“Controversial Classroom Incident: Teacher Removes American Flag, Encourages Students to Pledge to Another Flag”
California Teacher Removed Amid Controversy Over Allegiance to Pride Flag
Kristin Pitzen, an 11th-grade English teacher at Back Bay High School in Costa Mesa, Orange County, California, has been removed from her classroom pending an ongoing investigation by the Newport Mesa Unified School District. This follows her posting a video on social media instructing students to pledge allegiance to a Progress Pride flag instead of the American flag. The school district spokesperson, Annette Franco, emphasized the importance of respecting the nation’s flag and stated that due process is being followed during the investigation.
The original incident, posted on TikTok, gained attention on 8/30/21, where Pitzen revealed she had removed the American flag from her classroom during the COVID pandemic because it made her uncomfortable. In the video, she explained to students that, in the absence of the American flag, they could pledge allegiance to a Progress Pride flag hanging on the wall.
Conservative backlash ensued, with criticism from public figures like Richard Grenell, former director of national intelligence, expressing his dismay on Twitter. The school district acknowledged the incident on Facebook, asserting their commitment to instilling respect for the nation’s flag and assuring a thorough investigation.
While negative reactions dominated, some voices supported Pitzen, emphasizing the freedom to choose allegiance and challenging compelled patriotism. The incident highlights ongoing debates about the role of personal beliefs in the classroom and the balance between individual expression and institutional expectations.”
