Schools

Should Students Be Allowed to Wear a Confederate Flag to School?

Some view the flag as a symbol of southern heritage, while others see it as racist.

A mother said her daughter received a one-day suspension for wearing a confederate flag sweatshirt to Kreps Middle School, according to a report in The Trenton Times

School officials would not comment on this student’s case Monday.

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey said they are not taking position on the specific case, but said students have the right to express themselves.

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“The Constitution protects the rights of students to express themselves. Students cannot be disciplined just for wearing their ideas on their shirt,” said Katie Wang, spokeswoman for ACLU of New Jersey. 

The issue is one that has surfaced elsewhere around the U.S. and even made its way into the federal courts.

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Earlier this year, a federal court upheld a Tennessee school's rule barring students from wearing or displaying Confederate flags in school. 

There's a thorough analysis of how courts have handled the issue, here.

But how far can school officials go? In Virginia, a school bus driver has been told he will lose his job unless he loses the Confederate flag decal on his pickup truck.

And University of Virginia law school students got into some trouble when a photo appeared of a party with a Confederate flag-themed beer pong table.

What do you think? Should the display of the Confederate flag be barred in East Windsor schools? Tell us in the comments. 


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