Mass School Tells Child to Take Down Drawing of American Flag So It Wouldn’t “Offend” Other Students…
Liberal academia starts the brainwashing early.
ORANGE, Mass. (WWLP) — A civil rights controversy is brewing at an elementary school in the Town of Orange, and it all surrounds an 11 year-old’s drawing of the American Flag.
The family of Frankie Girard is claiming that their son’s civil rights were violated after a teacher allegedly told him that hanging his picture of the American flag would offend another student.
The Butterfield Elementary School is at the center of controversy for the incident on Monday. According to Frankie Girard’s father, John, the boy was in art class drawing a picture.
“He was denied hanging the flag up. And, he asked if he could just even hang it on his desk, and he was told no. He could take the picture that he drew and take it home and be proud of it there,” Girard said.
So, that is where it is, among the hundreds of other family pictures and military honors that adorn the walls of the Girard family home.
According to his father, the teacher told Frankie that his drawing of the American Flag would offend one of his classmates. “We’re allowing him to display his civil rights and be proud of who he is, but we’re denying Franklin those same rights,” Girard said.
Posted by ZIP on Thursday, May 12, 2011, at 1:52 pm | 
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We need to have another rally at another school denying a child his RIGHT to express patriotism.
We need to start calling for the firing of these “teachers”.
So… who was this one student that would be offended by the flag?
Well, if the other student is offended, he or she will just have to get over it. This is the United States of America; I damn sure am not going to take down my flag (flying proudly in my front yard) because some yahoo is “offended” by it, and I can’t see any good reason why a public school, paid for by public dollars should cater to a student who claims to be “offended” by the flag of the nation that is paying for their education.
“…..would offend another student”
———–
Does this student speak English?
If someone is so easily offended by anything ‘American’, then what are they doing here?
.
I am so sick of this!!! If someone is offended by the American flag displayed anywhere in this country, then GET THE HELL OUT! Of course, the teacher was not concerned about offending Frankie and was probably the one offended.
Oh no, the communists are offended?!?! Oh dear… I’m tired of the word offensive, if offends me that other might be offended by FUCKING ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING! Close your damned eyes or use blinders and headphones or stay in your damned house, just please, please PLEASE stop the prettying up and dumbing down and sensor-ing of EVERYONE ELSE for your peace of mind when your mind WILL never be at peace because you’re an ASSHOLE!
This is “Obama’s AmeriKa” .
Those that are Offended by the Color of the Presidents skin is Racist………those that are Offended by the America Flag are Heroes !
I wonder what the reaction would have been had the student wanted to wear a Che Guevera T Shirt or the Obama Hope T-Shirt?
Didn’t all classrooms used to ahve the American flag in them ? As I recall they did ..but I’m 52 so I might be recalling ancient history.
@DirtClod: Mine did. But then again, I’m 54…
I wonder what the others kids drew and why a flag would offend ONE of the students?
This sort of thinking is so wrong. Will the student who is offended by the American Flag picture sue by use of CAIR ? I would think so..
Contact information. feel free to let them know WE ARE OFFENDED.. That an American student in an American school can’t hang up a picture he drew of an American flag for free of offending ONE NON AMERICAN CHILD.
Shit.. hit comment before I posted contact information.
Robert Haigh, Principal
94 South Main Street
Orange, Massachusetts 01364
978-544-6136
FAX: 978-544-1121
Sue Richardson, School Secretary
If you have any questions or comments for us, please email us at: butterfield@orange-elem.org
Surround that school with American flags.
Mine did too, I’m 46. And we proudly recited the pledge every morning. It’s politically incorrect these days to have pride in our country. Such a shame. Time for more Pro-Patriotic Demonstrations like the students showed at LSU yesterday!
These jabs at America must stop. Many thanks to those at LSU that prevented that US hater from burning our flag. I read many comments about that event that said smack like, ‘it’s made in china, it’s just a cloth’….not so – it’s much more that that.
Our flag is a symbol, an ideal, a movement, its design champions all 50 states and honors the 13 original states to fight for our independence. To do anything but honor and respect the flag, is perhaps not un-American ‘per se’, but it is nonetheless a form of sedition that weakens American values. We should work everyday to strengthen these values and when liberal and socialist dick-heads attempt to stomp all over us, they need to be snapped back and slapped down.
http://www.usflag.org
How much do you want to bet that if the flag was the hammer and sickle of the USSR they would have allowed it to be hung on the wall? Or the flag of Mexico. Or the palestinian flag. Or the muslim brotherhood.
It’s a sucker bet, I know.
Immigrants offended by America should go home. It’s that simple.
Just to let everbody know, I’ve been around for a while, and I’ve never ever not once in my entire life met anybody who was ever once offended by the flag.
Articles like this are CRAP because they don’t mention the teacher, principal and superintendent BY NAME. Why are they protecting this a$$hole? She probably has tenure anyway, so, let it ALL hang out!!!
Updated: Thursday, 12 May 2011, 11:45 AM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 11 May 2011, 4:55 PM EDT
snip:
22News tried to contact the Superintendent, Dr. Paul Burnim. He refused to go on camera, but told 22News over the phone that nobody ever told Franklin the drawing was offensive, and said the only reason it wasn’t hung was because Franklin was supposed to be doing other work; not drawing a picture. In a statement he said: “Each of our schools flies the American Flag every day. At the Butterfield School, the Pledge of Allegiance is recited by students and staff. And the other schools recite the Pledge of Allegiance at least once per week.”
I am not buying it.
So, which flag is flying outside the building now? I assume Old Glory, but by their same logic, wouldn’t this have to come down too?
Do we even need to play “guess the religion” of the SINGLE student who might be “offended?”
If that teacher had any concious brain activity, s/he could have turned the flag drawing to a teachable moment for the student with such tender sensibilities.
Orange, Massachusetts? What country is that located in? Cuba, Uzbekistan, Russia or Red China? No, sounds maybe more like they’re in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan or Iran.
More on the story from Facebook page:
This is the facts as written by Franklen’s Father, John Girard…
by I Support Frankie Girard, and The US FLAG on Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 10:28am
Franklen and the Flag
This started when a boy in my sons class refused to say the pledge of allegience. My son didn’t understand why and questioned him about it. Well this led to my son being punched in the face. That was about a week ago. This past Monday my son drew a flag to honor his siblings and another family member in support of their service. Please note that this a major topic in my household. He was refused to display this flag as the school determined it would be offensive to the other student. Their response was “You can hang it at home and be proud of it there.” I took issue with their comments and spoke to the principal about it. We ended the conversation with then understanding that I was very displeased with their decision. About an hour later I got a phone call from the school where they were accusing my son of stealing a book from the school. It was a book my wife had purchased for him last month in a store in Athol. The school has several copies of the book also. There is one difference. Their copies are stamped with a school stamp. Franks is not. What the school has done has try to defame Franklen so as to silence him. He was yelled at by his teacher and the prncipal, told he was a liar and a thief. Never given the benefit of doubt. The school is afraid to take on the religous views and in fear of violating the civil rights of the other boy and in the process is violating Franks civil rights. According to the ACLU they are also breaking the new bullying laws. The school was hoping to bully Frank and myself into relenting. Once I had called the ACLU I received a call from the Superintendent of Orange Schools, he asked me if they were to allow Franklen to display his flag on his desk would that make this all go away. They just don’t get it. Not too sure where it’s going from here. I do hope I have answered your questions. John Girard (Franks dad)
Thanks for sending my blood pressure skyrocketing.
Hey get a grip folks. From the link to the original story (conveniently cut off for this blog):
“2News tried to contact the Superintendent, Dr. Paul Burnim. He refused to go on camera, but told 22News over the phone that nobody ever told Franklin the drawing was offensive, and said the only reason it wasn’t hung was because Franklin was supposed to be doing other work; not drawing a picture. In a statement he said: “Each of our schools flies the American Flag every day. At the Butterfield School, the Pledge of Allegiance is recited by students and staff. And the other schools recite the Pledge of Allegiance at least once per week.”"
http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/franklin/Controversy-over-child%27s-flag-drawing
What don’t get it. The parents obviously hate their child!!
What am I missing? A parent or parents must have enrolled the little person knowing full well flag would be there. Time to trash a teacher…
Find the student who ‘would be offended’, check their imigration status, and send them back to country of origin.
In a fucking box.
And send the fucking teacher with them.
The town has less the 4000 people. 95% white, 3%Black, 1% mixed and 1% Asian.
wonder who the problem was?
Anyone living in this country who is offended by the American Flag should
Get.The.Hell.Out.
You know, continuing stories like this only fuel what happened on campus yesterday at LSU.
Keep`em coming, you idiot liberal/leftist public school admins.
Keep`em coming.
Fight these asshole liberal ideas
This is another WTF moment.
If the US flag is so offensive, I’d suggest those offended by the sight of Old Glory to find a flag to their liking, I’d gladly help them pack so they can get the heck of of the US….
It is offensive to think that these liberals who enjoyed freedom here could be the worst of the bunch, almost like the brown shirts
I like the fact the the father is now looking to the ACLU to fight the school. It is great to see the Lib get bit by the same dog they use to attack the US.
Just speaking as someone who once considered becoming an art teacher (English major, art minor, you want fries with that?), this story makes me do a facepalm so hard that it hurts.
ART teacher. ART teacher. NOT politics or philosophy or government or social studies or whatever they’re teaching these days. ART.
I’m offended by the teacher and offended student. So now the teacher and student MUST be banned from the United States.
This is one of many reasons I have a bumper sticker on my truck which reads, AMERICA- LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT
Remember those days? Still applies TODAY. loud and clear.
Maybe the little Pinko ‘other student’ and his Pinko family ought to move someplace else. When are people in this country going to stand up to these commies that act like WE are the immigrants, or the malcontents, or the ones who should be bowing to their ever stupid demands? I was born in this country and am proud of it, but everyday there are more reasons for me to get furious about the idiots that either came here, or were born here, and expect patriotic Americans to roll over and let them do whatever they want to about taking MY rights. They offend me but I’m not to say anything about it but if they are offended the whole country should bow to them and their demands. I don’t think so.
Remove the damn teacher……….not the American flag!
I hope the parents are getting together to put a stop to this insanity. If anyone is offended by the American flag then they should leave America & go to a country that has a flag that doesn’t offend them, period. Take it or leave it but STFU.
Sounds like the problems at this school go deeper than just one teacher…
EVERYONE SEND A COPY OF THE AMERICAN FLAG TO THE SCHOOL VIA FAX, MAIL, OR EMAIL TO:
Butterfield Elementary School
94 South Main Street
Orange, MA 01364-1700
tel: (978) 544-6136
fax: (978) 544-1121
email: butterfield@orange-elem.org
Won’t somebody tell these fucking teachers what country they are in…
Maybe we should send a few LSU students up there to talk to the teacher.
@Anthony….Thanks!
Head fuckin explosion, can’t I make it through one day w/out one?
The following was my e-mail to Butterfield Elementary:
Robert Haigh,
The incompetence shown by you and your staff is astounding. By not allowing Franklin Girard to display his American flag you have disrespected every military veteran that has served and the nearly one million soldiers who have died defending this great nation. You have disrespected every patriot that has sacrificed so we may prosper, the American flag represents our freedoms; the freedom of speech, freedom to assemble, freedom of religion, freedom of press. Apparently Butterfield Elementary teachers aren’t familiar with the Declaration of Independence or the Bill of Rights? Here is the First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
The actions of your school are despicable, at a minimum you owe Franklin an apology, I personally would like the school to display Franklin’s flag for all the world to see regardless of who it offends, and I ask that you recognize your actions have offended me and millions of others who like me cherish our freedoms.
Regards,
I encourage each of you following this blog to do the same.
I read this . So far we have the father’s story.
I would not jump tp any conclusions yet.
It my come out to be so but maybe not.
WHAT’S HAPPENING TO MY COUNTRY? Even in the 1st grade, Mrs. Nall would allow me and other children to hold the American Flag as we all said the Pledge of Allegiance. I’m no “Spring Chicken” but I can remember that like it was yesterday! I couldn’t wait until it was my turn to hold it next! I / WE were proud to be an American, proud of our country, proud of our flag. This is sad, very sad. to me.
When this kind of thing happens, the school’s contact info/principle needs to be shared, and we all need to call. Hearing from many voices lets them know their actions are absurd & in the minority. This isn’t about religion, but about patriotism and respect of the flag that represents the very freedom ALL of us, and everyone in that classroom & school, enjoys.
I’ve made many firm but respectful calls across the country over such idiotic situations, and will gladly continue to do so. It seems, based on one of the posts, that this issue was resolved by the father, but if he shares info & asks that we place a call of support, I’ll be glad to call!
No USA flag in the classroom should = no State or Federal funding for that school.
I’m offended that someone is offended… join poop..(people offended at offended people)
name and number of the teacher please .
Bryan…..your post has so moved me! Where can I join? But I guess POOP is where you find it! Great Post!
This is one of those bullshit stories, ginned up entirely out of thin air.
First, the ony person alleging the story is the father.
No one else.
Not one single corroborating story, just one guy, making a claim that is denied by the school superintendent.
Is this article from the gossip section? It’s has no factual information and is specifically targeted to get people angry at teachers. So let me add some more non-facts
Hey maybe – the kid is always drawing in class and the teacher has told him to pay attention bazillion times. His dad doesn’t like the teacher because he can’t accept the fact that his son is a poor student and he hasn’t taken any personal responsibility in changing the son’s behavior, so instead the dad tells the son to draw flags until the teacher says something…. That will allow him to get back at the teacher……
Want to bet it is more this than an unpatriotic teacher?
I just went to the school’s website. I e-mail the superintendant and expressed my outrage. Fortunately the websites also had fax numbers so I faxed the school and the superintendant photos of the American Flag!
@ Liberty60 “Not one single corroborating story, just one guy, making a claim that is denied by the school superintendent.”
Oh yeah, because god forbid that a public official caught in an embarrassing position wouldn’t try and spin his way out of it…no…never. And they are so far beyond reproach…please sir…please.
I dealt with this crap in my son’s school several years ago. So forgive me if I do believe at least the premise. Especially some snot nosed bully in the “protected class” pulling B/S like this, and then the school system having to do damage/spin control.
This is America. If someone doesn’t like the American flag, they should move their butt to another country that suits them. This is America, the flag should fly with Pride, Honor and Freedom.
This story is not being reported in its entirety. The real story is that the kid was drawing when he was supposed to be doing other work. He was not allowed to hang it for that reason. It has nothing to do with a flag. It could have been a pictures of a unicorn and it would have been the same. Please read the entire story before you jump out of your skin. Thanks
Mike,
You don’t get it. You have stumbled into a halfway house for outrage junkies. These sickos DO NOT CARE what the facts are. They need their outrage drug on a daily basis just to gather up the energy to go buy another bag of cheetos. Thats all this site, and hundreds of others like it, are in the business of doing. Pushing any and all kinds of junks to keep these pathetic creeps going.
Joe
Well said. All sites like this do is promote conspiracy and sadly.. the average citizen believes this garbage. They have no interest in learning the truth. It makes me sad
ZIP excerpted the first 6 paragraphs of the story
and skipped the 7th:
“…nobody ever told Franklin the drawing was offensive, and said the only reason it wasn’t hung was because Franklin was supposed to be doing other work; not drawing a picture. In a statement he said: “Each of our schools flies the American Flag every day. At the Butterfield School, the Pledge of Allegiance is recited by students and staff. And the other schools recite the Pledge of Allegiance at least once per week.”
I don’t think conservatives
ever get tired of being played for fools
by fellow conservatives.
As far as I’m concerned any teacher, principal, school district, subdivision, company, corporation, elected official, etc., residing in the United States of America should be charged with treason if they refuse to allow an American to draw, to hang, to wear, to fly an American flag. THIS IS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Our country our Flag.
When someone comes to this country, the United States of America, no one tells them they can’t fly the flag of their land, no one tells them they have to change their religion, no one tells them they can’t speak their mind, no one tells them they have to change their choice of clothing. They have no restriction, we only ask that they follow our laws and come here through the right channels. But an American child, in the United States, is going to be told he can’t draw and hang a picture of the American flag in his school.
These United States the land our great-grandfathers, grandfathers, fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, uncles, aunts have fought and many DIED to protect, for our freedoms; and a child can’t have his art project displayed, because it’s an American flag and it might offend someone. Our children are told they can’t hang a picture of the Flag of the United States in their school, in American, it might offend. That teach has just shown insulted and disrespect all Americans and America.
One columnist is reporting that the teacher reacted the way she did because of a previous incident when the Jehovah’s Witness Child punched Frankie Girard after Frankie inquired why he refused to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
The day after the 9/11 tragedy, an apartment renter in Texas displayed an American Flag in the window of her apartment. While she was at work, her Jehovah’s Witness Landlord entered the apartment and removed the Flag.
That and other more outrageous stories and lawsuits are posted at the following two websites:
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