Idaho Student Says Teacher Tossed His Mexican Flag In The Trash

[Filly]

Not necessarily, but why are you limiting it to just flags? People show their heritage in various ways, hence the St. Christopher reference. This was the way he chose to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

The problem I see is the recent marches creating hostility toward this specific emblem, that this teacher acted upon. I don't think the student should sue either, but the teacher should be disciplined.

YM, review. The original post started by White Rain says nothing about anything, but a flag. It's about the boy and his flag. Not until Post #5 does anything come up about political issues or immigration issues. TxsVicki for some reason posted it was not the boys fault the teahcer didn't agree with the immigration policies or politics.We don't know that teacher's views on immigration. That's why it's been limited to flags as Karole mentioned. Then somewhere along the line the thread turned to how other immigrants in the past were treated in America. Specifically the Irish immigrants and that was about Religion. Catholic/Protestant. None of that came up when this kid was interviewed. It was all about his flag.

 

[Yeah me]

If he was dressing in the gym the teacher would have wrapped him in the flag..

Huh, how big do you think this flag is?

 

[Rino]

No, you are injecting into my posts. It all depends on whose story you believe. If you believe the teacher, the kid was being a dip&hit. If you believe the kid, the teacher stepped over the line and it's the teacher who makes this an anti-immigrant prejudice issue. The latter is obviously what I believe. If he was dressing in the gym, he wasn't disrupting anything and it was the teacher who had the problem with the flag.

Is your reason for believing the kid becuase you assume he would not lie about a bigot teacher?

 

[Rino]

Huh, how big do you think this flag is?

I was kidding because you change in a locker room not the gym -usually.

If it was a locker room, why not have the kid put it with the rest of his things? He said he could have it back.

 

[Yeah me]

YM, review. The original post started by White Rain says nothing about anything, but a flag. It's about the boy and his flag. Not until Post #5 does anything come up about political issues or immigration issues. TxsVicki for some reason posted it was not the boys fault the teahcer didn't agree with the immigration policies or politics.We don't know that teacher's views on immigration. That's why it's been limited to flags as Karole mentioned. Then somewhere along the line the thread turned to how other immigrants in the past were treated in America. Specifically the Irish immigrants and that was about Religion. Catholic/Protestant. None of that came up when this kid was interviewed. It was all about his flag.

I've read the thread....

The problem is, I don't believe the teacher. What we know *for sure* is there was a flag taken away and put in the trash. Now, knowing I don't believe the teacher, what other possible reason would he have for taking it away from the kid in the dressing room? The immigration issue is insinuated, imo. I don't buy the "it was for his protection" excuse. I don't buy the "trash was the only place to put it" excuse. I think this teacher bullied this kid.

 

[Filly]

I was kidding because you change in a locker room not the gym -usually.

If it was a locker room, why not have the kid put it with the rest of his things? He said he could have it back.

Your Philly kidding is greatly misunderstood, Rino. This thread has inspired me to get my freak flag out when I go home and wave it proudly. How about all these flags out with the themes on them of spring and next we'll change it to the beach related one. We have the gayborhood with all the beautiful flags out now. I especially like the little flags on the suction cups for the car windows. Watch the ACLU get this kid a bajillion dollars. I'm going to make friends with him. Kidding.

 

[CyberLaw]

I know you come from the land of milk and honey, but you guys have JUST AS MANY PROBLEMS as America does, and some worse.

Pardon me, you are comparing Canada and the USA as having the same problems. Having just as many problems and some worse. Can you please be more specific.

So please, can you tell me what worse problems we have.........we may not be perfect and we do have problems(what country does not), but to compare the USA and Canada as having just as many problems is not reflected in reality.

WE take Human rights and fairness and non discrimination very seriously.

We pride ourselves on being Canadian, but not to the exclusion of any other member of society. It does not matter what ethnic background the member of society is from. Human Rights are Human rights.

You really cannot compare Canada and the USA when it comes to diversity. We don't expect people who come to Canada to forget their heritage and culture. We celebrate it and encourage it.

There is a concerted effort to ensure that New Canadians can fully participate in society and contribute to society. Have the same opportunities as "Canadian born white people".

As I see it, this whole case and thread is just a simple clear cut case of discrimination. Especially when the "ethnic" student body makes up 33% and the "white" students make up 66%. So whom do you think has a problem with whom.

This student was degraded, demeaned, humiliated, just because he brought the flag of his culture and heritage to school to celebrate with other students.

Why would the other students have a problem with this, why would the teacher have a problem with this. Oh I forgot, the student is from Mexico and thought he had the same rights as white students, that seems to be the problem.

How about taking a USA flag to a school in Canada to celebrate a US holiday only to be treated the way this student was.

Guess what, the students probably would want to participate, not humiliate. They would ask questions and a lesson would probably be developed as a learning experience, not a lesson in discrimination and how to treat people differently based on their culture and heritage.

You see I am the offspring of immigrants: My grandparents came from Scotland and England. Mother is from France and Father is Italian. Hubby is from California. The only true Americans and Canadians are native Indians. Everyone else is the product of immigration.

 

[RainbowsAndGumdrops]

Can someone start a poll? Please.

I tried to start a new thread, but didn't know how to make it be a poll. I want to know who believes what story.

Do you believe:
The student
The teacher
Part of both of their stories
Neither of them
I don't have enough information to decide.

I think this has become a heated conversation and these poll results will sum up people's opinions.

I personally believe some of both stories. I believe the teacher took the flag to prevent problems. I also believe the kid when he says the teacher was a smart mouth. I do not believe the teacher put the flag in the trash because there was nowhere else to put it (though this could be possible). I don't necessarily believe the kid was simply in the dressing room and had the flag confiscated. I think he probably had waved it around at some point. So for me, I believe part of both stories.

 

[Yeah me]

Is your reason for believing the kid becuase you assume he would not lie about a bigot teacher?

I believe the kid, because I believe the bigot teacher had a bigger reason to lie to save his @ss. The teacher's version doesn't add up, imo.

 

[RainbowsAndGumdrops]

I know you come from the land of milk and honey, but you guys have JUST AS MANY PROBLEMS as America does, and some worse.

Pardon me, you are comparing Canada and the USA as having the same problems. Having just as many problems and some worse. Can you please be more specific.

So please, can you tell me what worse problems we have.........we may not be perfect and we do have problems(what country does not), but to compare the USA and Canada as having just as many problems is not reflected in reality.

WE take Human rights and fairness and non discrimination very seriously.

We pride ourselves on being Canadian, but not to the exclusion of any other member of society. It does not matter what ethnic background the member of society is from. Human Rights are Human rights.

You really cannot compare Canada and the USA when it comes to diversity. We don't expect people who come to Canada to forget their heritage and culture. We celebrate it and encourage it.

There is a concerted effort to ensure that New Canadians can fully participate in society and contribute to society. Have the same opportunities as "Canadian born white people".

As I see it, this whole case and thread is just a simple clear cut case of discrimination. Especially when the "ethnic" student body makes up 33% and the "white" students make up 66%. So whom do you think has a problem with whom.

This student was degraded, demeaned, humiliated, just because he brought the flag of his culture and heritage to school to celebrate with other students.

Why would the other students have a problem with this, why would the teacher have a problem with this. Oh I forgot, the student is from Mexico and thought he had the same rights as white students, that seems to be the problem.

How about taking a USA flag to a school in Canada to celebrate a US holiday only to be treated the way this student was.

Guess what, the students probably would want to participate, not humiliate. They would ask questions and a lesson would probably be developed as a learning experience, not a lesson in discrimination and how to treat people differently based on their culture and heritage.

You see I am the offspring of immigrants: My grandparents came from Scotland and England. Mother is from France and Father is Italian. Hubby is from California. The only true Americans and Canadians are native Indians. Everyone else is the product of immigration.

Nicely said.

 

[Rino]

I believe the kid, because I believe the bigot teacher had a bigger reason to lie to save his @ss. The teacher's version doesn't add up, imo.

Then why tell him the kid he could have the flag back and in fact he did get it back?

 

[Filly]

I've read the thread....

The problem is, I don't believe the teacher. What we know *for sure* is there was a flag taken away and put in the trash. Now, knowing I don't believe the teacher, what other possible reason would he have for taking it away from the kid in the dressing room? The immigration issue is insinuated, imo. I don't buy the "it was for his protection" excuse. I don't buy the "trash was the only place to put it" excuse. I think this teacher bullied this kid.

That's possible. It's also possible the man didn't want a fight to break out.One teacher and X amount of kids. Maybe the kid is a smart alec and was trying incite something. maybe not. We don't know. Both the teacher and the kid said the flag went in the trash. I don't think the teacher should have put it in the trash. I also don't think my Nun in high school should have put my lab partner's Babakaneesh charm in the trash either. Again, that's another thread but if that were today she'd have hooked up with the ACLU and i'd have got a cut of her loot. My apologies for thinking you needed to review the thread. We'll all have to agree to disagree I guess.

 

[Yeah me]

Then why tell him the kid he could have the flag back and in fact he did get it back?

Because it had to be dug out of the garbage! That's why! To me, placing it in the garbage made a huge statement to this situation. If this teacher for one second respected this student, it would have been on his desk instead. Gym teachers have desks and offices within the gym for paperwork and grades.

 

[Jeana (DP)]

I know you come from the land of milk and honey, but you guys have JUST AS MANY PROBLEMS as America does, and some worse.

Pardon me, you are comparing Canada and the USA as having the same problems. Having just as many problems and some worse. Can you please be more specific.

So please, can you tell me what worse problems we have.........we may not be perfect and we do have problems(what country does not), but to compare the USA and Canada as having just as many problems is not reflected in reality.

WE take Human rights and fairness and non discrimination very seriously.

We pride ourselves on being Canadian, but not to the exclusion of any other member of society. It does not matter what ethnic background the member of society is from. Human Rights are Human rights.

You really cannot compare Canada and the USA when it comes to diversity. We don't expect people who come to Canada to forget their heritage and culture. We celebrate it and encourage it.

I think you're absolutely right CyberLaw. In fact, I have no idea why 12 million Mexicans would even want to be HERE when they could come THERE. How about we start a campaign to get them all up there with you? You'd have no problem with 12 million illegals, would you?

 

[Yeah me]

That's possible. It's also possible the man didn't want a fight to break out.One teacher and X amount of kids. Maybe the kid is a smart alec and was trying incite something. maybe not. We don't know. Both the teacher and the kid said the flag went in the trash. I don't think the teacher should have put it in the trash. I also don't think my Nun in high school should have put my lab partner's Babakaneesh charm in the trash either. Again, that's another thread but if that were today she'd have hooked up with the ACLU and i'd have got a cut of her loot. My apologies for thinking you needed to review the thread. We'll all have to agree to disagree I guess.

Thanks, and agreed! :blowkiss:

 

[CyberLaw]

I would vote to believe the kid. His story is detailed, makes sense, is coherent, detailed, has a good flow and not surprising

Also he is in the minority and not welcomed at this school. He is the victim of the "anti" Mexican views of a lot of people.

Reminds me of the "noose" incidents in the US and the students involved. That is the US and Them mentality. The "we are better" then them attitude. They don't belong in our country mentality. There are more of us then them.

The USA has no idea how offensive these type of incidents are in the eyes of the international world. How the USA is viewed in the eyes of "countries" that value Human rights.

 

[Yeah me]

I would vote to believe the kid. His story is detailed, makes sense, is coherent, detailed, has a good flow and not surprising

Also he is in the minority and not welcomed at this school. He is the victim of the "anti" Mexican views of a lot of people.

Reminds me of the "noose" incidents in the US and the students involved. That is the US and Them mentality. The "we are better" then them attitude. They don't belong in our country mentality. There are more of us then them.

The USA has no idea how offensive these type of incidents are in the eyes of the international world. How the USA is viewed in the eyes of "countries" that value Human rights.

Most are tolerable of it. It's the few that make the news that give us a bad name.

 

[philamena]

I would vote to believe the kid. His story is detailed, makes sense, is coherent, detailed, has a good flow and not surprising

Also he is in the minority and not welcomed at this school. He is the victim of the "anti" Mexican views of a lot of people.

Reminds me of the "noose" incidents in the US and the students involved. That is the US and Them mentality. The "we are better" then them attitude. They don't belong in our country mentality. There are more of us then them.

The USA has no idea how offensive these type of incidents are in the eyes of the international world. How the USA is viewed in the eyes of "countries" that value Human rights.

:clap: Good post CL.

 

[Filly]

Here's a little more of the "he said, he said". Lots more information than the original article and mind you this is the media. Take it at face value. The Poll sounds good. I was going to reply to RainbowsAndGumdrops "No, no we can't start a poll by anyone named RainbowAndGumdrops". Just joking. O.K. truth be told I was going to say "No, go start it in Canada". I know this is a serious issue, but a little humor sometimes goes a long way.http://www.fortmilltimes.com/124/story/156256.html

 

[Jeana (DP)]

I would vote to believe the kid. His story is detailed, makes sense, is coherent, detailed, has a good flow and not surprising

Also he is in the minority and not welcomed at this school. He is the victim of the "anti" Mexican views of a lot of people.

Reminds me of the "noose" incidents in the US and the students involved. That is the US and Them mentality. The "we are better" then them attitude. They don't belong in our country mentality. There are more of us then them.

The USA has no idea how offensive these type of incidents are in the eyes of the international world. How the USA is viewed in the eyes of "countries" that value Human rights.

I know that you read that 1/3 of the school is MEXICAN. How in God's name can you say that they are not welcomed at the school???? By the way, I found something out about Canada's "Mexican acceptance":

The recent influx of Mexicans into Canada may pose a problem for Toronto's already overcrowded shelter system. The city, says the mayor, just doesn't have the capacity to house any more refugee claimants.

"We've seen an increase in refugee claimants. [They] almost tripled between July and September but we're still under 100 a month. [It] is still challenging our capacity to provide shelter," Mayor David Miller said on Thursday.

Over the past few weeks, more than 300 Mexicans have arrived in Windsor claiming to be refugees. Most have come from the United States where the Immigration and Naturalization Service appears to be in the midst of a crackdown on illegal immigrants.

Many Mexicans in Florida have paid to have refugee applications filled out and have been arriving in Canada seeking refugee status. The Canadian government has issued a warning telling prospective claimants that Canada does not charge a fee for refugee forms — and that having the forms will not entitle claimants to any special treatment.

But the would-be refugees keep coming. Some predict thousands more are on the way.

Right now the largest group is in Windsor, Ont., but it's unlikely they'll stay there and most people who work with refugees say they'll probably head to Toronto.

Miller said Toronto's family shelter system is almost full. He said Canadian cities can't afford to support refugees, that it should be a federal responsibility.

"We don't have capacity, though, to take too many more newcomers. Our shelter system is close to capacity," said Miller. "We're happy to do our part but if the numbers become large financially, we won't be able to.


Now this guy is just getting a freaking GLIMPSE of what American has had to deal with. I say they keep on coming until you don't even know if you'll be able to get medical treatment because the hospitals may have to close due to insufficient funds.