Provocative patriotism piques public school

How's that for alliteration? It's the last lighthearted remark I'll make for the rest of this 'blog entry since the story that inspires it is anything but funny.

Out of California, the state whose public education efforts make my toddler look like Harvard material, comes the latest advocacy for everyone except those who are A.) Legally residing in America as the result of birth, naturalization, or appropriate visas and/or B.) Christian.

The story from reporter George Kirayama of the NBC Bay Area affiliate tells about a group of high school students who were suspended for wearing American flag shirts yesterday on Cinco de Mayo.

For anyone who cares, Cinco de Mayo -- or Fifth of May -- is a holiday celebrated by Mexicans living in America to commemorate the victory of Mexico over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. The Mexican soldiers numbered 4,000, the French 8,000. The defeated French lost their chance to resupply American Confederate forces during the Civil War. Cinco de Mayo is actually a regional holiday in Mexico, so why Mexicans living in America -- regardless of where they hail from in Mexico -- give a damn is beyond me.

Be that as it may, the students at Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill, CA were tackled by their principal for sporting American flags. According to the kids, the principal told them the U.S. gear would have been fine to wear on any other day, "just not today." The boys said school officials called their clothing "incendiary."

Part of the story is quoted below verbatim:

"They said if we tried to go back to class with our shirts not taken off, they said it was defiance and we would get suspended," Dominic Maciel, Galli's friend, said.

The boys really had no choice, and went home to avoid suspension. They say they're angry they were not allowed to express their American pride. Their parents are just as upset, calling what happened to their children, "total nonsense."

"I think it's absolutely ridiculous," Julie Fagerstrom, Maciel's mom, said. "All they were doing was displaying their patriotic nature. They're expressing their individuality."

But to many Mexican-American students at Live Oak, this was a big deal. They say they were offended by the five boys and others for wearing American colors on a Mexican holiday.

"I think they should apologize cause it is a Mexican Heritage Day," Annicia Nunez, a Live Oak High student, said. "We don't deserve to be get disrespected like that. We wouldn't do that on Fourth of July."

As for an apology, the boys and their families say, 'fat chance.'

The day the American flag becomes provocative has come, folks. And if this doesn't bother you then, please, turn in your coveted U.S. passport and don't let the door at the border hit you in the butt on the way out.

Vaya con Dios!