This week, a middle schooler in Colorado Springs decided to don his Don’t Tread on Me patch smack dab on his backpack. This middle schooler, Jaiden Rodriguez, was spotted by a teacher who anonymously reported him and his backpack. Then, of course, the administration got involved and tried to explain to him and his mom that his Don’t Tread on Me patch actually represents slavery.
The mom went in to meet with the administrator, who began with: “The reason that they do not want the flag — we do not want the flag — is due to its origins with slavery and the slave trade.” When Jaiden’s mom asked what is going to happen if he doesn’t take the badge off, the administrator responded: “I just want him to go back to class. The bag can’t go back. It’s got the badge on it. We can’t have that in and around other kids.” What this administrator did not know was that Jaiden’s mother had done her research. She explained that the Gadsden flag had nothing to do with slavery and remarked that perhaps they were thinking of the confederate flag. The administrator said, “I am here to enforce the policy that was provided by the district.” Jaiden’s mom went on to say she had checked the ACLU’s website to find that they were just fine with wearing, waving, or flying the flag. Apparently, this school district knew more than the ACLU though, because they continued to refer to the “district policy” — and they were just enforcing the policy.
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