An 18-year-old walked out of his San Antonio high school yesterday because of a dispute over his t-shirt.
His self-created shirt said, “Confederate Born, Confederate Bred.” A teacher at MacArthur High School in San Antonio thought the shirt was controversial, so before he could pass first period, he was sent to the principal’s office.
Mason Deering said, “I created the shirt because I’m proud of my heritage, I’m proud to be from the South,” Mason Deering told KENS-TV.
The North East Independent School District policy states anything distracting or disruptive to learning is prohibited at the principal’s discretion.
“It’s not up to us to decide what’s wrong with the shirt, per se, we just know from past experience that this is the type of shirt, the slogan that was on it, that can certainly cause controversy,” NEISD spokeswoman, Aubrey Chancellor told KENS-TV.
While waiting for the principal, the assistant principle asked Mason to change his shirt.
Mason claims the assistant principal told him the shirt was racist.
He refused to change and left the school.
“He chose to leave, which I think was the right decision because he wasn’t doing anything wrong,” said Robert Deering, who stands by his son, and says neither the shirt nor his son is racist.
The principal never met with mason but told district administrators he wouldn’t have made Mason change his shirt and that he can wear the shirt in the future as long as it’s not a distraction.
When asked if he’s planning on wearing the shirt again Mason responded by saying, “I’m going to wear it on Monday.”
