From the 'Ignorant Youth Who Believe They Know Everything' file comes the recent story of the University of California Irvine's Associated Students (ASUCI) voting to ban the American flag from public spaces on campus. Thankfully, the six-member student government committee were met with a veto from the ASUCI Executive Cabinet to reverse R50-70, also known as the 'Flags and Declaration Adjustment for Inclusivity' resolution.
We are eternally grateful that the Executive Cabinet worked quickly to overturn the idiocy of a small number of UCI students whose ideals are extremely questionable. Yet it is still alarming to hear the reasons why these students felt it was necessary to ban the flying of the American flag in public spaces. If you haven't yet heard their reasons, you might want to sit down.
The Flag Is Hate Speech
First and foremost, R50-70 specifically targeted the American flag even though the ban would affect all flags had it remained intact. The student legislators labeled the Stars and Stripes as 'hate speech' because, as they saw it, the flag has been flown in the past to represent instances of colonialism and imperialism. As shocking as these words are, they are the words of ignorant student legislators at UCI.
For the record, colonialism and imperialism have done more to improve the condition of the world than anyone wants to admit. British, Spanish and American colonialism has improved economies, increased educational opportunities, advanced science and on and on. In former colonies that are now suffering economically and socially, it is because the ideals established by colonialists have been abandoned in favor of petty tribal disputes and socialist mindsets.
Above and beyond the colonialism argument, I find it rather offensive that a group of students would categorize the American flag as hate speech. The American flag is a symbol of the independence and pull-yourself-up-by-the-bootstraps mentality that has made this country great. Would the same six students classify the Chinese flag as hate speech, knowing what the Chinese government has done to those who verbally disagree with it. Would they attach the hate speech label to the Soviet flag, the Cuban flag, the Vietnamese flag, etc. Probably not.
The Flag Triggers Bad Feelings
True patriots are pleased to know that the ASUCI faced a firestorm of backlash last week when news of their idiocy began breaking. They reluctantly came out of the closet to defend themselves over the weekend, claiming that their resolution was based on good intentions. According to Breitbart News, the students only wanted to protect the feelings of other students who might be 'triggered' by seeing the American flag flying in public spaces.
In real-speak, the students attempted to say they passed their resolution so that illegals taking courses at UCI would not be offended at the site of the flag. That is what they claimed. In reality, I would suggest that the students despise the U.S. flag as much as our known enemies. They blame the United States for everything that is wrong in the world and, as a result, cannot stand the sight of Old Glory. I say, 'Too bad!'
If the sight of the American flag triggers bad feelings in some students, they have two options. The first is to simply close their eyes or look the other way. No one is forcing any students to gaze longingly on the Stars and Stripes or, heaven forbid, pledge allegiance to it. Everyone and anyone is free to look away.
The second solution, and the one I prefer by the way, is to simply get out. Anyone who does not appreciate what America stands for and how much we have done for the world in our short history need not stay here. There are plenty of other countries in the world more than happy to assuage their socialistic and/or communist viewpoints.
For the record, America has not always done everything right. The recent scandals involving NSA spying are but one example. However, before America's young people start spitting on the United States because of the actions of a handful of politicians they have observed in their short lifetimes, they should probably put a little effort into studying the nation's entire history. There is no perfect political or government system, not even America's. But the things we stand for here in the U.S. life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness cannot be found ingrained in the founding documents of any other country. To ban our flag is to deny the three most fundamental tenets of American history, society and culture.
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