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By Lynn Hotaling
A parent of a high school student asked local school officials
last week (Nov. 14) to reconsider a Sept. 22 decision that paved
the way for students to choose clothing that displays the Confederate
flag.
Stella Moore told members of the Jackson County Board of Education
that her son had heard racial slurs at Smoky Mountain High School
and described an incident where students ran across the football
field (during a pep rally) carrying a Confederate flag and yelling
"KKK."
"Your decision was made without regard for the feelings of
those who think that flag represents racism and slavery,"
Moore said.
According to Moore, she and other parents of African-American
students met with then Superintendent Mack McCary but were told
nothing could be done.
(McCary, who was dismissed by school board members the following
day, was unavailable for comment.)
By overturning Cullowhee Valley Principal Theresa Peters's decision
to suspend four teens because their clothing displayed Confederate
flags, board members told students principals have no power, Moore
said.
"Your handbook says clothing that is disruptive is not permitted.
Does this not include African-American students?" Moore asked.
School Board Chairman James Roper said Tuesday that board members
had not yet discussed Moore's remarks but planned to revisit the
matter.
School board members Sept. 22 reinstated the four CVS students,
two boys and two girls, who Peters had suspended.
"There is nothing in our handbook that says (students) cannot
wear shirts that have the Confederate flag,"
Roper said then. "They can wear it as long as it doesn't
cause a disturbance and it's not vulgar."
The question of whether students could wear clothing with the
flag came down to a "free speech" issue, then Superintendent
McCary said at the time.
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