Regarding “USA theme at Mars game sparks discord” (Sept. 18, Page 1). This was one of the most ridiculous articles that I have ever read. The last I checked, Mars — specifically Mars High School — is located within the United States of America. So students decided to celebrate the United States of America by dressing in red, white and blue clothing for the game and waving American flags. And the students decided — spontaneously I am guessing — to chant, “USA, USA!” And this is somehow construed to be racist because Mars is playing Penn Hills on this particular evening? Even if there were Trump signs on display, Heaven forbid, the last time I checked, he is the President of the United States.

There is this little thing called the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech, that is found in this little document known as the United States Constitution. Perhaps you’ve heard of it?

Who cares if some students had signs depicting the Penn Hills quarterback and chanted, “overrated?” This is typically the sort of thing that fans of one team will do to rattle the opposing team. Much worse goes on at Steelers games and no one seems too concerned about that.

The fact that some saw this whole event as racist causes me to question what is in their hearts. They are seeing racism where none exists and none was intended. Is this due to their own issues with their own guilt over who knows what? It would seem to me that some need to get a grip on reality. I applaud the Mars School District and students for showing American pride and patriotism. I also applaud Nancy Hines, Penn Hills superintendent, for her comment that she wished that the Penn Hills Schools had known that this display of patriotism was to take place so that they, too, could have participated.

Are we truly at the point where an overt display of patriotism is now perceived as racist? That’s an extremely sad commentary.