A high school in Washington state canceled a planned tribute to victims of the September 11th attacks over supposed concerns U.S. flag colors might “cause offense,” according to reports.
Student leadership at Eastlake High School in Sammamish were promoting a Patriot Day theme for a football game against Rainier Beach High School last week.
Attendees were encouraged to wear red, white, and blue clothing to the game, which was scheduled for Friday, September 10th.
However, administrators at Eastlake reportedly killed the idea hours before the match, notifying students of the decision during school announcements on Friday morning.
“At this point, I was fairly upset and confused as to why the theme was changed so I went around asking students in our leadership,” a student told local radio host Jason Rantz.
“They had explained that red, white, and blue was going to be seen as racially insensitive and may affect people in a way that we will not understand and for that reason that we were to change our theme.”
School Principal Chris Bede confirmed the motivating factor in a response to an email from a “stunned” mother.
“Our leadership teachers made this decision and explained it to students,” Bede reportedly told her.
“I know tomorrow is 9/11 and understand the sacrifice and values our flag represents, but I think they just did not want to unintentionally cause offense to some who see it differently.”
Eastlake Associate Principal Darcie Breynaert offered a similar reply to another parent, who provided Rantz with a screenshot of the email.
Parents and students have voiced their outrage, with some speculating that racial demographics of the opposing team may have influenced the move.
“The leadership and equity team decided that since it was against a predominantly Black team they did not want to ‘unintentionally cause offense to some who see (our flag) differently,’” one Facebook user reportedly wrote on a page for school parents.
District communications director Shannon Parthemer placed the blame for the decision on an ‘unnamed staff member,’ saying, “We have followed up with the staff member on decision making processes.”
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