From NWA News:
Now, it's too bad he got snippy with the teacher, but the sub did keep pushing and pushing, so I'd overlook that. It's refreshing to see a 10 year old who can take a principled stance and hold to it, even tho there will undoubtedly be lots of opposition to his stance. That takes courage and I have to say I admire the kids moxie.
Those opposed to his stance will no doubt pull out the nationalistic canard of him being "unpatriotic", despite the origins and intent of the pledge.
Principles are a tough thing to hold to in the face of opposition, this kids got a tough road to walk.
From CLS
"When I heard from the principal, I was not happy," said Jay Phillips.
Jay and Laura Phillips were shocked to hear their 10-year-old talked back to a teacher at West Fork Middle school Thursday - but were less surprised when they found out why.
"Don't push him - four days of hassle, hassle, hassle and raise your voice," said Laura Phillips. "He's going to lose his temper."
Their son told them last weekend he had decided to no longer stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance at school because he didn't believe there is liberty and justice for all, especially when it comes to gay rights.
"To say them (words) and not mean them would be a lie," Jay said.
This week their son says a substitute teacher prodded him every day to stand up and say the pledge after he had refused. He then says he got angry, and talked back. The Phillips said that they reprimanded him for that, but they don't want him to be pushed to do something he doesn't feel comfortable doing.
"We would like to have the school make sure the teachers know the kids do have the right to sit down and make their own choices, even if he is only 10 and in 5th grade," Laura said.
She chooses not to say the Pledge of Allegiance, but Jay does. They said that they respect each other's choices - and their son's - and they don't see it as an insult to the country.
"He is not anti-American," Laura said. "He is very proud to live here, but he knows even at 10 he can make changes."
The West Fork School District responded by saying that they don't require students to say the pledge.
Now, it's too bad he got snippy with the teacher, but the sub did keep pushing and pushing, so I'd overlook that. It's refreshing to see a 10 year old who can take a principled stance and hold to it, even tho there will undoubtedly be lots of opposition to his stance. That takes courage and I have to say I admire the kids moxie.
Those opposed to his stance will no doubt pull out the nationalistic canard of him being "unpatriotic", despite the origins and intent of the pledge.
Principles are a tough thing to hold to in the face of opposition, this kids got a tough road to walk.
From CLS
The pledge itself is a rather interesting thing if you know its history. Consider how elected officials are supposed to pledge allegiance to the constitution, not to the flag and the government, as the Pleadge requires. Two cousins, Francis Bellamy and Edward Bellamy, along with a friend, Daniel Ford were advocates of a socialist state as envisioned by Edward in his book Looking Backward. They felt that the American school system should be like the Prussian system and wanted to use it to teach loyalty to the state. In particular they meant it as a way of making people loyal to the federal government.
Edward Bellamy lamented the Constitution of the US because it limited government functions. He admired the British system where the Constitution did was a plethora of legislaiton and traditions not a written document with enumerated powers. Bellamy wrote: "England's Constitution readily admits of constant though gradual modification. Our American Constitution does not readily admit of such change. England can thus move into Socialism almost imperceptibly. Our Constitution being largely individualistic must be changed to admit of Socialism, and each change necessitates a political crisis." Bellamy hoped that his Pledge would push the public more in favor of a centralized state. This is why it amuses me to watch the Right constantly defending the Pledge while the Left seems to hate it. Funny that.