School reverses (Confederate) flag ban

News and Observer ^ | January 30, 2003 | ELLEN SUNG

[mykdsmom]

CLAYTON -- Johnston schools Superintendent James Causby said Wednesday that Clayton High School will no longer stop students from wearing the Confederate flag after a parent complained that the ban was unconstitutional.

Clayton High School principal Jerry Smith banned the symbol Oct. 30, when a group of students wore Confederate insignia to school on the same day in memory of a friend who died the previous year. Smith told the students the Confederate symbol violated the district's dress code, which prohibits clothing that disrupts the classroom.

Some students protested the next day by wearing the emblem again. School officials said the flag was sometimes an incendiary symbol associated with white supremacism, and the students agreed to change clothes. The debate soon died down.

"One day it was the hottest topic on campus, and two days later it was like it was gone," guidance counselor Rodney Allred said.

But Terry Shelton of Clayton, a Civil War re-enactment buff and parent of three Clayton High students, argued that the emblem had not actually disturbed class and that banning an emblem because of its potential for disruption was a violation of free speech.

"I do absolutely agree that that flag has been misused by a lot of white supremacist organizations, who I adamantly denounce," Shelton said. "My point was, you can't preach tolerance if you pick and choose what you will tolerate."

He met with Smith, who stood by the ban, and later with Causby, who also upheld it.

The county Board of Education would have made a final decision in February. But Causby and school board attorney Jimmy Lawrence reviewed the legal precedents again last week and this time agreed with Shelton.

In 1969, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that students had the right to express their opinions as long as they did not disrupt class -- and that this freedom of expression extended to clothing.

"Based upon that, my attorney looked back, and we concluded he had some valid points here, and it's better to handle this issue administratively than to make it a big issue," Causby said.

Jennifer Moon, a junior at Clayton High, said she didn't think wearing the Confederate flag was a major issue before the ban was enacted. She said she has seen almost no signs of racial tension at school.

"I don't think that anyone was really offended whenever they wore it," she said.

Many of her classmates were upset by the ban at first, Moon said, but they soon decided not to fight the policy.

"It's not the biggest problem we have with the dress code," she said, rattling off a list of regulations about tank tops, skirts and shorts.

[M-cubed]

uniforms....is that your community standard?

[mykdsmom]

I thought this thread could use a visual aid : )

MKM

[sheltonmac]

Can the uniforms be Confederate gray?

[aomagrat]

Yes!

[F.J. Mitchell]

Sometimes it is the offended who need to be educated on the object of their offence, rather than pacifying their ignorance.

[F.J. Mitchell]

That is the second most beautiful flag on earth. Wonder if anyone here can run a search and discover who created this genuine work of art?

[LTCJ]

Sometimes it is the offended who need to be educated on the object of their offence, rather than pacifying their ignorance.

The logical flaw in your suggestion is that the school would have to first concern itself with actually educating.

[stand watie]

i'd bet you would NOT feel that way if the damnyankee/scalawag side had won this one!

free dixie,sw

[stand watie]

i'd happily design one for the school @ zero cost.

think cadet gray uniforms for the males & devided riding skirts for the females with jackets, similar to the ones the LA female volunteers wore in 1861/62.

FRee dixie,sw

[Rebelbase]

". Schools ought to just say "you're here to learn. If you want to make silly political statements do that on your own time and place.""

When is the last time you had a child in public school?

At least 50% of the teachers at my son's high school make liberal leftist statements each week. Its only through this site and my views that he knows truth, the other kids in the class all shake their heads in agreement, like the good sheep they are.

The Japanese teacher at my son's elementary school told the class that it was wrong for the US to have bombed Hiroshima.

[stand watie]

William Porcher Miles of Richmond, VA designed almost all the CSA flags (& several state flags), including this one in 1861.

FRee dixie,sw

[stand watie]

CSMC bump!

free dixie,sw

[TontoKowalski]

School officials said the flag was sometimes an incendiary symbol associated with white supremacism, and the students agreed to change clothes.

Don't Klan rallies prominantly feature American Flags and Christian Flags? Their centerpiece ceremony revolves around a cross.

I certainly don't think the Klan represents America, and I certainly don't think they are an accurate reflection of Christianity. Ditto for their revolting use of the Confederate flag to advance their despicable racism.

[stopsign]

On the slave ships the US flag was flown. Not the Confederate flag.

[F.J. Mitchell]

It is time his talents were recognized and celebrated.

[F.J. Mitchell]

that's a fact.

[Constitution Day]

Excellent, MKM.

Many thanks!

CD

[Illbay]

I don't care what "side" it is that "wins." I'm sick of the schools being made into special-interest playgrounds.

If you'll agree to allow gang colors, "La Raza," and all the other sick-freak sideshows in to the public schools along with your silly redneck flag-wavers, then at least you're consistent...CONSISTENTLY WRONG.

None of them belong there, period.

[Illbay]

Let's see, I'm posting this at 4:09 P.M. That means I last had a child in public school at 3:35 P.M.

And she'll be there tomorrow at 7:35 A.M.

Any other silly questions?

[mykdsmom]

Are you having fun up there? I'm SO jealous that you got to hear Cheney speak today. Have fun, be good, drink a beer for me : )

MKM