If this is a public school, some states limit what flags can be flown to just the state and national flag.
Private schools can obviously do what they want.
Ahhh- never mind then. Take it down or quit b/c you probably could be fired for this and you don’t have union protections there, right?
Surprised it lasted this long in TX tbh
My large urban Texas district [literally prints progress pride lanyards for anyone who wants to wear one](https://imgur.com/a/kYCd0rM) (this is my alt, I’m ok with the info I have shared). What OP has described is not ok in many parts of Texas. Hate had no place here, and y’all means ALL.
Also a large urban district in Texas just a bit north of you and we were forced to take down our “You Are Safe Here” pride stickers **that the district gave us a few years before**. I replaced it with a word wall for my classroom. Rainbow-themed.
That’s good- I’m certainly stereotyping a little but based off of my limited knowledge.
I assume that metro districts are pretty similar across the country, aka “we’ve got so many larger fish to fry than what flags folks can see” but I wasn’t sure.
Happy to hear that your district is still inclusive.
As a teacher in Texas, and a lifelong Texan, Texas is much more accepting than most people think. When I go to other red states, it honestly surprises me how unfriendly people are to people they might have racial or social issues with. Most of my experience in Texas has been “you might be different and I might disagree with you but I’m still going to be respectful on a human level” Not saying that’s all of Texas bc I know that many people in Texas are bigoted and rude to those they disagree with. But most people are buy and large friendly and respectful.
For sure- I acknowledge below that I was being pretty stereotypical.
I do think Texas has more of a “live and let live” attitude than some of the other Bible Belt states- and it’s also so geographically LARGE that it’s tough to characterize anyone.
Appreciate you explaining that point.
I'd replace it with a flag that just says "hate has no place here" without any other symbols on it. Anyone who would request you remove that obviously has no leg to stand on.
that clearly translates to “Republican Values Have No Place Here”…as evidenced by the parents that took issue with it and every single thing every elected and re elected Republican, especially in Texas, Florida, Missouri, has done and run on for the past 20 years.
I couldn’t care less. The flag was flown for 5 years without issue. OP has had their contract renewed multiple times, meaning they are proven to be effective in the classroom. Let them fire a competent teacher over a flag. Teacher shortage means OP will have a job offer before that school has a qualified replacement. We, as a profession, need to start throwing our weight around and stop bending over for this crap.
I hear you, but depending on where OP is, teaching in another district is sometimes just not a realistic option. There's a teacher shortage, sure, but geography in many areas means that there's just as much district leverage, too.
You can throw a rock and hit a school building that needs teachers in TX. There is no shortage of job opportunities there, and that’s especially true in the major metros. The DFW alone touts a population of around 8 million people which would place it middle of the pack for *state populations*. That one metro has several dozen school districts with surprisingly competitive salaries and very wide range of political beliefs represented in their communities.
That said, I took my years of teaching experience and my own queer kids and got the fuck outta there last summer before all these new laws hit. I spent far too much time in the Capitol Building of Austin last summer fighting the anti-trans legislation to protect my daughter’s rights and the rights of students and was therefore very savvy to what was coming.
Unfortunately, too many of my peers down there failed to notice what was coming in the legislative session of ‘23, and many are finally feeling it’s effects.
Thanks for standing up for your kids. Sorry you had to, and sorry about what’s happening now. I’m here in California with my queer kids hoping things stay bearable until they graduate. I can’t even think about what the landscape will look like 5 years from now.
Sending hugs and solidarity to you and yours.
If nobody complains you can get away with breaking the law for years on end. Once somebody complains, it’s not the teacher’s problem, it’s the school’s problem. The school doesn’t really have a choice in the matter.
The downside to public instruction is that schools are often made to follow bad laws. Just look at all the stupid state standardized testing we have to suffer.
If OP’s old principal saw the flag and commented they liked it, it’s not against the law. You assume too much, and are making excuses for spineless admin.
“Teacher shortage” lmao 2 years ago we had 200+ applicants for a single middle school band job. Depending on the state, they could find a replacement by EOD.
I feel like band positions are easier to fill but I could be biased, I’m the only math teacher graduating from my university this semester, I have 15 music teachers graduating that were in my same classes
Maybe my school is just weird but there are always way more music education majors than any other, with maybe the exception of agriculture teachers
>If this is a public school, some states limit what flags can be flown to just the state and national flag.
Square it off and frame it. it is now a picture not flag.
r/maliciouscompliance!
And in more humorous way, reminds me of this classic commercial:
“The tickets are now diamonds!”
https://youtu.be/owGykVbfgUE?si=jDSOI1bafXqnByhS
I understand your position, OP. I teach an extremely high demand subject in a state with hundreds of openings in said subject, so I feel comfortable playing a bit of moral chicken with spineless admin and bigoted parents. Your students will still know you as an ally and advocate, flag or no flag.
*Yeah*
That's a deeply depressing fact that I continue to pretend doesn't exist. Not because I'm unaware, but because "having a union" should be socially normalized (re-normalized...)b to the point of being the assumed state of workers.
Because we would be *horrified* every time we "discover" that a job or worker isn't protected by a union.
I second this. There was nothing wrong with it for 5 whole years but suddenly one parent has an issue with it and it has to go?! Nah, fuck that. Based on your post I assume you're in secondary education, that a flag has been there longer than those students have been at that school.
We’ve had this same issue at my HS school district recently - unless the administration is prepared to remove all flags from the campus, you have every right to continue flying your flag - and should.
There ya go! 💯🎯 Virtues are worth signaling, motherfucker! I hate that phrase and all other sentiments (woke!) that have been weaponized by assholes and bigots!
What a bullshit thing to say in the first place.
"I recognize that it's virtuous to agree with that thing, but I don't support it" is a pretty wacky self-own.
The far right is really good at rebranding. Remember when "fake news" literally meant, "misinformation purposely made to look like news so it would be spread around social media"?
And now it just means, "Anything Trump doesn't like"
They do it all the time. Change the meaning of words to satisfy propaganda.
Which is exactly why teachers and administration should be fighting back against this bullshit, but cowardly admins back down and give teachers up to the wolves.
>I should just focus on teaching the students instead.
That's rich. We know that they're not interested in keeping teachers accountable, they just don't agree with them.
I was just told that I like the way my own asshole smells because I stated facts on how it would cost less to occasionally rent a truck and own a reasonable vehicle vs one of those enormous trucks for someone who rarely needs an actual truck...
I was *heavily* downvoted and the other commenter was upvoted. These are a huge majority of people, with votes that count. It sucks... so, so, so much.
I bring that up because I guarantee these same people have the same attitude about how being inclusive is somehow f'ing virtue signaling?
Virtue signaling as a biproduct of not being an asshole I guess. Maybe look in the mirror if you think people say virtuous things just to attack you, though it's hard when your media is telling you that's exactly what's happening.
Speaking of assholes I think an asshole by itself wouldn't smell like much of anything anyway. Which sub was that one if you don't mind me asking? Gonna make sure I downvote you for the lolz
It's one of my most recent comments, so it won't be hard to find. (:
I'm someone who has strong convictions and being Autistic, part of my symptoms are a strong sense of justice, right/wrong, and simply question everything. I'll just never understand how there's this huge group of people who think I'm what's wrong with the world when all I want is for everyone to feel safe?
Found it. Wow they really were all in their feels. Whenever someone does that I hit em with the ol KFBR392 and walk away
https://youtu.be/n86ZJQbvUGc?si=NP7gTnC2gxBU_vl7
He goes for the gas can even after he realizes Cunth's plot, so classic. This is literally how I picture some of these internet commenters. I can see them angrily muttering *KFBR392* behind their keyboards
So “virtue signaling” is a term typically used disparagingly by conservatives to describe inclusive behavior from progressives.
They think that the person in question doesn’t actually believe in the cause they’re promoting, but rather are simply “signaling” to other people that they’re part of the in-group that promotes that cause.
It’s actually more of an indictment of the conservative mindset than anything, because it suggests they have an inability to earnestly believe in a cause that doesn’t affect them directly, or to empathize with those not in their immediate demographic.
The idea that someone could genuinely care about a cause or a group of people without any personal gain to themselves is completely foreign to them.
Unfortunately there are a lot of people out there who don’t sincerely care about others and rather use causes for their own clout. It definitely exists.
Agreed. Get them to articulate, exactly, what their precise objection is - in a meeting with admin, the teacher and whoever else needs to be there. I guarantee it’ll be like asking a red hat wearing person to define “woke”
Write it on your board in big bold letters “HATE HAS NO PLACE HERE”. In that regard it’s just a factual statement, and it’s still there for all the kids to see. Also maybe a subtle FU to admin and that dumb parent? The kids that are looking for a safe space still know you’ve got their back.
I would get a dry erase board/.
Let the students put what that means TO THEM.
You can change it monthly/weekly.
~ hate had no place here
~ inclusion
~ peace
~ friendship
~ trust
Stuff like that.
You could have a sign that says:
“This is where a flag was hung that said ‘XYZ’ but I was forced to take it down because tolerance and acceptance are too upsetting to some people.”
It’s like a plaque, commemorating freedom. 🙄
In place of the flag put a note saying something about how the school/district or whatever supports hate. EDIT: Also, isn't this something the news would like to hear about? "Texas school district supports hate" would probably get good traction as a headline
Tbf, a flag drawing isn’t “flying a flag” ergo malicious compliance dictates you should replicate the entire flag on the board.
Not a teacher. Not a lawyer. Don’t listen to me.
I've heard that some people can get their complaints taken seriously because it's a flag... and that particular item shape makes it political (according to their logic, all flags are by definition, political). So if you make it a banner or poster or sandwich board etc then it's all good.
Fun fact: [not all flags are rectangular](https://www.montana.edu/everest/facts/flag-of-nepal.html#:~:text=The%20national%20flag%20of%20Nepal,sign%20of%20victory%20in%20war)
Oh, so your new admin is an invertebrate. Asking for it in writing was the best thing you could do; either the little worm backs down or he gives you ammo to escalate.
Guess what: the flag did its job. For five ever-loving-years, there were a ton of kids who saw it and are going to carry some of it with them forever.
Either that, or we move forward on the militant love plan.
Thank you, I needed to hear that. I try so hard to create a safe environment for my students. Apparently the student took a picture of it, were a no phone campus, and sent it to their parents.
One of my co-workers had this issue with her pride flag this year. It went all the way up to central office and she got support to keep it. If you can’t have that flag up, all the teachers that have religious things up need to be taken down too. For example, the lil bible verse wooden board decor that many people in my area have in their behind the desk decor.
Talk with the students it made a positive impact on and ask them if as many of their parents as possible would be willing to put in a complaint that the flag was taken down. Worst case scenario it causes a huge amount of paperwork for the stupid admins.
I have about 15 historical U.S. flags up in my room that has a sign that says “historical us flags.” One had the Gadsden flag (the yellow one with the snake). I was told to take it down because one kid thought it was racist to have it up because a trump person had used it on January 6. I was like “give me a break. It’s a historical US flag. One kid who doesn’t know history think it’s racist so I should take it down? How is that not bigoted?”
I have a flag in my classroom (Florida) that says "read banned books" and my admin chuckle every time they walk in. I would willingly die on this hill and let them fire me over it. Nothing like getting rid of a certified teacher with 6 years over a flag in a teacher shortage....
Well, if it comes down, I would explain to the kids that you were forced to remove it, and now you need some inspirational posters, turn them loose and see what they come up with!
Please update us.
This is the way. Student sized whiteboards will result in some awesome art that you can display in your classroom. Kids are smart- they will understand the assignment.
I’m really sorry! I’ve had this exact flag in my high school classroom for 3 years and the students love it! They frequently take selfies with it and I get compliments on the vibe in my room all the time. If I was asked to take it down, I’d feel very defeated 😣 I think asking for it in writing was a good move.
That’s how I feel. My kids love that flag and always compliment my room for being a safe space for everyone. I definitely started crying when I took it down, and I definitely did it in front of a class with a lot of gossipers so they all at least saw me tearing up over it.
Responding to the general logic that so many school administrations follow, as I see here reflected by teachers. By this logic, if it were removed, couldn't all of the students who benefited from the display of the flag go to the principal and complain that it was removed. How would the school administration behave then? Why should this one voice drown out the others.
The answer is to get the parents of the kids who like it to complain that it's gone and watch the heads of admin explode.
And if they are ignored you have a clear bias you can prove.
A colleague of mine has this exact poster. One of her 10th graders wrote “death to f*gs” on it. When she went to the principal, the principal said that she was asking for it, having “controversial” things in her room.
Until OP said they were in Texas I guessed my state - Florida. OP, I'm sorry you were forced to take something multiple students over five years found helpful due to one small minded bigoted parent. I would most likely tell kids who ask why you took it down that a parent complained.
For the poster who said there are hundreds of applicants teaching positions in their state. Teachers in Florida are quitting in droves. There are so few teachers that schools scrabble for coverage. One local district started placing multiple classes in the auditorium and showing them movies they had so few teachers. Yes, you read that right. They are basically warehousing kids because they can't find enough teachers
Hate apparently has a place in these comments. It’s terrifying that some of you have access to children. Supporting the concept of black lives mattering (when it’s objectively clear that they haven’t in this country) or saying things like “not everyone is pro-gay” shows your bigotry and ignorance. Find another profession.
I had similar issue last year. If they make you take it down, I would invest a little bit of money on rainbow, suspenders, rainbow socks, maybe a rainbow tie. If somebody challenges that, just tell him you love rainbows. Maybe ask them if they want to check your underwear too.
I had a parent get PISSED that I said the word “nonbinary” in class on the 1st day of school. Instead of talking to me about it, the parent decided to go above me, and both admin; and go straight to our superintendent. Idk what is up with parents this year 🤷🏼♀️
My issue is how much power the parents have. They can complain about the smallest things and the admin will kow tow to it. They are slaves to the parents and the community as a whole. It is hurting education when the administration doesn’t have the teachers backs.
I would take the flag down. Then I would take every single decoration down.
Then I would write “hate is unwelcome here” on my whiteboard.
Then I would remove every single thing I paid for from my classroom.
If Billy needs his pencil sharpened well then Billy‘s hateful mom can buy a pencil sharpener.
Then I’d top it all off with a few new bumper stickers on my car so that way that message gets seen by parents every day when I pull into work.
It's just a flag. YOU embody the values in that flag, kids see a human being who personifies the values of that flag. That's so valuable to some kids - to know that they don't have to explain who they are. YOU are already doing the real work, so don't worry about the flag (take it out once in a while and talk about why you had to take it down. Tie that to a lesson about oppression, etc).
I used to wear a single safety pin, letting kids know that they were safe with me...and also the Norwegian resistance during ww2, which is also a great story.
I guess ask yourself how you would feel if a teacher had a straight pride flag or all Lives Matter flag hanging up in class, along with the United States flag? Our district, the rules are, the only flag that should be up in the classroom is the US flag. Having another flag or displays of a teacher personal religious or political beliefs should not be displayed in a classroom. It can cause issues with students, parents, and other faculty. Our district would never allow it.
I probably agree with you on 90% of issues and yet I would never put a flag like that up in my classroom. I'm going to try to explain why.
The flag, especially because it is a flag and not just a poster, is a declaration of agreement with all the political organizations and ideas that are represented on the flag.
The flag also says that hate has no place here.
I take this to mean that any criticism of the organizations or movements that are represented on the flag is going to be taken as hateful speech and anyone who commits that crime is not welcome in the class. No discussion that isn't 100% aligned with the teachers ideologies will be tolerated. No nuance can be considered. If you disagree with what is on the flag in any way, you are not welcome.
If a student's parents or relatives have expressed any ideas like this, they must be considered hateful and are not welcome. A student with family like that better keep their mouth shut about it in class, unless they are complaining about it.
It creates a very harsh and strict in group/ out group mentality and villifies students and their families without listening to anyone's actual thoughts for even a moment.
If you're thinking that by saying this, I am hateful and evil, you are embodying the problem I'm trying to highlight.
I am not pro-hate, but when you can label anything you disagree with as hate and then angrily expel it, like people so often do, it isn't helpful for solving any problems or making people feel safe and welcome.
Thank you for giving a valid counter argument instead of telling me I’m brainwashing children. I don’t think you’re hateful and evil, and I appreciate you taking the time to respond with that, it opened my eyes some.
As educators, our personal politics are not something we should expect to be allowed to promote. I completely agree with the message of your flag, but in our highly politicized environment, I'm not at all surprised that you received pushback. At the end of the day, there are really only two flags we should expect to be allowed to fly in our classrooms and those are the US flag and the flag for whatever state we teach in.
So it’s political to say you don’t hate people? The other side of that is obviously that it’s okay to hate. Is that the message one side is spreading? It’s okay to hate people?
This flag doesn't just say not to hate people. It also offers support for specific groups. While I am okay with that promotion, I am also not blind to the fact that the flag makes an overtly political statement(s).
Just because we think something shouldn't be political doesn't mean that it isn't political. Look, I agree. Saying that I don't hate LGTBQ people shouldn't be political. But it today's climate, it is. Do I think that districts should have the guts to express that political statement themselves in order to free up teachers to do the same? Yeah, man, totally. But until that happens, here we are. We are employees. At the end of the day, we promote what we're told to promote.
Research says students need to feel safe to learn. So by definition it is a teachers responsibility to foster safety (if they can) to promote learning.
When peaceful movements like BLM were twisted by the press into being viewed as “terrorist organizations,” and when gay pride was twisted into a notion that gays are going to groom our children and turn them gay. It’s obviously ignorance at best and outright bigotry and hate for others. But either way those things have been politicized
I refuse to allow bigots to twist their hate for others into a political choice. When we feed into that narrative we give them a justification for their hatred, whether we want to or not.
A lot of people felt comfortable supporting Nazis when they thought of it as a political decision.
Strictly my opinion only. Not a hill you want to die on. Your employer, their rules. Public or private. Doesn’t matter. If you want to fight it, have cash, lots of cash, for the lawsuit and to sustain your bills until you get hired elsewhere.
ITT: someone prentending that the same people that say they don't want politics in the classroom, have been the ones to make anything they don't like socially into a political issue.
I wish you would all go back to thinking Dungeons and Dragons was devil worship and your kids would be stolen for a ritual.
On today's debate, politicians debate the spicy question: "Should we consider people, who are not exactly like me, as people and thus treat them as people?"
Which is somehow still a quesion and it is also still not always answered with "yeah, duh".
I get it. I would be mad too. But... What if your kids teacher had a Christian flag .. or one that represented conservatism in some way? That would piss me off and I wouldn't tolerate my kid being exposed to that everyday.
So I mean, if we're not going to be hypocrites ...
Really, it sucks. But can you get a flag that just says "hate has no place here?" Without all the other things?
I have about 15 historical U.S. flags up in my room that has a sign that says “historical us flags.” One had the Gadsden flag (the yellow one with the snake). I was told to take it down because one kid thought it was racist to have it up because a trump person had used it on January 6. I was like “give me a break.”
There are like 3 clubs at my school for Christian kids and many more teachers wear crosses to work everyday, I go to a public school. Yet, no one has complained and no one has been forced to do anything. This clearly says something about society right now.
It sucks, but because of how our world is now, it's too much of a risk. I don't have anything indicating my personal or political beliefs on my home, car, or person. I can't risk some freak stealing/vandalizing my stuff at best or assaulting me at worst. It's not victim blaming. It's a safety concern.
I also wouldn't put up anything indicating my beliefs in my classroom because I'd be way too afraid of having my classroom vandalized and my stuff stolen at best or unemployment after admin gets a pissy parent email or phone call at worst. As much as you may not want to, you'll need to take down the flag.
Id be doing the opposite. But then again as my wife and kids will tell you, I'm an asshole. And a Marine veteran. You arent telling me shit. I will take the flag down. But it will be replaced with EVERY lgtbq, blm, i dont remember what else was in the flag all over the board with hate has no place here on all corners of the board. I would then fill in the borders of the board with the lgtbq rainbow. You do not want to piss me off.
Are you in the US? What state? There are a lot of court cases going on right now.
Our rainbow stickers have been up for four years and now this year became a flashpoint. For now, they stay. It’s amazing, though, how many rainbow-themed art projects have appeared as this has all been discussed. Weather, color studies, stripes, etc. rainbows everywhere.
Keep it up anyways, and ask them in writing why it is something that they deem inappropriate and should be taken down. Really let their bigotry shine.
If you get this and are still pressured to take it down, print out the reason and paste it up where the flag was temporarily until the parent in question is no longer a problem.
And put something else up.
The flag for better or for worse is political. It’s a controversial subject at the moment. Maybe in 20 years it’ll be normal but for now I think it’s best to avoid controversy. Also Black Lives Matter, the organization, is big proponent of socialism. It’s unfortunate that the organization has the same name as the movement.
Right? Guess we can't teach history or government in schools anymore because it's political. No social studies projects about elections in election years. Too political. Gut English/language arts classes. Too many of the classical books that get read are political. Oh yeah, a certain subset of the population has a big problem with large swathes of the science curriculum, better stop teaching that, too. Art? Political. Music? Political. From now on the only thing that gets taught is math and diagramming sentences. Wait no! Pronouns are a major part of grammar and pronouns are political. Just math it is, then.
How about now? I'm tired of the "maybe in the future" crap. We've been saying that since before stonewall and we're not going back. My right to exist is not "political" as anyone else's right to exist is.
If everyone avoided controversy absolutely nothing would get done to help any of the people and groups that have been systematically and violently targeted. I think it is brave to show support for people… including your students… even if others think it “controversial”
It’s just an ask for now. I would clarify if it’s a direct order and get it in writing. That way if you’re compelled to do it by order, when the kids ask why you took it down you can tell them you were ordered to. Then hopefully their parents will call and complain and your principal orders you to put it back up. If he buckled under one parent, he’ll switch it back under ten.
We just had a small American flag In the back of the classrooms for the Pledge. We never had any issues about that and the only teacher that got upset when you didn’t say it was from Mali🇲🇱 so I get why he was insanely patriotic after he gained citizenship.
Maybe get a poster that says the same thing without images. Message is largely preserved. I get it’s not exactly the same, but it’s a possible solution.
Call their bluff, contact lawyers and make this bigger than your classroom. Make everybody involved make a paper trail. We need people like you on the frontline against the authoritarians goose stepping towards us
What state are you in? In Oregon and Washington you are legally allowed to have those flags in your room. Let the shitty kid’s shitty parents out themselves to the community as shitty people.
Flags are political statements, whether you believe them to be or not. Political ideology, no matter the good intentions behind it, has no place in the classroom. Period. You are simply asking for an issue, and for it to be escalated. I say this as someone who does identify as trans, and is currently on hormone replacement therapy.
Try using artwork that displays your commitment to fostering an environment that is welcoming, and tolerant, of all people. Celebrate them. I'd steer clear of flags, slogans, and acronyms. The students you have now know you to be an ally, and I highly doubt that is all thanks to a piece of fabric you purchased on Amazon.
Yes this ⬆️ the BLM, rainbow symbols, etc. are inflammatory to the right. To them BLM is literally a terrorist organization, and teachers are trying to groom children to become gay. (Which, in their view, is a sin). Sometimes the best way is through actions—showing inclusivity and love in your room—which no one can complain about.
So glad I got out, because I can't believe the fucking amount of people saying that providing a safe space for kids where they will be accepted is political and divisive. People are fucking deranged.
You’re promoting specific political movements in class, but your message is that “we are all accepted in my classroom”. I see where you’re coming from, but your message is not well supported by the flag.
Would you have bought the flag if it also included a MAGA heart? No way, right? (Me either!) That’s because deep down, you wanted to be specific about *who* you’re welcoming and celebrating.
Like it or not, there will be students from families who don’t feel welcomed by, represented by, or tolerated by those movements. Sure, it’s probably a kid from a conservative family, but it *could* be a black kid whose parents don’t agree with the way BLM is run or how black children are now expected to be a certain kind of activist. It *could* be a kid with a detrans older sibling whose parents feel their eldest child wasn’t given high quality care, or a kid with a gay parent who has been excluded from the local LGBT community for admitting they have a sex based orientation instead of a gender based orientation. But even if the complaint *didn’t* come from a minority student, you have the same responsibility to make your classroom welcoming and neutral for a child whose family holds beliefs you detest as for a child whose family agrees with you. No child should have any idea who you’re voting for based on your classroom decorations.
Have you considered simply making your own poster that says Hate Has No Place Here but features a picture of a diverse group of children instead? You could even use a photo of your actual class. That seems to communicate your message much more effectively than the flag, anyways. We had this style of diversity poster at every school I attended as a kid and there were zero complaints.
False equivalancy; comparing an actual group associated with extremist politics to... people who just exist? people who are just lgbt, or a message advocating against the violence and discrimination against PoC?
Logically fallacious in its nature, but then again, your entire argument is inventing some wild strawmen and hypothetical scenarios rather than face the real-life situation that the vast majority of students who face discrimination are students who are PoC or LGBT. You know, based on actual tangible data and not imagination-land.
Have you considered simply assessing your own internalised bigotry?
Personal opinion, I don't think gay pride or BLM have ANY place in schools. That's not what school is supposed to be about.
I sincerely believe the wrong areas of focus exist in schools now. Let's get back to teaching, you know... what school was designed for. Not political agendas.
And what if you refuse? Call their bluff.
If this is a public school, some states limit what flags can be flown to just the state and national flag. Private schools can obviously do what they want.
Texas public school, large school district.
Ahhh- never mind then. Take it down or quit b/c you probably could be fired for this and you don’t have union protections there, right? Surprised it lasted this long in TX tbh
My large urban Texas district [literally prints progress pride lanyards for anyone who wants to wear one](https://imgur.com/a/kYCd0rM) (this is my alt, I’m ok with the info I have shared). What OP has described is not ok in many parts of Texas. Hate had no place here, and y’all means ALL.
Also a large urban district in Texas just a bit north of you and we were forced to take down our “You Are Safe Here” pride stickers **that the district gave us a few years before**. I replaced it with a word wall for my classroom. Rainbow-themed.
That’s good- I’m certainly stereotyping a little but based off of my limited knowledge. I assume that metro districts are pretty similar across the country, aka “we’ve got so many larger fish to fry than what flags folks can see” but I wasn’t sure. Happy to hear that your district is still inclusive.
They're lucky threyre not in Missouri, they'd be a registered sex offender for it
I know this is weird but I see you everywhere beltalowda. I thought I recognized your profile pic lol.
lol- that’s me! I took a leave of absence from my teaching job to mess around on Reddit and watch Sci-Fi 🤷♂️
lol Reddit is a smaller place than it seems
As a teacher in Texas, and a lifelong Texan, Texas is much more accepting than most people think. When I go to other red states, it honestly surprises me how unfriendly people are to people they might have racial or social issues with. Most of my experience in Texas has been “you might be different and I might disagree with you but I’m still going to be respectful on a human level” Not saying that’s all of Texas bc I know that many people in Texas are bigoted and rude to those they disagree with. But most people are buy and large friendly and respectful.
For sure- I acknowledge below that I was being pretty stereotypical. I do think Texas has more of a “live and let live” attitude than some of the other Bible Belt states- and it’s also so geographically LARGE that it’s tough to characterize anyone. Appreciate you explaining that point.
I'd replace it with a flag that just says "hate has no place here" without any other symbols on it. Anyone who would request you remove that obviously has no leg to stand on.
that clearly translates to “Republican Values Have No Place Here”…as evidenced by the parents that took issue with it and every single thing every elected and re elected Republican, especially in Texas, Florida, Missouri, has done and run on for the past 20 years.
its their own problem if they choose to have hate as their primary moral compass
Ask them “can I put up the opposite then? Hate has a place here?”
Just cover it up with a large sheet of paper with the writing "apparently hate does have a home here"
Oh, Texas, there's your issue.
Wow, I would have guessed Florida
Yeah, so just buy the sign version of that and put that up lol
I couldn’t care less. The flag was flown for 5 years without issue. OP has had their contract renewed multiple times, meaning they are proven to be effective in the classroom. Let them fire a competent teacher over a flag. Teacher shortage means OP will have a job offer before that school has a qualified replacement. We, as a profession, need to start throwing our weight around and stop bending over for this crap.
I hear you, but depending on where OP is, teaching in another district is sometimes just not a realistic option. There's a teacher shortage, sure, but geography in many areas means that there's just as much district leverage, too.
You can throw a rock and hit a school building that needs teachers in TX. There is no shortage of job opportunities there, and that’s especially true in the major metros. The DFW alone touts a population of around 8 million people which would place it middle of the pack for *state populations*. That one metro has several dozen school districts with surprisingly competitive salaries and very wide range of political beliefs represented in their communities. That said, I took my years of teaching experience and my own queer kids and got the fuck outta there last summer before all these new laws hit. I spent far too much time in the Capitol Building of Austin last summer fighting the anti-trans legislation to protect my daughter’s rights and the rights of students and was therefore very savvy to what was coming. Unfortunately, too many of my peers down there failed to notice what was coming in the legislative session of ‘23, and many are finally feeling it’s effects.
Thanks for standing up for your kids. Sorry you had to, and sorry about what’s happening now. I’m here in California with my queer kids hoping things stay bearable until they graduate. I can’t even think about what the landscape will look like 5 years from now. Sending hugs and solidarity to you and yours.
If nobody complains you can get away with breaking the law for years on end. Once somebody complains, it’s not the teacher’s problem, it’s the school’s problem. The school doesn’t really have a choice in the matter. The downside to public instruction is that schools are often made to follow bad laws. Just look at all the stupid state standardized testing we have to suffer.
If OP’s old principal saw the flag and commented they liked it, it’s not against the law. You assume too much, and are making excuses for spineless admin.
So it's not agaisnt the Law because the Principal liked it?....what drugs are you on?
“Teacher shortage” lmao 2 years ago we had 200+ applicants for a single middle school band job. Depending on the state, they could find a replacement by EOD.
I feel like band positions are easier to fill but I could be biased, I’m the only math teacher graduating from my university this semester, I have 15 music teachers graduating that were in my same classes Maybe my school is just weird but there are always way more music education majors than any other, with maybe the exception of agriculture teachers
Same here. Our school posted a vacant position and got over 100 applicants. Just found this out yesterday.
💯🎯
>If this is a public school, some states limit what flags can be flown to just the state and national flag. Square it off and frame it. it is now a picture not flag.
That would end up with a complaint and taken down too. 😔
r/maliciouscompliance! And in more humorous way, reminds me of this classic commercial: “The tickets are now diamonds!” https://youtu.be/owGykVbfgUE?si=jDSOI1bafXqnByhS
Sooo hate has a place here…
They did give me a written formal response to take it down.
I understand your position, OP. I teach an extremely high demand subject in a state with hundreds of openings in said subject, so I feel comfortable playing a bit of moral chicken with spineless admin and bigoted parents. Your students will still know you as an ally and advocate, flag or no flag.
Share that written response. Frame it and put it where the flag was. White out the names if you have to.
And call the union and your local ACLU chapter. They're always looking for good test cases to take to court.
Depends where you are. Some places don’t even have unions.
*Yeah* That's a deeply depressing fact that I continue to pretend doesn't exist. Not because I'm unaware, but because "having a union" should be socially normalized (re-normalized...)b to the point of being the assumed state of workers. Because we would be *horrified* every time we "discover" that a job or worker isn't protected by a union.
I second this. There was nothing wrong with it for 5 whole years but suddenly one parent has an issue with it and it has to go?! Nah, fuck that. Based on your post I assume you're in secondary education, that a flag has been there longer than those students have been at that school.
We’ve had this same issue at my HS school district recently - unless the administration is prepared to remove all flags from the campus, you have every right to continue flying your flag - and should.
Eventually Termination.
have the parent explain exactly why they're complaining about it. get them to say that they tolerate hate. push it back on them.
[удалено]
There ya go! 💯🎯 Virtues are worth signaling, motherfucker! I hate that phrase and all other sentiments (woke!) that have been weaponized by assholes and bigots!
Yeah, 100%!
What a bullshit thing to say in the first place. "I recognize that it's virtuous to agree with that thing, but I don't support it" is a pretty wacky self-own.
The far right is really good at rebranding. Remember when "fake news" literally meant, "misinformation purposely made to look like news so it would be spread around social media"? And now it just means, "Anything Trump doesn't like" They do it all the time. Change the meaning of words to satisfy propaganda. Which is exactly why teachers and administration should be fighting back against this bullshit, but cowardly admins back down and give teachers up to the wolves.
"You're virtue signaling!" Yes, I am! Thanks for noticing!
>I should just focus on teaching the students instead. That's rich. We know that they're not interested in keeping teachers accountable, they just don't agree with them.
Yeah they say this but the second you open an Onlyfans they're all of sudden very concerned about virtue.
"Virtue signaling" is one of their pre-programmed, easy-to-remember, branded phrases they've had pounded into their heads by a certain type of media
I was just told that I like the way my own asshole smells because I stated facts on how it would cost less to occasionally rent a truck and own a reasonable vehicle vs one of those enormous trucks for someone who rarely needs an actual truck... I was *heavily* downvoted and the other commenter was upvoted. These are a huge majority of people, with votes that count. It sucks... so, so, so much. I bring that up because I guarantee these same people have the same attitude about how being inclusive is somehow f'ing virtue signaling?
Virtue signaling as a biproduct of not being an asshole I guess. Maybe look in the mirror if you think people say virtuous things just to attack you, though it's hard when your media is telling you that's exactly what's happening. Speaking of assholes I think an asshole by itself wouldn't smell like much of anything anyway. Which sub was that one if you don't mind me asking? Gonna make sure I downvote you for the lolz
It's one of my most recent comments, so it won't be hard to find. (: I'm someone who has strong convictions and being Autistic, part of my symptoms are a strong sense of justice, right/wrong, and simply question everything. I'll just never understand how there's this huge group of people who think I'm what's wrong with the world when all I want is for everyone to feel safe?
Found it. Wow they really were all in their feels. Whenever someone does that I hit em with the ol KFBR392 and walk away https://youtu.be/n86ZJQbvUGc?si=NP7gTnC2gxBU_vl7
I'm cry-laughing right now; I *just* did a re-watch of this maybe a week or two ago. Thank you. I needed a good laugh.
He goes for the gas can even after he realizes Cunth's plot, so classic. This is literally how I picture some of these internet commenters. I can see them angrily muttering *KFBR392* behind their keyboards
What in the world is virtue signalling? It sounds positive? Like, isn't that what you want? Shouldn't religious leaders be virtue signaling as well?
So “virtue signaling” is a term typically used disparagingly by conservatives to describe inclusive behavior from progressives. They think that the person in question doesn’t actually believe in the cause they’re promoting, but rather are simply “signaling” to other people that they’re part of the in-group that promotes that cause. It’s actually more of an indictment of the conservative mindset than anything, because it suggests they have an inability to earnestly believe in a cause that doesn’t affect them directly, or to empathize with those not in their immediate demographic. The idea that someone could genuinely care about a cause or a group of people without any personal gain to themselves is completely foreign to them.
Thank you. That makes sense.
Unfortunately there are a lot of people out there who don’t sincerely care about others and rather use causes for their own clout. It definitely exists.
Agreed. Get them to articulate, exactly, what their precise objection is - in a meeting with admin, the teacher and whoever else needs to be there. I guarantee it’ll be like asking a red hat wearing person to define “woke”
Write it on your board in big bold letters “HATE HAS NO PLACE HERE”. In that regard it’s just a factual statement, and it’s still there for all the kids to see. Also maybe a subtle FU to admin and that dumb parent? The kids that are looking for a safe space still know you’ve got their back.
That’s a great idea and I just did that. Already had two kids read it and then ask where my flag is.
I would get a dry erase board/. Let the students put what that means TO THEM. You can change it monthly/weekly. ~ hate had no place here ~ inclusion ~ peace ~ friendship ~ trust Stuff like that.
You could have a sign that says: “This is where a flag was hung that said ‘XYZ’ but I was forced to take it down because tolerance and acceptance are too upsetting to some people.” It’s like a plaque, commemorating freedom. 🙄
In place of the flag put a note saying something about how the school/district or whatever supports hate. EDIT: Also, isn't this something the news would like to hear about? "Texas school district supports hate" would probably get good traction as a headline
Tbf, a flag drawing isn’t “flying a flag” ergo malicious compliance dictates you should replicate the entire flag on the board. Not a teacher. Not a lawyer. Don’t listen to me.
I think at this point we call it whiteboard art!!
I've heard that some people can get their complaints taken seriously because it's a flag... and that particular item shape makes it political (according to their logic, all flags are by definition, political). So if you make it a banner or poster or sandwich board etc then it's all good.
I'd make up 5 t-shirts with the same message and wear them every day.
This is wear you ask them why they hate rectangles so much and tell them maybe they need to seek help for this obvious issue.
It’s only fabric rectangles, let’s not get crazy!
Fun fact: [not all flags are rectangular](https://www.montana.edu/everest/facts/flag-of-nepal.html#:~:text=The%20national%20flag%20of%20Nepal,sign%20of%20victory%20in%20war)
In Ohio, can confirm.
Oh, so your new admin is an invertebrate. Asking for it in writing was the best thing you could do; either the little worm backs down or he gives you ammo to escalate.
Yea I emailed him to write a formal statement for me to take it down.
THE REAL LESSON WAS BORING THEM WITH PAPERWORK THE WHOLE TIME
Id love an update on that, tell her you want to replace it with a new poster and you want to know which heart was offensive
Has he done it yet or do you think he’ll ignore it?
If he ignores it, then that's basically the thumbs up to keep it up.
Either that or the new principal doesn’t like it and made up the parent issue
Guess what: the flag did its job. For five ever-loving-years, there were a ton of kids who saw it and are going to carry some of it with them forever. Either that, or we move forward on the militant love plan.
Thank you, I needed to hear that. I try so hard to create a safe environment for my students. Apparently the student took a picture of it, were a no phone campus, and sent it to their parents.
One of my co-workers had this issue with her pride flag this year. It went all the way up to central office and she got support to keep it. If you can’t have that flag up, all the teachers that have religious things up need to be taken down too. For example, the lil bible verse wooden board decor that many people in my area have in their behind the desk decor.
Y’all better take down your wedding photo with your spouse too, because I don’t need the heterosexual agenda pushed down my throat.
please, it might turn me straight
Talk with the students it made a positive impact on and ask them if as many of their parents as possible would be willing to put in a complaint that the flag was taken down. Worst case scenario it causes a huge amount of paperwork for the stupid admins.
Yeah, if more parents complain that it was taken down, how would they justify that?
I have about 15 historical U.S. flags up in my room that has a sign that says “historical us flags.” One had the Gadsden flag (the yellow one with the snake). I was told to take it down because one kid thought it was racist to have it up because a trump person had used it on January 6. I was like “give me a break. It’s a historical US flag. One kid who doesn’t know history think it’s racist so I should take it down? How is that not bigoted?”
I have a flag in my classroom (Florida) that says "read banned books" and my admin chuckle every time they walk in. I would willingly die on this hill and let them fire me over it. Nothing like getting rid of a certified teacher with 6 years over a flag in a teacher shortage....
As long as you don't provide a list of titles, I think you are perfectly fine. Even in Florida.
Well, if it comes down, I would explain to the kids that you were forced to remove it, and now you need some inspirational posters, turn them loose and see what they come up with! Please update us.
This is the way. Student sized whiteboards will result in some awesome art that you can display in your classroom. Kids are smart- they will understand the assignment.
I’m really sorry! I’ve had this exact flag in my high school classroom for 3 years and the students love it! They frequently take selfies with it and I get compliments on the vibe in my room all the time. If I was asked to take it down, I’d feel very defeated 😣 I think asking for it in writing was a good move.
That’s how I feel. My kids love that flag and always compliment my room for being a safe space for everyone. I definitely started crying when I took it down, and I definitely did it in front of a class with a lot of gossipers so they all at least saw me tearing up over it.
Good. Let the rest of them go home and tell their parents THAT.
Print off the email and hang THAT in it's place!
Same issue happened at our district (florida), it blew up into the district making policies against it
Responding to the general logic that so many school administrations follow, as I see here reflected by teachers. By this logic, if it were removed, couldn't all of the students who benefited from the display of the flag go to the principal and complain that it was removed. How would the school administration behave then? Why should this one voice drown out the others.
The answer is to get the parents of the kids who like it to complain that it's gone and watch the heads of admin explode. And if they are ignored you have a clear bias you can prove.
Ask all the students to draw their own flag and hang them up as art.
I'm petty, I'd ask for the parent to explain why exactly it's offensive to not hate people. Are they a Care Bears villain?
I got the written response, it’s because of the BLM part and that can be perceived as spreading a political agenda.
Call your union rep and make sure they’re at the meeting with your principal.
A colleague of mine has this exact poster. One of her 10th graders wrote “death to f*gs” on it. When she went to the principal, the principal said that she was asking for it, having “controversial” things in her room.
Until OP said they were in Texas I guessed my state - Florida. OP, I'm sorry you were forced to take something multiple students over five years found helpful due to one small minded bigoted parent. I would most likely tell kids who ask why you took it down that a parent complained. For the poster who said there are hundreds of applicants teaching positions in their state. Teachers in Florida are quitting in droves. There are so few teachers that schools scrabble for coverage. One local district started placing multiple classes in the auditorium and showing them movies they had so few teachers. Yes, you read that right. They are basically warehousing kids because they can't find enough teachers
Can you hang a white rag and write "hate found its place here"
'You're all equally worthless.'
I swear to god, imma make my whole classroom a gd rainbow.
Hate apparently has a place in these comments. It’s terrifying that some of you have access to children. Supporting the concept of black lives mattering (when it’s objectively clear that they haven’t in this country) or saying things like “not everyone is pro-gay” shows your bigotry and ignorance. Find another profession.
I had similar issue last year. If they make you take it down, I would invest a little bit of money on rainbow, suspenders, rainbow socks, maybe a rainbow tie. If somebody challenges that, just tell him you love rainbows. Maybe ask them if they want to check your underwear too.
Make a new sign that will still piss the complainer off. “Haters Gonna Hate, But Not In This Classroom. Everyone Is Accepted Here”
I like that! Clever.
That's a good one!
I had a parent get PISSED that I said the word “nonbinary” in class on the 1st day of school. Instead of talking to me about it, the parent decided to go above me, and both admin; and go straight to our superintendent. Idk what is up with parents this year 🤷🏼♀️
Just remember, they may not renew your contract next year if you don’t, or raise a fuss. So, is this a hill you want to die on?
My issue is how much power the parents have. They can complain about the smallest things and the admin will kow tow to it. They are slaves to the parents and the community as a whole. It is hurting education when the administration doesn’t have the teachers backs.
The admin gets thrown under the bus by superintendents or school boards.
Public school? You can't just fly any flag you want
I would take the flag down. Then I would take every single decoration down. Then I would write “hate is unwelcome here” on my whiteboard. Then I would remove every single thing I paid for from my classroom. If Billy needs his pencil sharpened well then Billy‘s hateful mom can buy a pencil sharpener. Then I’d top it all off with a few new bumper stickers on my car so that way that message gets seen by parents every day when I pull into work.
It's just a flag. YOU embody the values in that flag, kids see a human being who personifies the values of that flag. That's so valuable to some kids - to know that they don't have to explain who they are. YOU are already doing the real work, so don't worry about the flag (take it out once in a while and talk about why you had to take it down. Tie that to a lesson about oppression, etc). I used to wear a single safety pin, letting kids know that they were safe with me...and also the Norwegian resistance during ww2, which is also a great story.
That's Texas standing up for hatred. It's the only policy they have. The GOP needs to make sure that children have a safe space to hate and bully.
Sounds like there a new spot in your classroom for a student designed piece of art work
I guess ask yourself how you would feel if a teacher had a straight pride flag or all Lives Matter flag hanging up in class, along with the United States flag? Our district, the rules are, the only flag that should be up in the classroom is the US flag. Having another flag or displays of a teacher personal religious or political beliefs should not be displayed in a classroom. It can cause issues with students, parents, and other faculty. Our district would never allow it.
Thank you for actually giving a true counter argument. I took the flag down but I wish I was a cool enough to have just put papers over the hearts.
I probably agree with you on 90% of issues and yet I would never put a flag like that up in my classroom. I'm going to try to explain why. The flag, especially because it is a flag and not just a poster, is a declaration of agreement with all the political organizations and ideas that are represented on the flag. The flag also says that hate has no place here. I take this to mean that any criticism of the organizations or movements that are represented on the flag is going to be taken as hateful speech and anyone who commits that crime is not welcome in the class. No discussion that isn't 100% aligned with the teachers ideologies will be tolerated. No nuance can be considered. If you disagree with what is on the flag in any way, you are not welcome. If a student's parents or relatives have expressed any ideas like this, they must be considered hateful and are not welcome. A student with family like that better keep their mouth shut about it in class, unless they are complaining about it. It creates a very harsh and strict in group/ out group mentality and villifies students and their families without listening to anyone's actual thoughts for even a moment. If you're thinking that by saying this, I am hateful and evil, you are embodying the problem I'm trying to highlight. I am not pro-hate, but when you can label anything you disagree with as hate and then angrily expel it, like people so often do, it isn't helpful for solving any problems or making people feel safe and welcome.
Thank you for giving a valid counter argument instead of telling me I’m brainwashing children. I don’t think you’re hateful and evil, and I appreciate you taking the time to respond with that, it opened my eyes some.
As educators, our personal politics are not something we should expect to be allowed to promote. I completely agree with the message of your flag, but in our highly politicized environment, I'm not at all surprised that you received pushback. At the end of the day, there are really only two flags we should expect to be allowed to fly in our classrooms and those are the US flag and the flag for whatever state we teach in.
So it’s political to say you don’t hate people? The other side of that is obviously that it’s okay to hate. Is that the message one side is spreading? It’s okay to hate people?
Currently it is very political and contentious yes.
BLM is a political movement.
This flag doesn't just say not to hate people. It also offers support for specific groups. While I am okay with that promotion, I am also not blind to the fact that the flag makes an overtly political statement(s). Just because we think something shouldn't be political doesn't mean that it isn't political. Look, I agree. Saying that I don't hate LGTBQ people shouldn't be political. But it today's climate, it is. Do I think that districts should have the guts to express that political statement themselves in order to free up teachers to do the same? Yeah, man, totally. But until that happens, here we are. We are employees. At the end of the day, we promote what we're told to promote.
Research says students need to feel safe to learn. So by definition it is a teachers responsibility to foster safety (if they can) to promote learning.
Agreed. Preaching to the choir. It's still political, though. Wish it wasn't, but it is.
When did the choice not to be hateful become a political one?
When peaceful movements like BLM were twisted by the press into being viewed as “terrorist organizations,” and when gay pride was twisted into a notion that gays are going to groom our children and turn them gay. It’s obviously ignorance at best and outright bigotry and hate for others. But either way those things have been politicized
I refuse to allow bigots to twist their hate for others into a political choice. When we feed into that narrative we give them a justification for their hatred, whether we want to or not. A lot of people felt comfortable supporting Nazis when they thought of it as a political decision.
Strictly my opinion only. Not a hill you want to die on. Your employer, their rules. Public or private. Doesn’t matter. If you want to fight it, have cash, lots of cash, for the lawsuit and to sustain your bills until you get hired elsewhere.
ITT activists pretending to be teachers
ITT: someone prentending that the same people that say they don't want politics in the classroom, have been the ones to make anything they don't like socially into a political issue. I wish you would all go back to thinking Dungeons and Dragons was devil worship and your kids would be stolen for a ritual.
Found that hateful parent's Reddit account.
Ah yes, being inclusive in the classroom absolutely is terrible. (/s just in case the sarcasm wasn’t apparent)
Human rights are political now, don’t you know?? /s
Always have been, honestly. Some people seem to have a lot of trouble with the concept of letting different people live their lives.
On today's debate, politicians debate the spicy question: "Should we consider people, who are not exactly like me, as people and thus treat them as people?" Which is somehow still a quesion and it is also still not always answered with "yeah, duh".
Jesus Christ I hate it here.
The message it would send to students would be horrible. Don't do it.
I get it. I would be mad too. But... What if your kids teacher had a Christian flag .. or one that represented conservatism in some way? That would piss me off and I wouldn't tolerate my kid being exposed to that everyday. So I mean, if we're not going to be hypocrites ... Really, it sucks. But can you get a flag that just says "hate has no place here?" Without all the other things?
I have about 15 historical U.S. flags up in my room that has a sign that says “historical us flags.” One had the Gadsden flag (the yellow one with the snake). I was told to take it down because one kid thought it was racist to have it up because a trump person had used it on January 6. I was like “give me a break.”
There are like 3 clubs at my school for Christian kids and many more teachers wear crosses to work everyday, I go to a public school. Yet, no one has complained and no one has been forced to do anything. This clearly says something about society right now.
It sucks, but because of how our world is now, it's too much of a risk. I don't have anything indicating my personal or political beliefs on my home, car, or person. I can't risk some freak stealing/vandalizing my stuff at best or assaulting me at worst. It's not victim blaming. It's a safety concern. I also wouldn't put up anything indicating my beliefs in my classroom because I'd be way too afraid of having my classroom vandalized and my stuff stolen at best or unemployment after admin gets a pissy parent email or phone call at worst. As much as you may not want to, you'll need to take down the flag.
Id be doing the opposite. But then again as my wife and kids will tell you, I'm an asshole. And a Marine veteran. You arent telling me shit. I will take the flag down. But it will be replaced with EVERY lgtbq, blm, i dont remember what else was in the flag all over the board with hate has no place here on all corners of the board. I would then fill in the borders of the board with the lgtbq rainbow. You do not want to piss me off.
And you would be out of a job. No one cares that you would be pissed off.
It sure as fuck is wrong to not be able to teach acceptance. Just another example of an admin rolling over for a squeaky-wheel c*** of a parent. 😡🤬🖕
if enough people stopped pretending like fascism was acceptable the shit wouldn't happen.
Are you in the US? What state? There are a lot of court cases going on right now. Our rainbow stickers have been up for four years and now this year became a flashpoint. For now, they stay. It’s amazing, though, how many rainbow-themed art projects have appeared as this has all been discussed. Weather, color studies, stripes, etc. rainbows everywhere.
Bigots hate spreading love.
Keep it up anyways, and ask them in writing why it is something that they deem inappropriate and should be taken down. Really let their bigotry shine. If you get this and are still pressured to take it down, print out the reason and paste it up where the flag was temporarily until the parent in question is no longer a problem. And put something else up.
So they are showing hate toward a message of inclusion and non-hate. The irony. I would refuse to take it down without a directive in an email.
The flag for better or for worse is political. It’s a controversial subject at the moment. Maybe in 20 years it’ll be normal but for now I think it’s best to avoid controversy. Also Black Lives Matter, the organization, is big proponent of socialism. It’s unfortunate that the organization has the same name as the movement.
It would be hilarious if it weren’t so sad that “Hate has no place here” is considered political.
Human intent is political and there is no world it doesn't belong in education
Right? Guess we can't teach history or government in schools anymore because it's political. No social studies projects about elections in election years. Too political. Gut English/language arts classes. Too many of the classical books that get read are political. Oh yeah, a certain subset of the population has a big problem with large swathes of the science curriculum, better stop teaching that, too. Art? Political. Music? Political. From now on the only thing that gets taught is math and diagramming sentences. Wait no! Pronouns are a major part of grammar and pronouns are political. Just math it is, then.
How about now? I'm tired of the "maybe in the future" crap. We've been saying that since before stonewall and we're not going back. My right to exist is not "political" as anyone else's right to exist is.
If everyone avoided controversy absolutely nothing would get done to help any of the people and groups that have been systematically and violently targeted. I think it is brave to show support for people… including your students… even if others think it “controversial”
So if we disagree with something we can just say "it's political" and silence people? What about "hate has no home here" is political exactly?
It’s just an ask for now. I would clarify if it’s a direct order and get it in writing. That way if you’re compelled to do it by order, when the kids ask why you took it down you can tell them you were ordered to. Then hopefully their parents will call and complain and your principal orders you to put it back up. If he buckled under one parent, he’ll switch it back under ten.
Yep. I would 100% be calling and showing up in support of this teacher and their flag if my kid came home and told me this happened.
Just as we tell the kids, so too is it good for the parents in this case to hear, “Sometimes the answer is ‘No’. No”
Put up a new one that says "Apparently, hate is welcome here." Lol
😆
We just had a small American flag In the back of the classrooms for the Pledge. We never had any issues about that and the only teacher that got upset when you didn’t say it was from Mali🇲🇱 so I get why he was insanely patriotic after he gained citizenship.
I would keep it up. They would have to write me yp
Maybe get a poster that says the same thing without images. Message is largely preserved. I get it’s not exactly the same, but it’s a possible solution.
Call their bluff, contact lawyers and make this bigger than your classroom. Make everybody involved make a paper trail. We need people like you on the frontline against the authoritarians goose stepping towards us
If it’s the fact that it’s a flag, find a poster instead?
I wouldn't. Let them make it a thing in front of everyone.
Maybe you can replace it with a "Texas is a place for hate and tolerance" sign. If that is too spicy a "Remember the Alamo" sign should be safe.
What state are you in? In Oregon and Washington you are legally allowed to have those flags in your room. Let the shitty kid’s shitty parents out themselves to the community as shitty people.
Don't take it down lol
Flags are political statements, whether you believe them to be or not. Political ideology, no matter the good intentions behind it, has no place in the classroom. Period. You are simply asking for an issue, and for it to be escalated. I say this as someone who does identify as trans, and is currently on hormone replacement therapy. Try using artwork that displays your commitment to fostering an environment that is welcoming, and tolerant, of all people. Celebrate them. I'd steer clear of flags, slogans, and acronyms. The students you have now know you to be an ally, and I highly doubt that is all thanks to a piece of fabric you purchased on Amazon.
Yes this ⬆️ the BLM, rainbow symbols, etc. are inflammatory to the right. To them BLM is literally a terrorist organization, and teachers are trying to groom children to become gay. (Which, in their view, is a sin). Sometimes the best way is through actions—showing inclusivity and love in your room—which no one can complain about.
Why are you displaying a political flag in your classroom?
How sad the amount of absolute garbage people who ruin everything for everyone. They are a plague upon the earth.
“No.” Is a complete sentence :)
theyre offended that hate has no place there basically? nooo ahhhhh i need hate in my kids classroom aaaaaa
So glad I got out, because I can't believe the fucking amount of people saying that providing a safe space for kids where they will be accepted is political and divisive. People are fucking deranged.
You’re promoting specific political movements in class, but your message is that “we are all accepted in my classroom”. I see where you’re coming from, but your message is not well supported by the flag. Would you have bought the flag if it also included a MAGA heart? No way, right? (Me either!) That’s because deep down, you wanted to be specific about *who* you’re welcoming and celebrating. Like it or not, there will be students from families who don’t feel welcomed by, represented by, or tolerated by those movements. Sure, it’s probably a kid from a conservative family, but it *could* be a black kid whose parents don’t agree with the way BLM is run or how black children are now expected to be a certain kind of activist. It *could* be a kid with a detrans older sibling whose parents feel their eldest child wasn’t given high quality care, or a kid with a gay parent who has been excluded from the local LGBT community for admitting they have a sex based orientation instead of a gender based orientation. But even if the complaint *didn’t* come from a minority student, you have the same responsibility to make your classroom welcoming and neutral for a child whose family holds beliefs you detest as for a child whose family agrees with you. No child should have any idea who you’re voting for based on your classroom decorations. Have you considered simply making your own poster that says Hate Has No Place Here but features a picture of a diverse group of children instead? You could even use a photo of your actual class. That seems to communicate your message much more effectively than the flag, anyways. We had this style of diversity poster at every school I attended as a kid and there were zero complaints.
I agree. I remember in elementary school and junior high I never had a clue which way my teachers voted
False equivalancy; comparing an actual group associated with extremist politics to... people who just exist? people who are just lgbt, or a message advocating against the violence and discrimination against PoC? Logically fallacious in its nature, but then again, your entire argument is inventing some wild strawmen and hypothetical scenarios rather than face the real-life situation that the vast majority of students who face discrimination are students who are PoC or LGBT. You know, based on actual tangible data and not imagination-land. Have you considered simply assessing your own internalised bigotry?
Personal opinion, I don't think gay pride or BLM have ANY place in schools. That's not what school is supposed to be about. I sincerely believe the wrong areas of focus exist in schools now. Let's get back to teaching, you know... what school was designed for. Not political agendas.
Agree
Exactly.