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Teacher Deems American Flag ‘Offensive’
The battle over the American flag has reached a middle school art class in California’s Santa Rita School District where a student was told not to draw Old Glory because it was “offensive,” but another student — in the same class – was praised for drawing a picture of President Obama.
Tracy Hathaway, of Salinas, CA, told FOX News Radio her 13-year-old daughter was ordered to stop drawing the American flag by an art teacher at Gavilan View Middle School.
“She had drawn the flag and was sketching the letters, ‘God bless America,’ when the teacher confronted her,” Hathaway told FOX. “She said, ‘You can’t draw that – that’s offensive.’”
Even more striking, another student in the same art class drew a picture of President Obama and was praised by the teacher.
“The picture of Barack Obama was in red, white and blue hues,” Hathaway said. “The teacher said it was great. But when it comes to the flag – all of a sudden it was offensive?”
Hathaway said she took her concerns to the principal – and he was “floored” and apologized for what happened. He arranged a meeting with the Hathaways and the teacher.
“My husband point-blank asked her what she found offensive about the picture – the American flag or the words, ‘God Bless America,’” she said. “The teacher didn’t say a word.”
Hathaway said she was especially concerned that a picture of President Obama was praised yet a picture of the American flag was deemed offensive.
“That showed where she stood in the political spectrum,” she said “But this was not a political class. This was not a religious class. This was an art class. “
“My daughter wasn’t trying to break any rules and she wasn’t trying to create a scene,” she said. “She was just expressing her view and saying this is America and I want God to bless it.”
Mike Brusa, the superintendent of schools, told FOX in a written statement that he had contacted the principal and that the issue “was taken care of to their (the parent’s) satisfaction.”
“The school administration and the parents did not view this as significant enough to bring it to the superintendent’s office,” he wrote.
However, Hathaway said her daughter has yet to receive an apology – and in fact – the teacher told the girl that she should not have gotten her parents involved in the matter.
“My daughter felt like her rights were being trampled on – she was doing what she thought was right.” she said. “It’s disturbing. It really is disturbing. When I was in junior high we didn’t have a lot of the problems they are having now. We were allowed to speak our mind. It’s absolutely devastating for me. Last time I looked, this is America. This is still a free country.”
Todd Starnes is a FOX News Radio reporter and best-selling author.
NOTE: Here is the full response from Superintendent Brusa:
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.
Timothy Rea
May 12, 2010 at 7:13 pm
Tolerance is a one way street.
Timothy Rea
May 12, 2010 at 7:28 pm
I hope that this teacher comes under Sharia law someday.
JUST ANOTHER LIBERAL
May 12, 2010 at 8:09 pm
How this Obama's fault? There isn't even a remote connection to The President.
First, I would wager that the kid is lying about exactly what was said, the teacher probably said that it Could be offensive to write slogans on the flag. Not only does it go back to separation of church and state, but it is considered to be defacing the flag to display it in any altered state. Yes, Buba, your wrap me in the flag shirt breaks the rules as does that sun screen that covers the back window of you pick-up. Look it up (you all do know how to google even if Fox doesn't).
Now, move on to important issues…..i.e. our planet being RAPED BY OIL AND COAL CORPORATIONS!
JUST ANOTHER LIBERAL
May 12, 2010 at 8:31 pm
"FOX NEWS" IS AN OXYMORON
JUST ANOTHER LIBERAL
May 12, 2010 at 8:33 pm
THAT'S BECAUSE THE WORD "LIBERAL" IS PART OF MY ID, ISN'T IT.
JUST ANOTHER LIBERAL
May 12, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Has anybody else noticed that when the self proclaimed "patriots" and "real Americans" get cornered
most of them (at least on any FOX boards) resort to name calling?
Terri
May 12, 2010 at 9:49 pm
Thank you William for the link. If it was a misunderstanding like the article leads you to believe, then a whole lot of people have been upset for no reason.
dragon6actual
May 12, 2010 at 10:57 pm
For all who find Old Glory "offensive" – leave, get out now, move on. The Stars and Stripes isn't going away as long as I have a pulse… and I am not alone.
Semper Fidelis.
John Gutierrez
May 13, 2010 at 3:10 am
I am the principal of Gavilan View Middle School in Salinas, California. I thought everyone should know that the art teacher in question has been a member of Operation Yellow Ribbon since 2003. If you are not familiar with this organization, it sends thousands of care packages to our servicemen and women proudly serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. The art teacher's students' work, including beautiful American flags, are regularly included in the care packages. Moreover, this same art teacher last year arranged for a flag exchange with a marine unit stationed in Iraq. We have a picture of three proud marines holding our flag on the grounds of their military base in Iraq. We proudly display the flag sent to us by the marines. I thought I would shed some factual information with anyone interested. Thank you.
Ed Tazelaar
May 13, 2010 at 3:17 am
Just a thought. Have the young girl put her picture of the flag on eBay and auction it off to the highest bidder along with info on this travesty. Use the money from eBay to file a law suit against the school or the teacher involved. Or use the money from eBay to get this wonderful child out of that horrendous school and into a private school, or for a future college fund. Some good must come from this example of an anti-American act. Sean Hannity said he would bid on it, so will I. We must not let this pro-american girl down. Stand up for the USA. God bless you and God Bless America. Ed Tazelaar, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526
sick and tired of gv
May 14, 2010 at 8:50 pm
The teacher is white! my son had problems with her as well last year she had stated his drawing was "not good " enough, in a personlal phone call to me needless to say he was removed from the class the next day. It's time Gavilan View stand up and take accountability of the poor instructors and staff that would rather be anywhere else than teaching these impressionable kids.
Joan H. Pruiksma
May 15, 2010 at 1:34 pm
This 'teacher' should be fired immediately and should not be teaching students anywhere. What
right did she have to impose her political philosophy on these young people….It is outrageous.
I am glad the parents got 'involved'……any parent worth their salt would be involved at the hightest
level.
How much farther is this nonesense going to go? Where will it end.? I hate to imagine.
Joan Pruiksma
Warrenton, Va.
Kathie
May 16, 2010 at 12:04 pm
I would really like to know how to get hold of the school and the district. I don’t know why the teacher hasn’t been fired over this travesty! It is completely unbelievable what’s going on in this country. The teacher must be either black or a communist. What the hell is wrong with her and what is wrong with the people writing comments on here supporting her! They, I am sure, are black as every black in this country idolizes Obama no matter how stupid, and unqualified he is!
Unbelievable!!!!
Move from this country if you don’t like her flag.
Sonny Krause Sr.
May 19, 2010 at 8:21 pm
That teaher should have been fired on the spot and sent out of our country. GOD Bless America and those that don't ship them out.
Diane
July 6, 2010 at 11:53 am
Just saw this. I taught at this middle school for 11 years. The principal, Mr. Guttierez, is a fine man and a fine principal.
GWW
July 16, 2010 at 4:57 am
This is not a "small event". This teacher should be immediately fired. There should be no place and no tolerance in our public educational system for any teacher spouting such hate filled political garbage. This would equally apply to a teacher with political views on the other end of the spectrum (though that teacher surely WOULD be fired.)
warren
January 11, 2013 at 12:18 am
Tell you what, as a southerner I really never understood the civil war and the inability for people to come to some understandable decision that could have prevented hundreds of thousands of people from being killed, BUT NOW, as the days pass and i see this, as I was in a chat yesterday and one person's little slogan on their name was "MORE LIBERAL EVERY DAY" my anger is almost uncontrollable towards these people. Go ahead, take my gun but make sure you take my baseball bat too because I'll beat your gd head in I'm so sick and tired of you sorry ass worthless gd people.
staver
May 11, 2010 at 7:00 pm
I agree wholeheartedly, I also think it's sad that people use this to attack our president. I used to be republican, and probably still would be if I could have voted in any of my local elections. However, the majority of the republican party seems to have lost their minds. At least the vocal ones. I voted for Obama, and I still find what this teacher did totally unacceptable. I love the flag. I don't demand everyone else do, but I draw the line at sayng it's offensive. Still, stupid teachers fault, not Obama's