Reader Email - The University of California-Irvine Just Banned The American Flag From Campus

Reader Email

Hey kmarko I know you love talking about the pussification of colleges and losers who get offended by stuff, well have I got a story for you. Check out what the UC Irvine student govt just passed. It’s up on their Facebook page and people are going nuts. If your head explodes don’t blame me.

Viva,

Jeff

REQUEST FOR ACTION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Item Number: 81 Legislation Number (B: Bill, R: Resolution): R50-70
Author: Matthew Guevara Second: Khaalidah Sidney
Synopsis: Flags and decoration adjustment for inclusivity
Date of Presentation: March 3rd, 2015

Whereas flags are a symbol of a nation, are used as decorations and have a wide range of cultural significance.

Whereas flags are typically viewed as patriotic symbols of a single nation, are often associated with government and military due to their history and have a wide variety of interpretations.

Whereas the traditional patriotic interpretation of a flag is a result of a nation and/or persons who encourage a nationalistic understanding of the flag.

Whereas traditional understandings and ideologies, as encouraged by the national government, include liberty, democracy, constitution values and are up for interpretation on constituents.

Whereas 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.

Whereas flags function specifically for a nation and

Whereas people are assimilated into national ideologies by deployment of this cultural artifact.

Whereas flags construct paradigms of conformity and sets homogenized standards for others to obtain which in this country typically are idolized as freedom, equality, and democracy.

Whereas symbolism is interpreted differently by different groups or persons based on individual unique experiences.

Whereas a common ideological understanding of the United states includes American exceptionalism and superiority.

Whereas the American flag is commonly flown in government public service locations, military related entities, at homes, in foreign lands where the US government has a presence.

Whereas the American flag has been flown in instances of colonialism and imperialism.

Whereas symbolism has negative and positive aspects that are interpreted differently by individuals.

Whereas displaying a flag does not express only selective aspects of its symbolism but the entire spectrum of its interpretation.

Whereas designing a culturally inclusive space is taken seriously by ASUCI

Whereas 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 confidently.

Whereas the removal of barriers is the best option at promoting an inclusive space.

Whereas it is a psychological effect for individuals to identify negative aspects of a space rather than positive ones.

Whereas whenever public spaces are produced and managed by narrow interests, they are bound to become exclusive places and

Whereas the planning process must be inclusive in such that designers are advised to forget about the ‘average’ user or themselves and instead begin the open space designing process with ‘deep knowledge’ of the preferences of the actual communities who are likely to use those spaces

Whereas designers should be careful about using cultural symbols as the symbols will inherently remain open for interpretation.

Whereas once an open space is created, it is important to employ continual evaluation in order to understand changing use patterns and needs over time.

Whereas a high-quality culturally inclusive spaces is essential in any society that embodies a dynamic and multifaceted culture

Whereas freedom of speech is a valued right that ASUCI supports.

Whereas freedom of speech, in a space that aims to be as inclusive as possible can be interpreted as hate speech.

Let it be resolved that ASUCI make every effort to make the Associated Students main lobby space as inclusive as possible.

Let it further be resolved that no flag, of any nation, may be hanged on the walls of the Associate Student main lobby space.

Let it be further be resolved that if a decorative item is in the Associate student lobby space and issues arise, the solution will be to remove the item if there is considerable request to do so.

Referred to: Committee on:
Vote Required: Majority FINAL VOTE: Waiting Approval YEA: 6 NAY: 4 ABS: 2

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFONIA, IRVINE ON THE DATE OF March 5th, 2015 HAS TAKEN ACTION ON THIS LEGISLATION.

[Link]

Well this is it folks.  This is the one that finally makes me quit life I think.  A college campus, in America, banning the American flag, because it’s a “weapon for nationalism” and it “constructs cultural mythologies” of freedom equality and democracy.  Because some people associate the flag with “exceptionalism and superiority.”  Those are real words written by real students at a real American college.  A college full of 30,000 students enjoying all the freedoms and opportunities America has to offer them.    A college that last I checked was funded by the California government through American tax dollars with mountains of student loans that are guaranteed by the American government and which receives boatloads of federal student aid, but I digress.  Didn’t log on this morning to get into some sort of long drawn out educational debate or anything.  Just wanted to chime in real quick and go on record to let UC Irvine know I’m officially telling them to fuck themselves.  Like, take a big step back, and literally fuck their own face.  That’s it, now I can go back to living my life and convince myself this story was all just a bad dream.

This dude though, he can play for my team any day.

PS – This is what’s directly below the post about the flag on the Facebook page, thought that was fitting.