CO 7th Grader Expelled for Gadsden Patch Due to ‘Slavery’ Origins
A Colorado Middle-Schooler Faces Consequences for Wearing a Gadsden Flag Patch
A seventh grader named Jaiden from The Vanguard School in Colorado Springs found himself in trouble on Monday. The school staff noticed the Gadsden flag patch on his backpack and promptly pulled him out of class. This incident has sparked a heated debate about freedom of expression and the historical significance of the flag.
Meet 12yo Jaiden who was kicked out of class yesterday in Colorado Springs for having a Gadsden flag patch, which the school claims has “origins with slavery.”
The school’s director said via email that the patch was “disruptive to the classroom environment.”
Receipts in the 🧵 pic.twitter.com/qQ8jK1zSpR
— Connor Boyack 📚 (@cboyack) August 29, 2023
Jaiden’s mother, accompanied by her younger child, went to the school to discuss the situation. However, she was informed that her son must remove the patch because the Gadsden flag is not allowed in class due to its alleged association with slavery. A video of the conversation shows a school staff member telling Jaiden’s mother that the patch is “disruptive to the classroom environment.”
Defending her son’s right to wear the patch, Jaiden’s mother explains that the Gadsden flag is a symbol of the Revolutionary War and has nothing to do with slavery. The flag, designed by U.S. brigadier general Christopher Gadsden in 1775, features a coiled rattlesnake with the words “Don’t Tread On Me,” serving as a warning to Britain. However, critics have pointed out that Gadsden was a slave owner.
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Jaiden expressed his confusion and frustration, stating, “She said I have to take it off. I don’t understand. Why would I have to take off a patriotic symbol? It’s just weird, it’s kind of weird. I feel like she’s infringing on my rights.” The school had previously flagged Jaiden’s patch in an email to his mother, citing a district policy that prohibits items related to drugs, tobacco, alcohol, or weapons.
The school’s Executive Director, Renee Henslee, warned Jaiden’s mother that if he returned to school on Monday with the Gadsden patch, he would be sent to the front office until it was removed. Interestingly, the school allowed Jaiden to wear his Dogecoin and “Bear Arms And Bitcoin” patches, but not the Gadsden flag or his Firearms Policy Coalition Official Member patch, which features a picture of a semi-automatic rifle.
On Monday, the school provided its rationale for banning the Gadsden flag. Vanguard School’s Director of Operations, Jeff Yocum, emailed Jaiden’s mother, citing various news articles about the flag. Yocum referenced a decision by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, acknowledging that the Gadsden flag originated in a non-racial context but has been interpreted as conveying racially-tinged messages in some contexts. He also mentioned the flag’s association with Confederate and white-supremacy groups, as well as its presence at the Capitol riot.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis weighed in on the situation, expressing his support for the Gadsden flag as a proud symbol of the American revolution. He suggested that it could be a valuable teaching moment for a history lesson.
Obviously the Gadsden flag is a proud symbol of the American revolution and an iconic warning to Britain or any government not to violate the liberties of Americans. It appears on popular American medallions and challenge coins through today and Ben Franklin also adopted it to…
— Jared Polis (@jaredpolis) August 29, 2023
As the debate continues, Jaiden returned to school on Tuesday wearing the Gadsden patch, accompanied by a tricornered hat. Two law firms have offered assistance to fight against what they perceive as viewpoint discrimination. The Vanguard School and the Harrison School District Two have not yet responded to requests for comment.
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