The South Idaho Press reports today that Lee Family Broadcasting apologized to parents of Minico High School for a series of incidents over the past two weeks.
The statement ran on all of Lee Family’s stations Friday, and was issued by Kim Lee. KFTA host Ben Reed encouraged students to protest after a teacher threw away a Mexican flag at Minico High earlier this month. The situation escalated with counter-protests, and the arrest of a student for threatening violence at the school.
“Even though the remarks made on KFTA were the wrong choice, the radio station provides a voice for the Latino population of this area,” the apology reads.
The apology concluded with this, according to SIP:
“To display another nation’s flag in the home in respect for one’s ancestors should not be of concern to anyone, but when it comes to public display at parades, schools, public offices, etc. there should be only one ’Old Glory’!!”
on May 19th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I have an Hispanic friend who claims he never heard the apology aired on KFTA. It is also ironic that Mr. Lee says “Old Glory” should be the only flag displayed when the KFTA remote van is painted like the Mexican flag. You can see it from blocks away. :
on May 24th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Some apology.
“To display another nation’s flag in the home in respect for one’s ancestors should not be of concern to anyone, but when it comes to public display at parades, schools, public offices, etc. there should be only one ’Old Glory’!!”
So Lee Family Broadcasting thinks it’s improper for Mexican-Americans to display a Mexican flag in public. In other words, “We may be sorry, but it’s still your fault, students. You started it by showing public pride in your heritage. You should only be proud of your heritage at home, behind closed doors.”
Will Lee be similarly upset when Italian-Americans wave their flag on Columbus Day, Irish-Americans wave their flag on St. Patrick’s Day, or British-Americans wave their flag on…uh…the Queen’s Birthday? Or is it only “Mexicans” who need to hide their flag?
Maybe the Lee Family should take some time off from waving “Old Glory” and spend it reading the First Amendment instead.