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No official policy, but it has laws that provides non-English speaking students a right to acquire the English language and a fair education.

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4 hr ELD program implemented, not learning content.  AZELLA exam

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They identify a "mother tongue plus two foreign languages" for pragmatic purposes.

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Unlike other multicultural nations, the U.S consistently seeks to maintain English as the primary language.

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Recently, in Valdosta, Georgia on the campus of Valdosta State University there has been protest over the American flag. Eric Sheppard, which is known as a terrorist or activist for the Black Panther party, has especially been in the news for this. Eric Sheppard who proudly stepped all over an American flag said, "The meaning for the stepping on the flag was that flag represents white supremacy and racism which is plaguing the entire earth. So when we step on that flag we are stepping on racism and white supremacy, we are stepping on those things."

Eric Sheppard is wanted by law enforcement due to the fact he brought a gun in his backpack on the college campus during these protests. He is on the run and has yet to be captured. This has lead to many people across the country participating in what is called the "Eric Sheppard Challenge" in which an individual records themselves stomping all over the American flag and then posting it on social media. The day of the protest Eric Sheppard was recorded saying, "I indeed am a terrorist. I am a terrorist towards lies. I am a terrorist towards white people."

I am not sorry to be the one that says this, but you, Mr. Sheppard are not a terrorist, nor are an activist for any kind of rights. You are just a coward. You stepping on that flag (or any other participants in the Eric Sheppard challenge), are not stepping on the American flag due to racism or white supremacy, you are stepping on that flag because of ignorance.

That flag you are stepping on symbolizes America, land of the free and home of the brave. We live in the greatest place in the world. We live in a place where you can freely form any opinions or say anything you want to say with hardly any consequences. If you despise our country so strongly that you feel the need to step on the very piece of fabric that gives you the freedom to do as you want, then leave. I am sure you would come rushing back after a short time spent in a place like North Korea or Cuba, where you have no rights.

Our American flag represents a lot more than any words can explain. Our American flag represents the life of so many soldiers, sailors, and other military personnel that so bravely left their homes and loved ones to fight for this country. They fought and gave their lives for people to be able to freely say what they want and step on the American flag if their ignorant heart so desired. Maybe it is hard to understand for you but ask a person that has had a loved one never come home, or ask the widow that has been handed a folded up flag at her husband's funeral. That flag that represents racism and white supremacy to you, is the last thing some family members have of their loved ones. That flag to them represents the sacrifices that have been made, the danger they have put themselves through, and yet if you asked any person who has served, they would not take it back for anything.

In the wise words of Lee Greenwood, "I am proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free and I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me."

Fly that flag high and thank a veteran for the ability to fly that flag.

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Like most people, I turned 18 years old during the course of my senior year of high school. I'll never forget the months prior to my birthday, though, because I spent hours making a decision that would be with me forever, the decision of where I would go to get my first tattoo and where that tattoo would go, and of course I spent a lot of time deciding on the font, the colors, and all of the other aspects of the tattoo I wanted. Throughout this time, two things stood firm 1) the fact that I was going to get a tattoo, and 2) the six letter name that it would consist of.

Now, three years later, I'm 21 years old and I still get the occasional dirty look at church on Sunday or in line at Walmart, and more often than not this look is accompanied by the following words: "Why would you do that to your body when God says not to?" A few weeks ago at a new church, a woman came up to me and said, "How can you consider yourself a Christian when you have that blasphemous thing on your foot?", I simply smiled at her and said: "God bless you, have a good week." I let it roll off of my back, I've spent the past three years letting it "roll off of my back"... but I think it's time that I speak up.

When I was 8 years old, I lost my sister. She passed away, after suffering from Childhood Cancer for a great deal of my childhood. Growing up, she had always been my best friend, and going through life after she passed was hard because I felt like even though I knew she was with me, I didn't have something to visually tribute to her - a way to memorialize her. I, being a Christian and believing in Heaven, wanted to show my sister who was looking down on me that even though she was gone - she could still walk with me every day. I wanted it for me, for her. I wanted to have that connection, for her to always be a part of who I am on the outside - just as much as she is a part of who I am on the inside.

After getting my tattoo, I faced a lot of negativity. I would have Leviticus 19:28 thrown in my face more times than I cared to mention. I would be frowned on by various friends, and even some family. I was told a few times that markings on my body would send me to hell - that was my personal favorite.

You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks on you: I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:28

The more I heard these things, the more I wanted to scream. I didn't though. I didn't let the harsh things said about me and my choice change the love I have for the Lord, for my sister, or for the new precious memento on my left foot. I began to study my Bible more, and when I came to the verse that had been thrown in my face many times before - I came to a realization. Reading the verses surrounding verse 28, I realized that God was speaking to the covenant people of Israel. He was warning them to stay away from the religious ways of the people surrounding them. Verse 28 wasn't directed to what we, in today's society, see as tattoos - it was meant in the context of the cultic practice of marking one's self in the realm of cultic worship.

"You shall not eat anything with the blood, nor practice divination or soothsaying. You shall not round off the side-growth of your heads nor harm the edges of your beard. 'You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD. 'Do not profane your daughter by making her a harlot, so that the land will not fall to harlotry and the land become full of lewdness. 'You shall keep My sabbaths and revere My sanctuary; I am the LORD. 'Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God."
Leviticus 19:26-31

The more I have studied my Bible over the past few years, the more I pity those who rely on one verse in the Old Testament to judge and degrade those, like myself, who made the decision to get a tattoo for whatever reason they may have for doing so. This is because, you see, in the New Testament it is said that believers are not bound by the laws of the Old Testament - if we were, there would be no shellfish or pork on the menus of various Christian homes. While some see tattoos as a modification of God's creation, it could also be argued that pierced ears, haircuts, braces, or even fixing a cleft lip are no different.

Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor."
Galatians 3:24-25

In Galatians, we read that the Old Testament law was created to lead people to Jesus. However, we know that Jesus has come and died on the cross for our sins. He has saved us, therefore we are no longer held to this law in order to have a relationship with the Lord. Our relationship with Him comes from believing that Jesus came to Earth to die on a cross for our sins, and repenting of our sins - accepting Jesus as our Savior.

I am a Christian, I have a relationship with the Lord that is stronger than it has ever been, and - I HAVE A TATTOO.

I have a beautiful memento on my left foot that reminds me that my sister walks with me through every day of my life. She walked with me down the red carpet at my senior prom, she walked with me across the stage the day I graduated from high school, and she continues to be with me throughout every important moment of my life.

My tattoo is beautiful. My tattoo reminds me that I am never alone. My tattoo is perfect.

Stop judging me for it.

Cover Image Credit: Courtney Johnson

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Over a decade ago, Tarana Burke began what is now known today as the #MeToo Movement. As a campaign revolved around spreading awareness of the gravity of sexual offenses, #MeToo strives to encourage courage, confidence, and compassion to the survivors of sexual assault in our world.

By saying "Me, Too" survivors represent the mass scale which survivors can relate to each other by experiencing these traumatic moments of vulnerability and abuse. And while the focus of #MeToo righteously calls attention to the magnitude of sexual assault in our sex-crazed society, there are numerous imperfections and inconsistencies associated with the movement.

As a female college student, I have quickly learned how to adjust to a college environment where sexual assault is a serious issue that plagues many. Despite my Catholic college campus, I realize that sexual assault plays a large role on any college campus, And as a female, this unfortunate reality never leaves my mind whenever I step off campus or into a different atmosphere. As a result, I aim to always be mindful of myself and others in whatever situation I may be in.

#MeToo is the outreach for those who have been afflicted by any form of unwanted sexual advances. It encompasses a multitude of elements of sexual assault, ranging from sexual harassment and stalking to any form of abuse or rape. And for many females on college campuses, #MeToo serves as a safe place to reassure victims that they are not alone. And overall, I think this generation has rightfully given survivors the platform to not only courageously tell their stories but speak out against sexual assault.

Therefore, I appreciate the lengths which the #MeToo movement has taken these past few years to bring these issues into the light of the public eye, and I hope by doing this, it will inspire a new generation of empathy and love.

However, in a world full of #MeToo, there are some double standards. In a world full of "locker room talk," there remain various doubts about #MeToo's consistency as a movement. For example, #MeToo aims to support survivors of sexual offenses while revealing the power dynamic which allowed for the aggression of the male perpetrators.

This power dynamic allowed Hollywood stars such as Bill Cosby, Matt Lauer, Bill O'Reilly, Harvey Weinstein, and more to continue their sexual crimes against women whose allegations were powerless against these men of such prestige. And while these celebrities ought to be publically condemned for their horrific offenses, #MeToo struggles to remain consistent when other celebrities are unfairly or barely condemned for their offenses.

For example, some supporters of #MeToo fail to recognize the magnitude of Bill Clinton's sexual misconduct towards women.

While most newspapers quickly resort to the Monica Lewinsky scandal, a consensual affair which spoke volumes about President Clinton's moral stature rather than questions his abusive nature towards women. However, what about the countless women who have accused President Clinton of sexual misconduct? Why do their testimonies fail to make headlines or news articles in this generation of #MeToo? Why do thousands of Americans continue to patronize Bill Clinton despite these various allegations? What makes him different from a Weinstein or Lauer?

Is Bill another puzzle piece to the larger problem, is he not another symbol for patriarchal power in the political atmosphere of our generation?

Why does Aziz Ansari, a Hollywood actor condemned by #MeToo for a lack of communication on a first date, get ostracized from society when Bill Clinton, a man with a multitude of sexual allegations behind him, a man who perjured himself in front of the American people, a man who desecrated the Oval Office, his marriage, and the life of an equally responsible, young White House intern, gets to walk away like a free man?

Why does #MeToo exist in a society which acclaims "Fifty Shades of Grey" as our decade's most heart-throbbing romance? How does #MeToo progress within a society that regards Chris Brown as one of the most talented and wealthy hip-hop artists of our time? How does #MeToo justly decide which perpetrators are to remain in our society? Until #MeToo can find an adequate answer to these concerns, I am afraid that a movement as necessary as this cannot be fully endorsed.

Maybe #MeToo will serve a greater purpose in a society that demands complete respect for women--when our Presidents will not engage in childish banter designated for a locker room, and when our most wealthy political family units will not contain sexual offenders with no moral compass, when entertainment industries will condemn movies, music, and art that promotes abusive relationships, when the reputations of celebrities are not heartlessly destroyed by a misinterpretation of a first encounter. Then, and only then, can #MeToo successfully present its message, condemning all acts of sexual assault no matter the status of the perpetrator.

Cover Image Credit: Bankrate

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What The American Flag Really Stands For

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Recently, in Valdosta, Georgia on the campus of Valdosta State University there has been protest over the American flag. Eric Sheppard, which is known as a terrorist or activist for the Black Panther party, has especially been in the news for this. Eric Sheppard who proudly stepped all over an Ameri...

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Prop 227 (CA 1998) and Prop 203 (AZ 2000)  ban other language usage of students and teachers in school

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re-authorization of NCLB eliminates bilingual education

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increase of immigration creates a "close the borders" mentality

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push for English only passed on school level