Don’t Kick High School Players Off the Field for Peaceful Demonstration

The football coach of Houston’s Victory & Praise Christian Academy kicked two players off the field and out of the game for demonstrating during the national anthem last Friday. Yes, of course, Coach Ronnie Mitchem has every right to set rules and enforce them, and the Supreme Court has limited the rights of children to free speech. But we think a better approach is to trust kids to take part in a national debate. Let the teenagers demonstrate peacefully, let them grapple with the difficult issues of race and protest and showing respect for their country. And then let them take responsibility for the reactions of their peers, positive or negative. Coach Mitchem showed the boys the consequences of breaking rules, but he missed a broader teaching moment.This brief is part of the Did Y'all Hear About This? collection of hits and misses from around Texas, updated each week.What's your view?Got an opinion about this issue? Send a letter to the editor, and you just might get published.  Continue reading...