Does anyone else have a problem with the Pledge of Allegiance?
Why do I have to Pledge Allegiance. Doesn't that defeat the purpose of Democracy? Currently, this country embarrasses the hell out of me.
I teach 5th grade. I looped with my class from 4th grade. Last year when the Black Lives Matter movement was in the news more prominently, and the NFL kneeling controversy was big news, a few of my students came to me to have a courageous conversation. They explained that as young, black men, they would like to abstain from reciting the Pledge during daily announcements. Understanding their feelings (and agreeing), and respecting their right to free speech, I said sure, as long as they were respectful, and did nothing else during that time (respecting those choosing to pledge).
Other kids asked why they didn't have to stand, and I allowed the boys to explain. We researched the first amendment and had many discussions. Overtime, many other students decided to sit, expressing that they too felt disenfranchised. Several students are of Mexican heritage, most of the girls, all of my African American boys, and several Caucasian boys all chose to sit the Pledge out. No one says anything. I simply allow it, provided they are respectful of those choosing to recite the Pledge.
Long story short. I was out sick 2 days this week. My substitute complained to the office and I was reprimanded for not forcing my class to stand and say the Pledge. I'm considering calling the ACLU.
If Jehovah's Witnesses can't be forced under the 2nd amendment, why can't the 1st amendment protect everyone else?
Plus, the whole "under god" part bothers me. It violates separation of Church and State. Also, it wasn't part of the Pledge until 1954 when our government thought adding the phrase would differentiate us from communists (who weren't necessarily godless by the way--proof Congress had no logic back then either).
Sigh. Thoughts?
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34 comments (26 - 34)
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.I was raised a Jehovah's Witness myself and now that I'm out I feel personally it's wrong to compel anyone to stand for the pledge or the anthem.
Regardless of the reason...Forced patriotism isn't patriotism..Its facisim plain and simple...
I'm also a vet..Just got out in August and I fully support a person's choice to stand or not to stand and when people say it's insulting to our military..No I feel it's insulting to try and force people to take these steps because you're supposed to have the right to do so because of the military... Also if a person sits or takes a knee or whatever as a form of protest..Well hey that's cool too! It's a peaceful protest and to me that's just awesome!
josh23452
Level 7
Mar 30, 2018
0
I'm a school librarian, and I spend the first 20 minutes of every school day in an elementary classroom for academic intervention (which is really just some worksheets they call "morning work.) This year, I'm in a third grade classroom. I'm in there during the pledge which is lead by some high school students on the morning announcements which are played on the screen.
I stand and say the pledge, but I don't say "under god." Sometimes, I see a kid trying to take a peek at me because I think someone has realized that I don't say it and has spread the word, and they want to check for themselves. So, just to be tricky, I sometimes make a light cough or scratch my nose (obscuring my mouth), or sometimes I mutter "and a guy" or jibberish to disguise the fact that I'm not saying "under god." I hate that I have to do this, but I don't want any hassle or controversy, and I also don't want to go against my own principles.
But beyond just the "under god" part, I DO have a problem with the pledge in general. No kid recites the pledge with reverence and a deep understanding of what he's doing. It's just thing that they have to do. It ends up being meaningless. I love my country, and that love comes from an actual understanding of our history, some of which has been great, and some of which has been awful. A rote recitation of allegiance, to me, actually CHEAPENS that love of country.
I think that what you did with your students did far more to connect them to our country's history and values than any recitation could. Bravo to you.
carlyhorton
Level 7
Mar 30, 2018
0
@TampaHeathen I'm new to teaching, it's my second career. I was actually surprised to learn that it's NY state law! Here's what it says:
It shall be the duty of the commissioner to prepare, for the use of the public schools of the state, a program providing for a salute to the flag and a daily pledge of allegiance to the flag, and instruction in its correct use and display which shall include, as a minimum, specific instruction regarding respect for the flag of the United States of America, its display and use as provided by federal statute and regulation and such other patriotic exercises as may be deemed by him to be expedient, under such regulations and instructions as may best meet the varied requirements of the different grades in such schools. However, such instruction shall include, as a minimum, the provisions of sections one hundred seventy through one hundred seventy-seven of title thirty-six of the United States Code .
@TampaHeathen I'm glad you said that, because that's how I read it too. In my school, they tell us that it is required, but the way I read it, it seems a little vague. I see that it could be interpreted that the opportunity has to be provided, and that kids need to learn about what it is and how to do it. I'm not sure that all classrooms do it, I've only been in a few of them at pledge time. They also follow up the pledge with a school pledge... it talks about being nice and respectful to each other. Doesn't stop kids from being jerks, though.
Just for completeness, here is the original (with some editory comments from Wiki):
It was originally published in The Youth's Companion on September 8, 1892. Bellamy had hoped that the pledge would be used by citizens in any country. In its original form it read: "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
This from:
I have no real issue with this, the original, version.
Gnarloc
Level 7
Mar 30, 2018
0
Take "under God" out and it's still indoctrination.
WileEQuixote
Level 7
Mar 29, 2018
0
I am not against indoctrination as long as it is voluntary indoctrination into something good.
@Reignmond Children below the age of consent cannot be considered voluntary
I believe it should be a choice, and not thrust upon those too young to fully understand what it means to swear fealty for life to something. Just as with religion people should not be indoctrinated in from birth, bit when they are old enough to make that choice
LadyAlyxandrea
Level 8
Mar 29, 2018
0
I do not pledge allegiance to anyone or anything, personally.
Imagine if the Pledge said "One nation under Allah..."
Blaqjaqshellaq
Level 3
Mar 29, 2018
1
I don't recite it. I don't stand for it, or the anthem.
I don't like having my "patriotism" dictated.
Congress added the "under god" part in 1954, to show that we were better than
the "godless communists". They can shove that bs.
I'm godless, and still an American. There isn't anything that anyone can do or say that will
ever change that.
Call the FFRF. They love this stuff!
KKGator
Level 9
Mar 29, 2018
0
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