California student group bans American flag from lobby

[Saint Frankenstein]

IRVINE, Calif. — The student government at University of California, Irvine has voted to ban display of the American flag — or any flag — from its lobby.

A resolution that was narrowly approved by the legislative council of the campus' Associated Students calls bans all flags from the common lobby area of student government offices, according to the Orange County Register. It prompted removal of the American flag from a lobby wall.

The student council approved the resolution on a 6-4 vote Thursday, with two abstentions. The executive cabinet was expected to consider a veto on Saturday.

The resolution authored by student Matthew Guevara of the university's social ecology school lists 25 reasons for the ban, saying that the American flag has been flown in times of "colonialism and imperialism" and could symbolize American "exceptionalism and superiority." The resolution says "freedom of speech, in a space that aims to be as inclusive as possible, can be interpreted as hate speech."
California student group bans American flag from lobby

I'm ashamed of being from California at the moment. What a bunch of self-hating morons. Go move to the Middle East and whine about how horrible America is, you privileged pansies.

 

[Slide]

They have the right to do what they've done, but it always boggles my mind when I see people do this kind of thing in the United States. I wonder if they realize the freedom given to them by the Constitution is what allows them to ban the symbol of the country that provides that freedom. In speaking to folks who burned flags in protest, they really don't seem to get it. Thankfully, the school and the president of the ASUCI issued the following statements:

Campus statement on flying the American flag | UCIrvine News

Statement from ASUCI President on Flag Legislation | ASUCI

I see this piece of legislation disappearing soon, and hopefully very quickly, though it may explode into a legal battle over the definition of hate speech.

 

[EtuMalku]

Have they done anything towards 'separation of church & state' ? That is the real problem . . .

 

[Poeticus]

IRVINE, Calif. — The student government at University of California, Irvine has voted to ban display of the American flag — or any flag — from its lobby.

A resolution that was narrowly approved by the legislative council of the campus' Associated Students calls bans all flags from the common lobby area of student government offices, according to the Orange County Register. It prompted removal of the American flag from a lobby wall.

The student council approved the resolution on a 6-4 vote Thursday, with two abstentions. The executive cabinet was expected to consider a veto on Saturday.

The resolution authored by student Matthew Guevara of the university's social ecology school lists 25 reasons for the ban, saying that the American flag has been flown in times of "colonialism and imperialism" and could symbolize American "exceptionalism and superiority." The resolution says "freedom of speech, in a space that aims to be as inclusive as possible, can be interpreted as hate speech."
California student group bans American flag from lobby

I'm ashamed of being from California at the moment. What a bunch of self-hating morons. Go move to the Middle East and whine about how horrible America is, you privileged pansies.

I'm a naturalized citizen of the United States of America, and these irrationally idealistic born-citizens really have no idea how good they have it. But I guess this ban is really just an "ordinary human response to political and economic instability".

 

[Skwim]

I'd like to see their list of 25 reasons for the ban. Failing that, the action seems a bit silly.

 

[MD]

Liberalism at its finest

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I'd like to see their list of 25 reasons for the ban. Failing that, the action seems a bit silly.

Legislation

 

[McBell]

Perhaps I am missing something....

Why should this mole hill be turned into a mountain?

 

[Skwim]

Legislation

Thanks.

I read most of the reasons and failed to see how many related to their "Let it be resolved" positions.

 

[Skwim]

Perhaps I am missing something....

Why should this mole hill be turned into a mountain?

I think it's a matter of cutting classes and winding up with too much free time on their hands---just my biased impression.

 

[gsa]

Liberalism at its finest

No. But this is a consequence of representative democracy and government.

Liberals know the difference between the symbols and the values they represent. Leftists are another matter, and not all of them are liberals.

 

[MD]

No. But this is a consequence of representative democracy and government.

Liberals know the difference between the symbols and the values they represent. Leftists are another matter, and not all of them are liberals.

Most students were too busy studying to get involved politically, especially those studying the sciences, engineering, medicine and law. The only people who got politically involved had the time to and their actions spoke for the entire student body.

It annoyed the heck out of me, but then again the university I went to had mafia connections so what do I know.

 

[gsa]

Most students were too busy studying to get involved politically, especially those studying the sciences, engineering, medicine and law. The only people who got politically involved had the time to and their actions spoke for the entire student body.

It annoyed the heck out of me, but then again the university I went to had mafia connections so what do I know.

Well those who vote decide. That's how democracy works, at every level.

 

[Twilight Hue]

China would never ban their flag.

What's wrong with the frequency Kennith?

 

[Twilight Hue]

Well those who vote decide. That's how democracy works, at every level.

Doesn't work in the real world. At least not anymore.

 

[MD]

Well those who vote decide. That's how democracy works, at every level.

But that's not fair, those with the means and the time would have a greater say than those without. Even though those without time most likely benefit the university much more than the student council can or would.

 

[Twilight Hue]

I'm a naturalized citizen of the United States of America, and these irrationally idealistic born-citizens really have no idea how good they have it. But I guess this ban is really just an "ordinary human response to political and economic instability".

I can see that. Its more a testament of frustration.

If the flag symbolises freedom and liberty than it's political structure must reflect the symbolic nature by which the flag stands.

If the political structure falls short upon which the flag is supposed to symbolise, then remove it as it's no longer being represented.

 

[gsa]

But that's not fair, those with the means and the time would have a greater say than those without. Even though those without time most likely benefit the university much more than the student council can or would.

You apply this same critique to liberal democracy generally? Or just when the outcome is adverse to your beliefs?

 

[xkatz]

I am not surprised this happened at a California university of all places...

 

[MD]

You apply this same critique to liberal democracy generally? Or just when the outcome is adverse to your beliefs?

Wtf are you talking about? This is a valid critique, whether it be for students who are actually doing work in a university setting (science majors vs arts majors) or the masses (poor vs rich). If a system does not represent the majority of the people, then it is flawed. If the process is so detached from the majority, then it is flawed. Adding words like 'liberal' and 'democracy' doesn't make it perfect.