North Orange County Community College District Board of
Trustees
1830 W. Romneya Drive
Anaheim, CA 92801-1819
Dear Trustees,
I write this letter with a deep sense of concern and
disappointment regarding resolution No. 23/24-02, which proposes
to ban most flags including the Progressive Pride Flag. While the
intention may be framed as one of neutrality, it is evident that
this resolution is far from neutral; rather, it carries the
potential to foster division, hinder knowledge dissemination, and
exacerbate hatred and violence.
The Progressive Pride Flag holds immense significance as a symbol
of safety and acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community. Throughout
history, LGBTQ+ individuals faced severe discrimination, with
laws prohibiting their congregating, self-expression, and pursuit
of love.
Tragically, instead of empathy and support, they encountered
ridicule and neglect in the face of a deadly disease. Even today,
many parts of our country lack adequate legal protections against
workplace and community discrimination for LGBTQ+
individuals.
The Pride Flag emerged in 1978 as a response to this overt and
institutionalized oppression. It stands as a testament to
significant milestones in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, such as the
Stonewall uprising in 1969, the first Pride Parade in 1970, the
declassification of homosexuality as a mental illness by the
American Psychological Association in 1973, the Supreme Court’s
landmark decision in Lawrance v Texas in 2003, and the historic
victory for marriage equality in Obergefell v. Hodges in
2015.
The Pride Flag symbolizes struggle, hope, and celebration, and it
encapsulates the history of these momentous events.
I urge you to recognize that the Pride Flag is not a symbol of
partisanship, as LGBTQ+ individuals belong to diverse political
affiliations. It is not a symbol of controversy, as the district
prides itself on being inclusive and diverse. It is not a symbol
of radicalism since the rights it represents are established law
in our nation. Moreover, the Progressive Pride Flag is inclusive
of all races, making it in no way a symbol of racism. Thus, the
concerns raised in the resolution about divisive symbols being
introduced through this flag are unfounded.
Furthermore, allowing the Pride Flag to be flown does not open
the door to distasteful
symbols, as suggested in the slippery slope argument presented in
the resolution.
On the contrary, the Pride Flag represents an important aspect of
culture and history, subjects that are taught and discussed
within your district. Banning the flag would not only stifle
discussion but also impede the learning and understanding of this
vital part of our shared history.
It is essential to note that flags are not the sole
representations of culture and history present in your district;
statues, building names, and other symbols also embody various
events and cultures throughout your campuses. Before passing a
resolution to ban a specific flag, it is only fair to conduct an
inventory of all symbols on campus and ensure consistency in
decision-making.
Setting that inventory aside, banning the Progressive Pride Flag
sends a message of oppression and undermines the safe and
inclusive environment that you strive to provide for your
students, staff, and community. Such an action can be likened to
hate speech, perpetuating harm rather than fostering an
environment of support and growth. This in turn would have fewer
students wanting to enroll in your district, contrary to the
author’s stated rationale.
Therefore, I urge you to vote against this resolution and instead
promote an environment that embraces diversity, inclusivity, and
the celebration of history and culture. This district should be
flying more flags and symbols of the communities and students
they serve, not fewer.
Let us stand together in solidarity, demonstrating our commitment
to providing an atmosphere of acceptance and respect for all.
Sincerely,
Jeffery M Freitas, President
CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified
Professionals
cc: Seija Rohkea, President Adjunct Faculty United