Students Won’t Say Pledge Of Allegiance To U.S. Flag
Posted by: From Arkansas in Are You Kidding Me?, Family stuff on Jan 21 2008
Welcome back!
This is a subject that is particularly close to my heart. As early as in kindergarten, we learned to say the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag. At the time, I had no idea what a pledge was and didn’t know why we had to say it but I said it because I knew that somehow it was important. As I grew older, I did learn about the reason. In Girl Scouts, we earned badges that included studying the flag and the Pledge of Allegiance. It became an honor to me to say those words.
I do realize that today, in these times of change, it might appear that the flag’s colors may have run, that the reason for saying those words might be considered lies. NOT TRUE!!! Our heritage is still there. Our country is STILL the greatest country in the world to live in. The fact that we do not necessarily believe that our government is right on everything does not change that our country is worth it!!!
I love my country. So, it is with an incredibly heavy heart that I heard this morning that my 14 year old niece has friends who stay seated when the Pledge of Allegiance is repeated. Why? Because they do not like the government and it’s actions. As many of you know, if you read my blog with any regularity, I do not agree with all the actions of my government either. Would I stay seated and be silent when the Pledge of Allegiance is spoken to my flag. ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! As stated before, I love my country and my flag.
My sister was so moved by this information that she wrote about it in her blog afte talking with her daughter. I want to share that with you by giving you a link to her blog, Blacksheep Speaks so that you, too, can read what it means to be born in the U.S.A.
Please take the time to read what she wrote. It says what I feel about this issue, about my flag and my country. If you feel that what she wrote has merit then please stumble it, digg it, techorati it and whatever other social bookmark you have. I wouldn’t mind a stumble or other click myself. I believe with all my heart that this needs to be noticed and changed by teaching our children what it TRULY means to live in this country, to say the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag, that we have the right and privilege to do so for it really is a privilege to do so.
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6 Comments
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As a veteran that served in the first Persian Gulf War and as an American that has had relatives serve in every major war this country has ever participated in, I have no problem with kids not wanting to say the pledge of allegiance.
When I was in school, I said it by choice, while other students (notably Jehovah’s Witnesses) did not say the pledge of allegiance.
I believe that everyone should CHOOSE to serve their country. I see no reason to force or compel people to do so that do not have the inclination. I do not agree with their choice, but I do respect it.
That choice goes double for anyone that wants to freely express their disagreement with the government. We do not have to agree with everything our government chooses to do. The fact that we are a functional democracy is what makes us great. Setting up a fascist society that forces people to go along with government decrees would make us little better than the Soviet Union in the fifties.
More power to the children that have the courage to stand up for what they believe in. They will likely make great soldiers some day when we are in the trenches fighting against the Chinese outnumber 6 to 1. We’re going to need men and women with backbone then.
I agree that the child has a choice. I guess my problem is in the fact that if they do not have the information concerning their country and the flag itself, how can they make a choice like that with intelligence?? Our school system does not make it mandatory for them to do this. That’s good. I agree. But I think that they should at least know why it’s a good thing to do.
If you read my sister’s reason for feeling this way, as do I, then it makes a difference if you are not saying it because of the government or the flag and our country. They are separate. That distinction must be made.
And by the way, I also agree that we are going to need people with backbone when we are up against possibly the Chinese. We are definitely outnumbered there.
Thanks for your comment, Brett!
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You are correct to feel sadness over this issue. Fourteen-year-olds don’t have the knowledge to make these kinds of decisions, but usually reflect what their parents believe. That’s fine, except when the parents haven’t taken the time to share the details of why they believe the way they do.
Whether I agree or not, isn’t the issue, but the lack of respect shown previous generations. They are the ones that made it possible for the freedoms to disrespect their acheivements.
I’ve written several articles about people politicizing the U.S. flag, which is above politics, as you stated. The Pledge doesn’t concede approval, instead it shows respect for a legacy left by those before.
Continue the good fight …
Thank you! I believe that we must at least teach our children why the flag is what it is, who died to allow us to agree or disagree. I have family that died for those colors and I do not want them to have died in vain.
Thank you for your comment!