A New Jersey mother is heated because her daughter was allegedly suspended for wearing a shirt bearing the confederate flag. Jane West is so angry about the situation that she wants to remove her daughter, Torri Albrecht, from Melvin Kreps Middle School. The superintendent won't divulge exactly why Albrecht was suspended, but says it wasn't because of the shirt. West, however, doesn't buy it.
At the same time, West sees no problem with her daughter wearing the shirt, or the confederate flag in general. In a feeble attempt to defend her daughter, she says "The Indian kids wear their turbans. The Jewish kids wear their yarmulkes. That’s their birthright." She explained that Torri should have the same opportunity to express herself because she was "born in Virginia" and the flag is "her heritage."
West says that her family isn't racist, even mentioning that her oldest daughter is biracial. You'd think that would be a good reason for her to be more aware, but you can never give people credit for using common sense. There's nothing offensive about a yarmukle or a turban, but the confederate flag is still associated with racism, so you have to understand why others might be offended. Some people just don't get it.
[via Gothamist]
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IAmAmirHasan November 15th, 2011 at 01:50 PM
I live in Virginia too, we're all sick of this crap. The war is over. Your side lost. They always say it's about "heritage not hate", yeah right. The only thing I think of when I see that flag is hate. I'm proud to be from VA, but they can miss me with this shit.
d'eggs November 15th, 2011 at 04:49 PM
I'm from Texas. (Yeah, I know... Rick Perry is an idiot) But the Confederate flag is really a symbol of heritage down here. In my hometown of Austin, one high school's mascot is the "Rebels" and their school logo is the Confederate flag. No one has a problem with it at all. In my experience, t is usually white people who take issue with the Confederate flag. (Granted, my experience may differ from someone else's) Racism is usually the motive for taking offense with the flag. But this racism is historically not against white people. It's against black people. White people seem like they are offended by the flag to maintain political correctness, when really this is not necessary.
cMarie November 17th, 2011 at 07:11 PM
(The Indian kids wear their turbans. The Jewish kids wear their yarmulkes. That’s their birthright.") HOW DOES THE CONFEDERATE FLAG COMPARE TO A PEOPLES RELIGIOUS ARTICLES????? Apples and Oranges people. Exactly what does it mean? I do believe her rights are that she can wear it but please do not compare a hateful symbol with a religious. What other important "birthrights" are there