🎒 “Don’t tread on me” backpack kid

Happy Sunday! It’s September 3 — people are talking about the Colorado backpack kid controversy, the benefits of art therapy, and more.

As always, we’ve summarized and organized the different shades of perspective, so you can see the big picture quickly.

🎒 In the news: “Don’t tread on me” kid

A Colorado school asked a 7th grader to remove a “Don’t tread on me” flag patch from his backpack. It ignited a debate over freedom of expression.

🎒 Daily Mail: The school asked the kid to remove the patch because of its “origins with slavery”. But after facing backlash, the school reversed its request.

🎒 A video of exchange between the kid's mom and the school administrator went viral. The administrator said the patch was causing a disturbance in class.

🎒 The NY Post says the school is so wrong about the flag. It was created during the Revolutionary War, and it has nothing to do with slavery.

🎒 But the New Yorker says the flag has since been used in a variety of settings, including by anti-government groups that protested during Obama’s tenure as president. So it's not a stretch to call it racially charged.

🎒 Either way, Reason celebrated the kid's victory: Kids don't waive their first amendment rights when they walk into a classroom. Don't tread on kids!

🎨 Cultural trend: Does art therapy work?

Can picking up a paintbrush really make you feel better? Some swear by art therapy, but others say it's too soon to recommend the practice.

🎨 Stylist: Art therapy is exactly what it sounds like — patients use an artistic medium to express their emotions. Everyone can benefit from the practice.

🎨 Breeze also recommends it: Studies show that 8 in 10 college students are stressed out, and creating art can help them feel better. Plus, the act of drawing boosts memory recall — particularly helpful for students.

🎨 A 2022 study published in NCBI showed the effectiveness of art therapy as a treatment for adolescents who struggled with mental health during covid.

🎨 On the other hand, a different study published in NCBI concluded that there wasn't enough data to validate the practice. It noted that previous studies looked at the effect of art therapy with medication, not in isolation.

🎨 Alana the Art Therapist points out a difference between “art as therapy” and “art therapy” — the former is done with a registered art therapist; the latter is not.

Quick hits

⚫ Authorities are investigating a death at Burning Man. The summer festival remains in lockdown due to inclement weather. (CNN)

🏈 Colorado and coach Deion Sanders opened their season with a 45-42 win against #17 TCU. Colorado had been 21-point underdogs. (ESPN)

✈️ Biden visited areas in Florida impacted by Hurricane Idalia. (NBC News)

⛈️ Typhoon Haikui made landfall in Taiwan, injuring 2 people and disrupting power access to tens of thousands of households. (CNN)

That’s it for today. Reply at [email protected] to let me know what you think of our newsletter, or to suggest a topic for next time.

Here at Shades we’re trying something new – quick summaries from different points of view. We think it’s a better way to stay informed and see the big picture. Please reach out if you’re curious to learn more!

- Jeff (co-founder of Shades)