In an attempt to make their school more “culturally inclusive,” the students of the University of California have voted to ban the use of the American flag on their campus.
“Designing a culturally inclusive space aims to remove barriers that create undue effort and separation by planning and designing spaces that enable everyone to participate equally and confidentially,” states a resolution written by Matthew Guevara, who wrote on the behalf of the Associated Students of University of California (ASUCI).
The student’s vote will remove the American flag along with every other type of flag that hangs within the halls of their lobby and housing offices. The vote went over 6-4 with 2 people not contributing to the vote at all, and many are criticizing those who voted to remove the flags from the school grounds.
Guevara shrugs at those who believe the ASUCI’s actions are un-American stating, “The American flag has been flown in instances of colonialism and imperialism. Flags not only serve as symbols of patriotism or weapons for nationalism, but also construct cultural mythologies and narratives that in turn charge nationalistic sentiments.”
Not all members of the ASUCI agreed with the consensus, including Reza Zomorrodian, the ASUCI President, who stated, “It’s an attack on American values. A lot of people want to come to the United States for a reason it’s because of the freedoms we have.”
The flag is currently in the possession of the Vice President of the school’s office where it’s folded and stashed away from those who want to harm it. Zomorrodian stated, that the flag has been taken down several times and removed, and he has had to keep putting it back up after the perpetrators removed it without proper consent.
Photo By: KEN STEINHARDT, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
