Controversy surrounding an eastern Kentucky high schools use of the Confederate flag and rebel mascot has sparked debate in one local classroom.
Frankfort High School teacher Karen Hatter introduced her sophomore English classes to an Associated Press story in the Dec. 10 State Journal, headlined "Rebel flag not racist, Kentucky students say."
Hatter says the story outlining the use of the Confederate flag and rebel mascot by students at Allen Central High School in Floyd County was a perfect way to get her students thinking about discrimination.
"We talked pretty much at length about discrimination and what the Confederate flag means," Hatter said.
She divided students into two groups. Half wrote to Tiffany Owens, a senior at all-white Allen Central, while the other half wrote to Ted Honaker, a black student at Pikeville High School about 25 miles away from Allen Central. Owens and Honaker were quoted in the AP story.
The assignment urged students to explain their feelings about the schools mascot using references from the AP story.
Hatter said students drafted the letter three times. She said she recommended students write the letters as respectfully as possible. The letters to Owens and Honaker, about 80 of them, were mailed Tuesday.
Rachel Williams said she was in favor of removing the flag from Allen Central.
"They should ban the flag from anything at the school," Williams said. "To me the flag represents a symbol of racism."
Shellee Hayden said Allen Central students cited in the story fully understand the connotation given to the Confederate flag.
"The people they interviewed know what it means and now theyre protecting it," Hayden said. "I dont agree with how theyre showing it everywhere because its offensive."
During class discussion Tuesday of the letters, students spoke passionately about their views of Allen Centrals "school spirit."
"Its not right," Taylor Graham said. "The Confederate flag is not talking about Southern pride, it has a completely different meaning to it."
Some students expressed disdain for Allen Central students justification of use of the Confederate flag and rebel mascot.
"They were trying to hide their racist views," Kyle Roten said. "Everything they said contradicted."
Avery Wigglesworth said she thinks Allen Central students fighting in favor of the flag are learning an important lesson.
"I think it teaches kids to go against the norm and not be afraid to be controversial," she said. "The way theyre using it is not meant to be racist."
Hatter said students were able to put the issue in perspective in their letters to Owens and Honaker.
"You have to see both sides of it," Emmaleigh Barnes said. "It is a big deal to people who see it offensively."
Kassie Hellard said she sees first hand the viewpoints of the issue.
"Im biracial," Hellard said. "I see both sides, I live both sides."
Hellard said no matter how much pride the Confederate symbol brings to students at Allen Central, its still a symbol many find insulting and hateful.
"If its offensive, it shouldnt be in public schools," Hellard said.
Karmen Morton said removing the symbol and changing views regarding racism is difficult.
"People reject the unfamiliar and people fear change," Morton said.
She said FHS is not the only school to take action in the controversy surrounding Allen Centrals use of the Confederate flag. At least one school threatened to boycott athletic competition against Allen Central.
Butch Crope, director of promotions and media relations for the Kentucky High School Athletics Association, said the association did not wish to comment on the situation at Allen Central.
Former KHSAA Commissioner Louis Stout said he is against displaying the Confederate flag at public high schools.
"It amazes me that that flag is still being represented in that fashion at the high school level," Stout said.
Stout said public places such as schools are no place to display offensive symbols.
"To me it sends the wrong vibe," he said. "It surprises me the school board would allow it."
According to Lisa Gross, communications coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Education, it is up to individual school districts to decide when to remove mascots and symbols.
The Kentucky Board of Education issued a resolution on school symbols and mascots in 5 encouraging schools to review their decisions to ensure groups are not offended, Gross said in an e-mail.
Floyd County Schools Superintendent Paul Fanning said he is prepared to discuss the issue before the board.
"Well submit it to the board and go from there," he said.
Fanning said he doesnt recall questions surrounding the rebel mascot, which was adopted in the 0s, until recently. He added the public will have the opportunity to comment on the rebel mascot and Confederate flag issues at the boards Jan. 22 meeting.
"I dont see them (the board) making any quick decisions," Fanning said.
Hatter said she hopes her students continue to articulate their opinions and think about issues in society. She said her class would explore discrimination in future projects as part of an online "Stand Up! Speak Out! Make a Difference!" program the sophomore class is participating in.
"The main thing is communication," she said. "How to communicate a response to a volatile issue."