Posted on 01/06/2006 12:05:39 PM PST by stainlessbanner
BURLESON — Two North Texas high school students who were kicked out of class for displaying rebel flags vow to take their fight to court. They said they are proud of their heritage, but Burleson High School education officials maintain the Confederate symbol is offensive.
Ashley Thomas remembered how it all started. "Principal comes up and says, 'You've got to get rid of your purse... it's racist."
Ashley and Aubrie McAllum both received purses patterened after the Confederate battle flag from their parents for Christmas. Both girls decided to take their presents to school.
"I don't have 'KKK' written on me or anything; it's just a purse," Aubrie said. "Doesn't have anything to do with what color you are."
The students were asked to leave their purses with the principal; they elected to leave school after calling their parents.
Ashley was sent home three times this week. "I'm at the point where I really don't know what to do," she said. "I want to keep going to school and get my education, but this is my life. I was born and raised in the South. Why is the flag so bad?"
Here's the answer, from Burleson ISD spokesman Richard Crummel: "It's a violation of the dress code," he said. "We don't want students to wear anything that might cause a disruption, and that symbol has done that in the past."
"Then that's a heritage violation on her, on me... on all of us," said Aubrie's father, Rick McAllum. "So we can push it."
McAllum belongs to the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Ashley's mom, Joni Thomas, is from New York. But the parents of both girls praised their daughters, and vowed to fight.
"I'm hiring a lawyer," Thomas said. "I'm going all the way with it, because I think it's wrong."
Burleson High School, with a 2,200 student enrollment, is about 90 percent white, 8 or 9 percent Hispanic. There are very few African Americans.
"We want to be sensitive to everyone; make it comfortable in school for all our students," Crummel said.
Both girls said they have never been in trouble and don't want trouble now.
But they don't want to back down, either.
School officials know controversy often follows the Confederate flag, and they will not let it in.
The girls as of Friday, decided to go back to school
"alot of the Tejanos who are 2nd and 3rd generation, they're basically South Texas rednecks. Rebel flags and all."
True in our extended family.
If you click the google ads at the top of this webpage, you'll find all kinds of cool Confederate stuff!
Doesn't matter. The PC liberals will feel "uncomfortable" for you.
So you think the slaves would have rather continued to work for free vs earning a paycheck? You can't be that ignorant. Reasoning like that would make Saddam proud.
90% of the group has to act a certain way as not to offend 10%???????
I'm offended by her West Coast Choppers T-shirt ;-)
Would you add me to your ping list? thanks.
I am sure there are people who find solid colors offensive for some reason.
Lighten up.
So9
The school officials are idiotic for trying to ban the bags. However, you can't deny that the rebel flag has been taken over by some pretty creepy racist elements in the 20th century. Most people associate it with these elements, not with the civil war.
How 'bout the LV or D&B bags being a symbol of rich "in your face" oppression of the poor?...........
Hispanics fought for the Confederacy. Oh and, so did Jews. Don't tell Abe Foxman, he'll have a heart attack.
"I'm hiring a lawyer," Thomas said. "I'm going all the way with it, because I think it's wrong."
You GO, Girl!
What about the black, red and green flag? It's a black power flag and some people see that as racist.
Didn't have to replace the 'MinuteMen'.
Just put an earring in his ear and he's cool.
bttt
The folks who are "offended" by the battle flag are mostly ignorant.
So you think the slaves would have rather continued to work for free vs earning a paycheck.
Nobody ever worked for free,then again you might be right...Minimum Wage is about as free as you can get.
He will hold his ears so he can avoid the truth..
The civil war is so yesterday.
All the idiots who lost the dumbest war in history are DEAD!
So did The Cherokee Nation,The last Southern General to lay down his sword was a Cherokee .
When I wore my General Sherman "I'm Marching To the Beach" T-shirt. I got dirty looks down south.
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