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I Pledge, to this Country

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January 25, 2010 • Nicky Arja, Journalism II  
Filed under Opinion

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America…” These words are recited within classrooms all around America at the beginning of each school day. But, many kids do not stand to respect their country.
The controversy about saying the pledge began with the line in the pledge using the term “God.” The line “One nation under God” was added in 1954 when President Eisenhower signed a bill into a law.
“From this day forward, the millions of our school children will daily proclaim in every city and town, every village and rural schoolhouse, the dedication of our Nation and our people to the Almighty,” Eisenhower said about his addition.
Even if you are from a different religion, saying the Pledge of Allegiance is not too much to ask to salute our country and the troops who are battling for our freedom.
Some would say suggest not saying the line about God; just overlook it but stand and say the rest.
Aubri Wiley, sophomore, believes it is our moral duty to say the pledge. “I think that everybody should participate. And anywhere else in the world they would do it. They have a lot more respect for their country then we do,” she says.
Others, like Abby Dailey, sophomore, believe that being forced to say the pledge is denying them their freedom of speech.
“I have had teachers force me to stand and say the pledge; (in my opinion) it’s not fair,” Dailey says.
Even parents are noticing the increase in level of enforcing the rules toward their children. Tarek Arja is one of those concerned parents.
“That is the problem with America these days. We don’t want to discipline our kids. And it is not just parents. It is teachers and our society not enforcing rules, but it starts in the home,” Arja, 46, says.
Another student, Jillian Arja, a junior at GJHS, had a complete different take on the issue.
“I think that forcing everyone to stand and say the pledge is brainwashing us all,” she says.
Brainwashing or not, if a student wishes to be a true American citizen, they will stand and respect their country. It is what is morally right.

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Comments

3 Responses to “I Pledge, to this Country”

  1. Eragon2262 on January 26th, 2010 2:43 PM

    I believe that the pledge should be recited if you live in this country, regardless of your ethnicitly.

    [Reply]

  2. Stuaaart. on January 30th, 2010 5:56 PM

    I think we shouldn’t have to stand for the pledge, because not everyone at GJHS believes in a God, like myself, and other’s don’t want to stand for a country which they don’t want want to be in. We should only have to stand if we feel it’s necessary. Not everyone thinks the same about America, much less anything.

    [Reply]

  3. dawn on February 10th, 2010 2:26 PM

    I think that even if you don’t want to say The Pledge of Aleigence, you don’t believe in God or don’t want to live in our country you should still have respect enough to stand up for 15 seconds, put your right hand over your heart and be glad you live in a country that gives you freedom of anyhting.

    The Pledge is sacrid, just like the National Anthem.

    [Reply]

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