Douglas Sedlak: Wrong response on flag-stomper
Regarding the Sept. 24 news brief “Unpaid leave for flag-stomping”: Lee Francis, the Massey Hill Classical High teacher who stepped on an American flag to demonstrate freedom of speech, has been suspended by his school district. He has hired an attorney.
To criticisms that his action disrespects soldiers and first responders Francis said, “It doesn’t mean I step on their bodies as they return from overseas. It means I step on a piece of fabric.” He is correct.
May Francis win a settlement for the school district infringing on his fundamental American right to freedom of speech. The responses of students and the school district were dead wrong; an appropriate response would have been to trample a picture of Francis and his family. After all Francis would be the first to agree that the picture is just a piece of paper. Provided, that is, there was no racial intent, a clear violation of Francis’ civil rights for which he could rightfully bring suit.
Douglas Sedlak
Pittsboro
This story was originally published September 27, 2016 at 4:21 PM with the headline "Douglas Sedlak: Wrong response on flag-stomper."