Ellie Kinnaird: A vivid illustration

Regarding the Sept. 27 editorial “Flag-stomping teacher needs a lesson in common sense” reprinted from the Fayetteville Observer: Rather than being suspended, Massey Hill Classical High School civics teacher Francis Lee should be commended for teaching not only his students, but also the public, the true meaning of the First Amendment’s free speech clause.

Lee stepped on the American flag in his class to vividly illustrate the U.S. Supreme Court Texas v. Johnson case. The Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld as protected speech what some consider desecration of the flag. Lee’s dramatic illustration taught his students so much more than reading about the case in a book and even led to a statewide debate of our rights as Americans.

I hope the Fayetteville school system will apologize to him and thank him for his demonstration of our constitutional rights and that all those who are condemning him – and even issuing death threats – will really understand what true courage is and what it means to be an American living by our Constitution.

This story was originally published October 1, 2016 at 6:00 PM with the headline "Ellie Kinnaird: A vivid illustration."