Small Town Ignites Big Debate

WRITTEN BY

Molly Hale

ILLUSTRATIONS BY

Stefany Belasic

How the Chardon High School football team sparked controversy among students, alumni and community members

On Friday, August 28, the Chardon as the majority, while law enforcement has always High School football team ran onto been acknowledged with respect. the field for their pre-game display In the wake of George Floyd’s murder and the with a Thin Blue Line flag. They deamplification of the Black Lives Matter movement, cided to fly the flag in support of one the Thin Blue Line flag has been flown in opposition of their coaches who works in law enforcement. This to Black Lives Matter, notably at “Blue Lives Matter” sparked outrage among students, alumni and comprotests and alongside Confederate flags, which are munity members who felt that this action representcommonly used by white supremacist groups. This ed views that they do not stand behind. Many spoke serves as a slap in the face to those that are fighting out on social media or sent emails to the Chardon adagainst police brutality, which is disproportionately ministration asking that a statement be made about high among the Black population. In flying the Thin the situation. Blue Line flag, a person turns their back on the history

Three days later, the Chardon superintendent, Dr. of systemic racism that America was built upon. Michael Hanlon, published a letter stating that the By flying the Thin Blue Line flag, Chardon High administration was unaware of the pre-game plans. He School football aligned themselves with anti-Black also said that “school district policy does not permit Lives Matter groups and made a political statement, engagement in political activity.” Hanlon went on to whether they intended to or not. Because the high say that the flag would not be part of future events school football team is one of the things Chardon is because the school district understands how the most well-known for, the pre-game display made a display can be interpreted as politically motivated. political statement for the entire town, which seems This statement sparked its own outrage among to be what created such an intense response from students, alumni and community members who feel those that did not agree with the display. the Thin Blue Line flag is not a political statement. People that believed the team did not understand the

While the creator of the Thin Blue Line flag has political statement they were making explained how stated that it originated solely in support of law the display could be interpreted as racially motivated. enforcement, the flag became popularized by the Those that also did not want to be spoken for by a “Blue Lives Matter” countermovement created in pre-game display asked the administration to make response to Black Lives Matter and the belief that a statement and work toward positive change in the Black Lives Matter is anti-police. future.

When the “Blue Lives Matter” movement was One thing that opponents of the display emphasize created, its main goal was to have the killing of a is that the support of law enforcement is not what police officer categorized as a hate crime, which creates such an intense reaction, but rather the way has been successful in Louisiana and considered by the Chardon High School football team chose to show a handful of other states. Many believe this to have their support. Black Lives Matter supporters are not harmful consequences, as the term “hate crime” is anti-police, they are anti-police brutality. Supporting generally reserved for crimes motivated by factors law enforcement is welcome, but choosing to show such as race, religion, sexual orientation or gender. support with a flag that has become a symbol of

A prominent argument against categorizing the offensive groups is not. killing of a police officer as a hate crime includes the When showing support for law enforcement officers, fact that one’s job can never hold the same significance look to do it in ways that are not associated with as one’s race, religion, sexual orientation or gender. discriminatory views. Great ways to show support This is because a police officer can remove their are moments of silence, thank you letters or gift uniform to escape criticism, but a person can never baskets. If you are unsure how your display of support remove one of their permanent characteristics, such for someone will be received, look into its history to as race. Another prominent argument is that members make sure it isn’t harming someone else. of minority groups have always had an uphill battle when fighting for the same rights and general respect