KenZee Powell Mr. Whitworth English 12-B 19 May 2017 Taking a Stand Introduction “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all” (“Pledge”). American students should identify this as the Pledge of Allegiance. In fact, one might explain that at the beginning of every school morning they recite the pledge. Students are not required to say the pledge, but are given the opportunity to do so.
The every day recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in government funded school classrooms has been mandated by numerous state legislatures, resulting in much controversy. A minority of individuals–growing larger through the years–are refusing to stand and pledge their allegiance to the flag. What are the reasons for the issue of a lack of patriotism? Could it be disrespect, mistrust or religion? The show of patriotism is an important part of American culture.
Patriotism shows that the individual is continually practicing their right to stand and show loyalty to the United States of America. Students and teachers should not only be required to respectfully stand and recite the pledge, but also have a curriculum to learn the importance of it as well. In order for the pledge to be fully supported, it needs to have an educational value to help students learn and know what they are standing for. Students should have the opportunity to learn the full intended meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Although students are not required to say the Pledge of Allegiance, public schools should require a curriculum to help students have a reason to take a stand, because as future leaders, students would build unity and respect toward the United States. Policy History and Background The Pledge of Allegiance has been a dubious issue since 1877 when the pledge was written by George Balch. It was composed in a patriotic manner to help students and other United States natives venture to be devoted Americans. Francis Bellamy later instructed the Pledge regarding the idea of Allegiance in 1892.
He pended the pledge as a part of a nationally-devoted school program. In 1892 the school routine changed the way public schools would start their day forever. Smithsonian Magazine explains the history of pledge in public schools when it published the following: “On the morning of October 21, 1892, children at schools across the country rose to their feet, faced a newly installed American flag and, for the first time, recited 23 words written by a man that few people today can name. (Crawford). The Pledge of Allegiance was not recited the way it is recited today.
At one point the pledge stated,”I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the Republic for which it stands — one nation indivisible — with liberty and justice for all” (“Crawford”). His arrangement was to give students in the country the chance to refer to as one, in unity. This new promise to both the American Flag and our nation. On April 22, 1898, the main law is set up. The law expresses that students attending public schools are required to take part in the Pledge of Allegiance. Forty two years later, on June 3, 1940, Supreme Court decided that students can be removed for declining to restate the pledge.
Three years afterwards, it is presently not a requirement. There are many religions who believe that children should not worship anything but the divine, or even nothing at all. Thus being a reason why the do not participate in this opportunity. Many children were being punished for their actions. “Children of this faith have been expelled from school and are threatened with exclusion for no other cause” (“Supreme”). This decision was known as the West Virginia State Board of Education vs. Barnette. In 1953, under God is put into the vow to attempt to move away from the “bad guys”.
This was because socialist were believed to be heathen individuals. In 1954, President Eisenhower signs the law to add under God to the pledge. As he believed himself, Eisenhower said, “In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America’s heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country’s most powerful resource in peace and war” (“Streufert”). The Pledge of Allegiance was not a way to force others into Christian beliefs. It was there to lean away from an unwanted group of people.
Therefore, reviving the patriotism and the brave obligation of the Civil War was an approach to be without set from the socialist. Throughout the years the pledge is challenged in court settings. Every past endeavor has failed. Current Situation Because the pledge is not required, many government-funded schools skip the recitation of the pledge. Everyday fifty percent of public school students ages thirteen to seventeen, recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Twenty-three percent never say it, nine percent say it weekly and eighteen percent rarely say it. (See fig. 1). It is not a requirement to participate in the pledge.
The are a few school districts who have to stop the practice. In fact, every year a public school stumbles into an agreement to stop the practice. Graphic Support Fig. 1. “Do Teens Feel Pressured to Recite Pledge? ” Gallup. com. N. p. , 05 Oct. 2004. Differing Viewpoints and Refutation The people of the minority who believe that the pledge is a discouragement towards future leaders are feeling oppressed and belittled by the showing of patriotism. A few religions have placed forth a set of standards that prohibit the reciting or performance of patriotism.
Many people do not have a just eason to refuse to stand and pledge, except for the mere fact that they do not fully believe in every part stated throughout the pledge. The people refusing American culture are taking their stance, by not standing to pledge and show their patriotism. These individuals feel as though they are being indoctrinated by being forced to stand and pledge to the flag. American students need to look at it as a whole. American citizens need to stop focusing the parts that have become a controversy to their belief and begin focusing on the parts of the pledge that are in compliance with their beliefs and ideas.
It is also believed that the Pledge of Allegiance is violating the First Amendment, freedom of religion. According to James Madison, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion… ” (Henry). Students should have the right to pledge to our country without at the same time making a religious statement. Like James Madison said, “Religion and government will both exist in greater purity, the less they are mixed together… “(Straub). Religion and the government should be but is not in separation. State and church separation is a way our nation protects religion from being in schools.
Policy Recommendation The pledge of allegiance needs to be recited in public schools because it can help future leaders gain more respect towards our country and the men and women that fought, and are fighting, for our country. As Sue Kelly says, “The sacrifices made by the veterans and their willingness to fight in defense of our nation merit our deep respect… ” (Kelly). America’s freedom isn’t free. We have many soldiers who fought and are fighting including students family members. Not only does it gain respect for our veterans, it also gains a student’s respect towards our founding fathers.
They committed their lives to make our nation a better place and they fought for the rights of the people. Therefore, the founding fathers should be valued for their dedication to our country and deserve some respect in today’s society. Students should stand for those who stood for us and our freedoms. Veterans all over the United States have fought and are currently fighting for our right to stand, pledge and speak freely. Veterans have permanent losses, whether it be a limb, their sanity, loved ones and even their most trusted friends have been taken while in battle.
They placed their lives on the line of death and danger, for this nation’s freedom. Yet still, when asked many would do it all over again, for the people of the United States of America. As those citizens of this country have fought for the right to stand (often taken for granted) a sense of respect needs to be shown. By refusing to stand and pledge, the citizen has dishonored and has shown a great disrespect to those who have fallen for their rights–even to their progeny watching as many refuse to stand–that have more recently become a common courtesy.
The right to stand has never and should never just be a common courtesy’. The Pledge of Allegiance should not only be recited in public schools also give students the opportunity to learn the importance of it. The pledge ought to be discussed in government funded schools, as well as have a Curriculum to take in the significance of it. The policy is to turn the pledge from a “morning routine” into a meaningful and fully understood promise. The Pledge of Allegiance should dissect its full meaning. The end goal is for students to stand up for the right reasons.
The student should see that the pledge is not just a routine, but a promise made to our country, and the people risking their lives for it. Students will not be required to recite the pledge, but will still stand and respect others who take the opportunity to do so. With full meaning, students will be able to appreciate the freedom that we have to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Conclusion In spite of the fact that students are not required to state the Pledge of Allegiance, government-funded schools should be required to have an educational module to help students gain the full purposeful significance of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Each pass attempts were unsuccessful to try to completely take the pledge out of schools. The vow should be talked about in government subsidized schools, and in addition, have a Curriculum to take in the essentials of it. The arrangement is to turn the pledge from a routine into an important and completely comprehended significance. The Pledge of Allegiance should be honored in its importance completely. It was not a way to force others into Christian beliefs. It was there to lean away from an unwanted group of people. To have an ultimate objective to defend it for the right reasons.
Students need to see this vow to our flag and country is not only a morning schedule, but rather a guarantee made to our nation, and the general population taking a chance with their lives for it. Understudies won’t be required to recite the pledge, yet will stand and respect other people who the accept open door to do as such. Some students will take the opportunity to say and learn about the Pledge of Allegiance, others will not. It is your choice, your freedom. So what if they do not take and learn from this opportunity? Will they be a successful future leader?
