In 2021, California teacher Kristin Pitzen was removed from her classroom after encouraging students to pledge allegiance to a progress pride flag, sparking debate over political symbols in schools.
In a now-deleted TikTok video, Pitzen explained she had removed the American flag during the pandemic due to discomfort and offered the pride flag as an alternative. The Newport Mesa Unified School District launched an investigation, emphasizing respect for the national flag. This incident reflects broader cultural tensions in education, with conservative states like Louisiana and Oklahoma pushing to reinforce traditional values through measures like displaying the Ten Commandments and integrating Bible teachings into curricula.
