Fight the power, get 10 days forced vacation
Rebel flag petition sparks war of words
Update1: Girl Suspended After Protest Over Rebel Flag
Update2: Flag protester’s suspension will be reduced
Last updated 31 January
Krista Abram’s moved from Pittsburgh to Tarpon Springs (Fla) and was shocked at the casual usage of the Confederate flag. This is understandable. Up north it just isn’t used. It’s considered a symbol of racism, period. Down south it is commonly used to express southern pride. Unfortunately it is a tarnished symbol and no matter how we dislike the fact, it does mean racism to many people. Does that mean I agree with Krista that the flag should be banned? No, but it does mean that she has a legitimate grievance.
Update1: Some of the slogans that accompanied the flag t-shirts were of an obviously racist slant. Example: “If I had known this, I would have picked my own cotton.”
So on Tuesday at lunch she and her brother went around asking people to sign a petition “in favor of a ban on symbols that could be interpreted as discriminatory”. Sounds reasonable to me. Proactive, peaceful, fairly effective (94 signatures). It wasn’t reasonable to the school though. They sent her home and gave her a 10 day suspension. Seems she broke a rule requiring that student petitions be approved by the principal.
Now two things bother me here. First, 10 days is a massive suspension. Two entire weeks out of school for failure to consult the principal before passing around a petition during her free time. This is a monstrous abuse of power and the punishment goes far beyond what the infraction deserves.
A single mother, [Paula] Lopez said her daughter was never given a hearing as required by school codes and she received written notification about the suspension only Thursday.
A ten day suspension without a hearing. That’s unbelievable abuse. The school failed to abide by their own codes and levied a huge penalty on Krista for breaking one. That smacks of hypocrisy and the “Above the rules” attitude present in too many institutions.
The second thing that bothers me is the censorship powers of the principal. Would he have allowed this petition to be circulated if he had been approached properly? The crushing 10 day sentence tends to indicate that this would not have been the case and was perhaps why Krista didn’t submit it.
Update2:
Pinellas County school administrators expect that Krista Abram’s 10-day suspension from Tarpon Springs High School will be reduced, superintendent Howard Hinesley said Friday.
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On Friday, Tarpon Springs High principal Dennis Duda called Abram’s mother to schedule a meeting to discuss the suspension.
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Hinesley said he didn’t talk to Duda and said the decision of whether to reduce the suspension and by how much would rest with the principal.
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Hinesley said he wasn’t second-guessing how the matter was handled because “I wasn’t there.” But he noted that on a large campus “things can get out of hand really quick” when students are not following directions and not going to class.
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Asked what he thought of wearing clothing emblazoned with the Confederate flag, Hinesley said, “Personally, I don’t think a T-shirt like that should be worn. But it doesn’t matter what I think. There are lots of things that people wear that I don’t like.”He elaborated, saying, “what my personal opinion is or other people’s personal opinions are is irrelevant unless it gets to the point where you can’t manage the school . . . and it rests with the principal to make that determination.”
I go to Tarpon Springs High School and I am a white female and Krista Abram is mah bestfriend. I myself find the shirts offensive not just cause she is my friend but I have seen firsthand how it affects her and her brother another one of my bestfriends and I have seen with my own 2 eyes how they are affected when people decide to tell a “black” joke, yet if anyone were to make a “redneck”joke they would get in trouble. Also I know how it feels to be in Krista’s shoes cuz I myself and our other “white” friends are receiving rude comments just cuz we are friends with her and support her. I am sooo proud of her for standin up for herself!!!!!
It’s okay to be affected negativily by the confederate flag because alot of people are but the way miss Abram puts it would make anybody autmatically asume that the flag is a symbol of racism which I believe is wrong. Down in the south even more so in ex-confedrate states the confederate or rebel flag if you will is a symbol of heritage not hate towards any race. I myself display the confedrate flag frequently but that does not mean I’m racist. Although according to miss Abram it is no matter what anyone says or does. So to conclude her notion was honorable but she should have really got more information before she started trying to ban a flag that is so close to many southern americans hearts.
I just moved from the North to Broward County Florida, so it is a big change since I am used to people voicing their opinions. I do not dissagree with the use of the confederate flag outside of a school environment. Yes the confederate flag is a symbol of pride and respect to many but to many others it is a symbol of hate and aggression. Though it is not fair to pinpoint a definition to what this flag may mean to a broad spectrum of people it is a violation of the dress code in blatant terms. Anything that may support discrimination or which may be disruptive, defensive, or may affect a positive learning environment are not allowed. The confederate flag is not subjectively singled out but most definetly included in it.
I AM A STUDENT A TARPON SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL AND HANG WITH THOSE GUYS. WE ARE NOT ABOUT BEING RECIST ITS HOW OTHER PEOPLE PERSEIVE US. WE JUST LIKE TO HANG OUT AND HAVE A GOOD TIME. ALOT OF THE TROUBLE STARTS WHEN OTHER PEOPLE COME UP TO US AND SAY STUFF WE RARELY START STUFF.
I would just like to thank everyone who posted a comment whether you support me or not, I appreciate the fact that u took the time to voice your opinion just as I did. And I do fully understand the different perspectives and views on the situation, although I still do and always will stick firmly to my beliefs. Regardless of any assumptions or interpretations of the rebel flag, it still clearly violates the code of student conduct’s dress code, therefore should have never been permitted in our schools! Thank you, Sincerly, Krista Abram
I agree with this. I find the Confederate flags and the slogans on the shirt very offensive. The Dress Code prohibits certain things because they’re “gang symbols” but the people who wear confederate flags can always wear the same thing: confederate flag shirt, blue jeans, boots, and camo every once in awhile. I find it very prejudice that they should be allowed. If i had known about the petition, i would have signed it. Being from New Jersey myself, i’m apalled at this school’s conduct. It seems very laid back and nothing is enforced. They should start setting down rules before something really bad happens. I support you.
To the person from New Jersey who posted, Im assuming your from North Joisey, the liberal belt, cause in south jersey, especially cape may and cumberland counties the rebel flag is flying proudly everywhere. The lower part of south jersey is below the mason dixon line. To all the losers who protest the rebel flag GET A FREAKEN LIFE!!!!!!!!!!! Your energy would be better spent on real issues with real consequences like unemployment, diseases and education. Slavery was legal under the American flag for 85 years and there were slaves in the north too. My ancestors did not own slaves and over 90% of southerners DID NOT own slaves. Learn your history. If you only go by school textbooks then you only know lies. It was the American flag that was waving when Native Americans were being persecuted for hundreds of years. So by your logic the American flag should be the most racist flag in the world. Lincoln, Grant and Sherman were racists while Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson were model citizens. The secretary of state of the confederacy Judah Benjamin was a Jew and the only Indian to be a General in the Civil War was the Confederate Cherokee Stand Watie. NOBODY who is against the rebel flag knows jack about history. I’m very proud to be both an American and a southerner, originally from Fredericksburg, Virginia. Its our heritage and it aint coming down!!!!!!!! GOD BLESS DIXIE!!!!!!!!
One of the minor things never mentioned about this girl is that she attended school only about one day each week and spent that walking all over campus. For her to say anything against this school is stupid, she was never really a student there.
First of all I would just like to say that you have already cheapened your opinion just by stating the fact that it was a minor detail to the big picture. I don’t know who you are and due to your premature comments, I honestly don’t care. But I would like to inform you that although my attendence records are absolutely none of your business, I attended school every day unless I was sick or had a previous engagement such as a Doctor’s appoinment. And to be honest my attendence really has nothing to do with the fact that the confederate flag is a symbol of racism. Student or not….anyone can see that. Unless of course they are blinded by the same ignorance you very evidently possess. The ignorance of racism. The planted seed of evil that has destroyed so much of our society and sadly continues to today. I just hope that some day people everywhere who possess the same immature views of the world and the cruel ignorance of racism can embrace the reality that we are equal. And there is nothing you will ever be able to do to change that! Now I don’t know about you, but I don’t think it’s possible for an uneducated person who only attended school once a week to compose a rebudle quite like that. Thank you for your comment…I appreciate the feed back and God bless you.
Sincerely, Krista Abram
And for those of you who want to continue preaching about history and the facts of slavery, please give it a rest. My protest was not against slavery or the civil war or any of your statistics. And although I have done my reaearch and I know my history, the bottom line in the whole matter is that the symbol and phrases that went along with it, clearly violate the school’s student code of conduct. That’s it…what is so difficult to understand about that? No matter what twist or spin you put on it, there is still no way to deny it’s blantant violation of the dress code. Why is a student who displays “Black Power” or one who wears clothing that promotes tobacco or profanity forced to change or suffer the consequences? But it is tolerated for all the self proclaimed rednecks to wear T-shirts that read, “Ditch the bitch and let’s go muddin’?” Or “Sippin’ and dippin’” with a damn bottle of whiskey and chewing tobacco underneath. That’s profanity and promotion of alcohol and tobacco…not permitted in school. So the bottom line is, I don’t care if you are black, white, blue or pink, no student should be permitted to do things that others are not. And regardless if you agree that it is racist or not, there is no attorney in this world that could argue that it does not clearly violate the dress code. Does the administration at Tarpon High recognize that? No they don’t even notice, because they’re too busy making sure that all the kids that sag their pants or wear a bandana aren’t trying to bring their “gang related styles” into their precious school. Oh and by the way, to mister Roy AKA “GOD BLESS DIXIE”, you live in the United States of America, not “Dixie.” GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!
Sincerely, Krista Abram
HAHAHAHAHA Good job sweetie…U tell them… It doesnt matter wat these closeminded people think.. Everyone that knows u and loves u knows that u were right in doin wat u did. But we all know that all TSHS was tryin to do was keep the school from gettin any bad “publicity”. They all knew that u were right and that they were violating the dress code…. They just don’t want there precious school to get a “bad rap”. I want u to kno i love u and support u 100%.
Oh my god I totally agree with Roy! Krista really needs to get a life and shut up, and for Tiffany - if you think I’m closeminded just cause I’m from the South than you need to get a life just like your friend Krista. As Roy says “GOD BLESS DIXIE”!!! Roy I support you all the way!
“Like oh my god, you just like totally need to like get a life and just like shut up!” I considered responding to this comment…or at least it was supposed to be a comment…but it pretty much speaks for itself. So I’m not even going to insult my own intelligence by responding to this poorly composed, sorry excuse for an opinion. And as for Chelsea, I just hope for your sake, that you are able to grow as a person and properly develop your social communication skills…hopefully sooner than later! I’d also like to thank you for your two cents…litterally it was like really like 2 sentences, like oh my god! It brought some much needed entertainment to my internet experience today! Thank you, Sincerely, Krista Abram
All the people that are against the confederate flag need to shut the f*** up, seriously. Almost everybody does not mean racism when they wear it or something. Big deal if we are red neck or some crap like that. It was a freakin white man who abolished slavery. And that was almost 200 years ago. How long does it take to get your freakin act together. They act like we still owe them or something. WE DONT OWE THEM A FUCKING THING!!!!! They just need to go right ahead and pick the cotton out of our yards so it gives them something to do so they will shut the hell up about stuff.
I would just like to address our friend Justin’s comment and just point out the poor coordination of what I’m assuming was meant to be his opinion. Taking a stand or a view on a situation or topic is one thing, but being able to express and explain your reasoning for feeling a certain way is something completely different. Using profanity, insulting those who feel differently, and practicing bad verbal or writing skills only shows your lack of intelligence and knowledge for what you claim to believe in. Saying things like “freakin”, “some crap”, “stuff”, “or words like “f*ck”, not only demonstrates your lack of intelligence but also proves that people like you should not voice their opinion, if you cannot do so in an acceptable manner. And as for a white man abolishing slavery, I say who gives a fuck?! Beacause regardless of who abolished slavery, there are still degenerate white men like you that would compose such a comment and actually believe that it holds some value. And I speak for myself as well as many of my supporters when I say that maybe you too should try picking some cotton, because apparently you need to find a useful activity that does not involve spaeking or writing, which are not at all either one of your strong suits. But nevertheless thank you for your ridiculous attempt to make a point and I commend you on your ability to stand behind “some crap like that” to quote your eloquent wording. Thank you, Sincerely, Krista Abram
Also I’d like to say to Justin and anyone else who feels as he does that “we” never said that “you” owe us a damn thing but you do owe it to yourself to at least be able to form an opinion using proper grammar and vocabulary and basically not making yourself sound like a racist asshole….even if that’s what you may be. Thank you, Sincerely, Krista Abram