CHS student responds to ‘hall of flags’ criticism

Dear Editor:

Last week I read a letter in the Canton Citizen in which someone stated that they wished to take down the hall of flags in the high school, and as an involved senior at Canton High School I feel my opinion should be heard.

To the author, Mary McHugh: I am proud of your family members’ service to our country and of my own family’s contributions as well. Their service protected our rights as citizens to exist freely as ourselves. Part of this existence for many is celebrating their cultural roots. And so Canton High celebrates with us through welcoming all people of all different cultures with a bouquet of flags at the front door. You say that the founding fathers would be appalled, but I disagree! Many of our famous founding fathers themselves were immigrants and so their flags from their birth countries hang in our hall. I also urge you to remember that an entire country did not attack us in 9/11 but rather a group of extremists from several countries, and your move to deem all foreign nations atrocious based on the actions of very few people is deeply upsetting.

Canton High is a school of many cultures. Since my family has been involved at the school we have hosted three students with “Up With People,” a Spanish exchange student, and five German exchange students. In as much time our school has also been welcomed into German students’ homes, the city of Belfast, and onto a South African nature reserve. Additionally, you complain about the addition of an LGBT pride flag. As an LGBT member of Canton High School I refuse to let you bully me and others out of representation. There is no place for hate at CHS and we proudly show that through our GSA displays and I think a flag in the hall of flags would be a fine addition. I think you could benefit from sitting in on one of our Gay Straight Alliance meetings or Junior State of America meetings so you could hear the opinions that really matter: the opinions of the students who attend CHS.

It is discouraging to see such close-mindedness and fear of people who are different from oneself, but the educated and open-hearted students at CHS give me hope. If there is to be a discussion on the hall of flags, know that I will be there along with many other students to assert that CHS should remain an open and inviting environment for all students to learn in.

Sincerely,

Margaret Polsgrove

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