2. Why were four Live Oak High School students sent home for wearing American flag t-shirts on Cinco de Mayo?

3. How did Mexican students view their classmates' wearing of American flag t-shirts on Cinco de Mayo?

4. How did the students who wore the t-shirts react to being sent home for wearing American flag apparel?

5. How do you know the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of schools agreed with the boys wearing the t-shirts?

6. Think about the controversy caused by this event. What do you think the students' intention was for displaying the American flag on Cinco de Mayo? Explain your answer.
-to express their patriotism and love of country
-to stand up for America
-to start a fight with Mexican students
-to express their frustration over the Mexican students' lack of appreciation of the U.S.
-to discriminate against Mexican-Americans
-to disrespect Mexicans

7. According to an NBC video posted in the USA Today article "Tenions High..."

Approximately 200 students walked out of class yesterday and marched to City Hall to protest the wearing of the American Flag in school on Cinco de Mayo.
[Mexican-American students explained their protest by saying:]
"it was our holiday - all of the Americans thought that they could wear their flags and just flaunt them in front of us"
and
"this is MY culture, this is MY family, this is MY race"
When they returned to school later, administrators ...escorted the students to a lecture hall to hear more about why the students felt compelled to take their protest to the streets.

Schools in the U.S. focus on teaching students to celebrate multiculturalism and diversity. Do you think your local school does a good job teaching students what it means to be an American? or to be a patriotic American? Explain your answer.

8. For each comment, write whether you agree or disagree and explain each answer.

• Gilroy Dispatch reader Sharon wrote:
  "I just really don't understand why these ... students expected everyone to acknowledge and celebrate their holiday. America is a melting pot with people from all over the world who now consider themselves to be AMERICAN. I understand that California has a unique situation in that there are more Hispanics in that state than almost any other here but if Cinco de Mayo is to be celebrated in our schools then I can think of many other nations holidays that we must acknowledge as well."
• A USA Today reader comments:
  "If I am in Mexico on the 4th of July - should I demand that Mexicans not display the Mexican flag?"
• Another USA Today reader comments:
  "A U.S. citizen wearing a U.S. Flag tee shirt in the U.S. should not be a problem. Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday. When [President] Obama grants illegal aliens amnesty, then the former illegals can demand that Obama make Cinco de Mayo a holiday here as well."