Video:
cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2009/11/16/am.boy.no.pledge.cnn
Article:
www.arktimes.com...
After asking his parents whether it was against the law not to stand for the pledge, Will decided to do something. On Monday, Oct. 5, when the other
kids in his class stood up to recite the pledge of allegiance, he remained sitting down. The class had a substitute teacher that week, a retired
educator from the district, who knew Will's mother and grandmother. Though the substitute tried to make him stand up, he respectfully refused. He did
it again the next day, and the next day. Each day, the substitute got a little more cross with him. On Thursday, it finally came to a head. The
teacher, Will said, told him that she knew his mother and grandmother, and they would want him to stand and say the pledge.
I am completely moved by this little boy. In the video you can tell that he is a little nervous but his message is QUITE clear. I would love to send
that kid a mail or meet him and just shake his hand and tell him to keep fighting. It does not matter if this boy is right or wrong, HE IS FIGHTING
FOR WHAT HE BELIEVES IN!
When I was in high school and grade school, I can remember the pledge of allegiance was recited every day and everyone stood with their hands over
their hearts. There ACTUALLY were a few kids who remained seated in my high school, and probably some kids today to actually sit down during the
pledge. Surprisingly they did not get any media attention.
To me, there a two problems with the pledge of allegiance. "under God" being the first and "liberty and justice for all".
This nation was founded as a religious tolerant nation, to get away from religious persecution, but is it honestly necessary to put "under God" in
the pledge? I KNOW America was founded by Christians. I KNOW that many if not all of the laws follow the morals of the Bible ( DO NOT steal, kill,
ETC ETC!). But this day and age, there is no religious tolerance ANY MORE. If the average American sees a muslim woman with a burka, they would
probably be disgusted and discriminated. If the average American sees a turban on a man's head, they would be disgusted. In my opinion, today, it
is the opposite... we are oppressing expression of religion and culture today.
Here is a video of such opression of religion. This video almost brought me to tears, I can't even begin to express my emotions. This video has
moved me greatly.
As for the "liberty and justice for all" line, well its pretty self explanatory why anyone could oppose this line. Take it from the little boy why
someone like I can oppose this line. I am not gay. There are other injustices in this country today in this day of age, I can't even give examples
because the examples are everywhere.
Sorry if this is in the wrong section or whatever, just move it if it is.
[edit on 17-11-2009 by fordrew]