50 stars, 13 stripes, red, white and blue. The flag of the United States of America. You can almost hear the screeching eagle and the melody of the star spangled banner in the background.
Since independence, the iconic design has been placed everywhere, including both private and public places. The US flag is meant to represent the ideals the country was founded on.
Most schools just have the U.S flag fluttering in the air on a pole; Baruch, however, is a building surrounded by other buildings–making it impossible to erect such a thing.
“I was surprised at the lack of flags in this school,” said senior Uddeshya Agrawal, who’s from India. He said that, back in India, schools would bring out the Indian flag twice for their pledge of allegiance “only on two national days, including a flag hoisting ceremony.”
“Baruch definitely stands out,” he said.
Henry Harris, a senior at Baruch, had his early childhood education in Florida.He noticed a contrast between Baruch and his elementary school in the south. “Pretty much every classroom in my elementary school had an American flag,” he said.
Harris believes the reason for no US flag in this school is, because the school is diverse, not all kids really identify exclusively as American.
“[Students here] are American citizens, but not everyone is fully American,” said Harris. “It doesn’t represent the people here.”
So what is going on? Is this school not patriotic?
John Jacobs–who teaches 11th and 12th grade US history and US government–believes the first amendment holds true.
“If you want to sit on the flag, great, if you want to wear it like a dress, more power to you,” Jacobs said.
He said he shows his appreciation for the United States by “spending money in this economy” and cooking food on the 4th of July. Even if he does not want to place the flag in his classroom, he is by no means unpatriotic.
“I can’t think of a place in this school where there is a recognizable American flag,” said Vice Principal Dianna DiRico, who also said she wouldn’t be opposed to having one on the wall.
Students like Harris also wouldn’t exactly be against it; he does think that, if the flag is put up, many other countries’ banners should also be shown.
