Pupil deserves praise for standing against rebel flag
Published February 19, 2004
Re: Teen created Confederate flag flap where none existed, letter by Paul Miller, Feb. 15.
A 17-year-old moves into Tarpon Springs and immediately realizes that she can take action on a simmering issue that has been beaten around the bush in the county school system for years.
Finally, someone has risen up with enough courage to act upon the issue, bringing it to the forefront so it can be dealt with, to end the many years of silent racial badgering.
For you antiquated members of society who don't support the freedoms of speech and petition, here is a brief lesson in reality.
I am white. I was born and raised in Florida all my life. The problem we are confronting today is the limited number of people who actually know what the Confederate flag stands for. The Confederacy represents so much more than slavery, as it stood for issues of states' rights and stronger local government. It's amazing how conveniently people forget these things when racism is on the brain.
For those students who find it necessary to wear their Confederate flag apparel, I can almost guarantee you that not one of them can explain to you its full meaning.
It sickens me to see that after the young lady brought this issue to the forefront that even more students found it necessary to sport these garments, for they are the ones who make it a race issue.
They are the ones who are too ignorant to see that they are inflicting emotional pain on others. Surely, you would not want to see an Iraqi flag or a Nazi flag displayed in your face every five minutes and you have no choice but to tolerate it.
I am gleeful to see that young Americans are finally standing up for themselves. This young woman deserves more respect and credit than any of us, for she took the nonviolent and civilized approach by starting a petition, which is a right given to all students. She brought publicity to an issue that needed resolution, not to herself, for she is not the selfish type. She leaves that distinction to those who see fit to sport hatred-laden material in a public place of education.
Confederate flag shorts are enough to disconcert her and her peers at Tarpon Springs High and at high schools across the county. Therefore, it only seems rational to me that these shirts should be banned, if not for the fact that they inflict pain, then because those wearing them do so to further that pain.
I will not cave in to her because she is a "child" and she is "black," as the letter writer charges. I see no color. I will rise to stand by Krista Abram's side and fight with her to relieve the students of Pinellas County from the repeated demeaning punches that this apparel inflicts. I will support the ban of the Confederate flag in school dress codes, because I want her to be able to get an education of the same quality and in the same environment as everyone else in this country.
I am disgusted that seemingly respectable members of adult society have not the decency to listen to a teenager's point of view. Maybe I, too, should be ignored or suspended, for I am only 16.
-- Kyle McLaughlin, Clearwater
Suspending student sends wrong message
Re: Teen created Confederate flag flap where none existed, letter, Feb. 15.
A reader disparages a 17-year-old for her activism regarding the display of the Confederate flag in and around her school. He suggests that she be "taught a lesson" and dealt with in harsh ways.
The world has suffered horrible results from the failure of citizens to speak up when inhumane attitudes were considered benign and annoying.
The efforts of this youngster should be applauded. Suspension from school is an inappropriate response, indeed.
The representation of the Confederate flag as a "battle" flag and symbol of a proud heritage is in fact a denial of what it meant historically and continues to mean today to many folks. Denial will not clean up the stain on the flag.
-- Doug Nessle, Dunedin
People are free to protest flag, others to display it
Re: Rebel symbol may be expelled, story, Feb. 7.
I believe every creature on earth has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I believe they have the right to express themselves as long as that expression does not perpetuate hatred that might harm another living creature.
I think that Tarpon Springs High School student Krista Abram had the right to seek a ban on the Confederate flag, just as those who displayed it had the right to do as they did. It is unfortunate that some people have chosen this flag as a symbol of hatred and prejudice, which shows their ignorance about what it really stands for.
When I was growing up in my grandmother's house, she had a huge, woolen, red and gray Confederate flag displayed on the living room wall. It had been her grandfather Gen. E. Kirby Smith's flag. She said it was the flag of the South, where her family had come from (Sumter County, Va.), and she always spoke of the South as if it were a country, the same as Italy, Spain and England.
It was her belief that her grandfather had fought for the liberty of his country from the United States, which the South did not want to become a part of because it knew the United States was after the rich cotton and tobacco exports between the Southern states and Europe. In the beginning of the war, that was what it was all about - economics, not a very popular campaign for the Northern population - so the politicians changed it to slavery.
If a flag is to be banned for slavery and ignorance, then we must ban the flag of our own beloved country because the North had slaves as well. Look up the history of Mary Todd Lincoln.
I don't think the school should have the right to expel Krista, and I don't think that School Board member Mary Brown should have the right or the power to propose a districtwide ban on displaying the Confederate flag.
-- Valice Shaw, Palm Harbor
Confederate flag is a shameful symbol
I am white and was born and raised in the land of Lincoln - Springfield, Ill.
I have very strong feelings concerning the Confederate flag. I feel it is a symbol of a shameful condition that occurred in this country and should be relegated to historical museums, never to be used in this present-day world as a symbol representing any current institution, especially one of education. I am shocked to know that supposedly educated people would ever have allowed this to happen.
I am sure Tarpon Springs High can find a much better and more appropriate symbol for its school.
-- Darlene Harwood, Clearwater
Campus police officer apparently followed policy
Re: Campus police at the root of the problem, letter, Feb. 2.
I echo the letter writer's statement, "Thank goodness little Randall Davis is safe!" However, what she may not understand is that campus police have to comply with limitations outlined by established law-enforcement guidelines.
Campus police officers have the authority to enforce all the traffic laws of the state when such violations occur "on or about" any property or facilities that are under the guidance, supervision, regulation or control of the district School Board.
Campus police Officer Mike Kazouris responded to the situation with respect to his job description. He demonstrated professionalism and, most of all, concern for the safety of Randall.
Officer Kazouris was not reprimanded for the way he handled the situation (which was not mentioned in the newspaper article). Why? It appears he was following policy and procedure.
-- Carol Zaffiri, Dunedin
Diversity Week needed wider public support
Re: Recent Diversity Week in Dunedin.
I do not know the population of Dunedin but I feel that a town of this size could show more support. The committee that did all the planning, the groups that performed so well and the vendors all deserve more. Granted, it was a bit chilly that Monday, but next year let us fill Pioneer Park with people of all ages, races and creeds.
-- Jean Bergesen, Dunedin
Schools designs should embrace energy efficiency
Why can't they build the schools up instead of out? Hospitals, motels, office buildings all build up. No more angled roofs, no more cathedral ceilings, no more expensive overhangs. It would save on heat and air-conditioning.
-- J.M. Yauslin, Palm Harbor
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