves to take over this country and we are just letting in the criminal elements from other countries come here because hear the criminal has more rights than their victims. No community should be held captive by gangs bring in the national guard and shoot to kll if yo u son or daughter is old enough to join a gang they are old enough to get shot.