A small Virginia High School in Halifax County swapped their planned ‘’Merica Day’ for ‘Wacky and Tacky Day’ during this year’s Spirit Week after some students vowed to protest the day by wearing all black to school.
Student Council members at Halifax County High School had originally planned the day as part of the school’s Spirit Week, which encourages students to dress up according to different themes each day as a sign of school pride and unity. Just as it sounds, ‘‘Murica Day’ called for students to wear red, white and blue or whatever patriotic gear they wanted in observance of their country. Dressing up for the occasion was completely voluntary.
School officials nixed that plan, however, changing the day’s theme to ‘Wacky and Tacky Day’ after some students complained about being asked to show American pride – which they apparently don’t have. Dissenters had vowed to wear all black to school in protest.
Principal Michael Lewis said the school changed the event to avoid a “controversy” and to assuage concerns over students “safety.”
“There was information out there on social media that having Merica Day was going to cause a controversy today, and as principal, it is my job to ensure the safety of all students and to provide a quality education. Had the day been left in place, I feel the safety and education of our students could have been jeopardized,” Lewis said Monday, according to the Gazette-Virginian. “There was enough negative attention surrounding the day that led me to make the decision.”
Some students unhappy with the school’s decision decided to dress up in pro-America clothing, anyway. One kid painted a giant American flag on his truck, just for good measure.
“When I think about America, I think about people fighting for our country. Every country has controversy, but I don’t think we should give in to it changing Spirit Week Day to Wacky Tacky Day,” one young lady told the Gazette-Virginian.