I came across a video that made the news talking about how a high school student was told my multiple staff members at his school to take off the American flag he had flying on the back of his truck. There was a large debate about why the teachers were so demanding to take the flag down, followed by real talk: was this a rule in the handbook? The student couldn’t believe the backlash he received for taking pride in hanging the flag. He decided to take his own measures by reading thru the entirety of the student handbook and said there was not a single word with “flag” written in the book.

The best part was that the student received many phone calls as he was leaving class one day, only to look up and see that least 20 or more cars with American flags flying on their vehicles. Many other students noticed the issue and decided to work in numbers to prove their point and to make their love for America known. The conclusion of the video ended in the teachers backing off and giving up their frustrations. This concept is tied to the American Dream in multiple ways due to the fact hate and conflict are prominent, but it takes strength in numbers to “unite as one nation under God.”

I’ve seen similar videos that had a student wear a Trump shirt to school and the school sent the student home and called their parents. I think of the First Amendment in the freedom of speech. The way I see it, it is okay to have opposing believes and opinions, yet it is about how Americans treat one another. Sometimes it is easiest to just allow things be as they are and keep to yourself. I feel strongly that there is a time and a place to express concerns or protest things for serious matters, especially if people are at risk. Yet in these cases, I say let’s take some pride in our flag and raise them up!