Readers Respond -- Symbols draw differing responses
I read Byron de Arakal’s column about the three students at Newport
Harbor High and their campaign against hate on campus (Between the Lines,
“Protest of three reveals content of hearts,” June 12). I am proud of the
actions of these young men, as I am sure are their parents and most, if
not all, of our community.
I know it took courage to take these actions in the face of the
extreme peer pressure that exists in every high school, and I applaud
them for seizing a leadership role. I hope their campaign spreads and
that we can reduce, and some day eliminate, this kind of divisiveness
from our schools.
MARC FRANKLIN
Newport Beach
This is regarding “Company pulls logo after Sailor protest” (June 11).
A couple of years ago, some black residents of Boston proclaimed the
shamrock a hate symbol.
Palestinians might consider the Star of David a hate symbol.
Israelis might consider the Palestinian flag a hate symbol.
What about Brown Power T-shirts that are seen in the local schools?
Are they hate symbols?
The real hate seems to be coming from people who wish to keep other
people from freely expressing themselves. This situation was anticipated
by our Founding Fathers, who made the First Amendment pretty clear that
people may express their views freely even if others don’t like these
views or symbols.
The real and immediate problem is not hate as evidenced by words or
symbols, but the hate that is coming from certain petty tyrants who want
everyone to think and express themselves in certain approved (by the
petty tyrants) ways.
The Newport-Mesa Unified School District will be hard pressed to craft
a dress code that does not violate the First Amendment right of free
speech.
H. MILLARD
Costa Mesa
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