CHS ‘Hall of Flags’ needs to be reconsidered

Dear Editor:

I read in the Canton Citizen recently that a student group was planning to add some new flags to the display in the Canton High School lobby. I am deeply concerned about this and am hoping the “Hall of Flags” can be properly vetted and reconsidered.

I am curious how this display first came about and its purpose. I do not recall any discussion of this in the town prior to the display going up. I can speak to my own family, whose ancestors came from another country and who fought for this country. They left that country for a better life and proudly became U.S. citizens. I dare say others did the same. My neighbors left their native country and had to renounce their citizenship before being allowed out. We became proud Americans.

We can all appreciate when schools have events or projects focused on our different ancestries. However, this display has no place being in a town building on a permanent status. This display further divides us when we should stand united instead. This is Canton High, not United Nations High. I do not think these other countries are paying to support our schools.

Some of our country’s founding fathers gathered in town to form the basis of this country. I think they would be appalled to see this display. I remember when there was a tribute in the school lobby that included an American flag given by the family of a Canton High graduate who served his country after 9/11. Is the country he served in and others who have attacked the United States now on display? This is an atrocity and I urge school officials to reconsider this “Hall of Flags” in the main lobby of our town high school.

As for the pride flag also set to be included in this “Hall of Flags,” this is not a flag of a country first, and there are rules for placement of such flags. Secondly, it has no place being hung anywhere on town property without discussion. It is a public high school used for many town purposes, including town meetings. I understand a newly formed student group is focused on celebrating diversity. However, we cannot promote one group over another for it divides us all. Student groups come and go and a town public building is not the place to promote any one agenda unless is it voted and agreed on by the town.

As a taxpayer, I hope my tax dollars were not used in these endeavors and I recommend this “Hall of Flags” be opened up for town-wide discussion as it is hung in a town building in these United States of America. Let’s replace the current display and have one large American flag hanging under which we can all stand united.

Sincerely,
Marie McHugh

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