Children have the option on whether or not they stand for the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of every school day. And there’s plenty of reasons why a student wouldn’t stand – because of religious reasons, personal reasons, and to stand against social injustices. No matter their reason, it isn’t up to a teacher to question it. Unfortunately, a California teacher thinks that students aren’t standing simply because they’re lazy.
Julie (@raeleejanemichael), a mom and teacher, said that students aren’t standing for the pledge of allegiance anymore. She says she “respects” the valid reasons why students choose not to stand for the flag, though she doesn’t list these reasons. She goes on to say, “But when 28 of my sophomore students stay seated, it’s not that. It’s pure laziness.” She claims that these students, who are in their teens, don’t know why they’re “not standing.” Something tells me she’s a bit off on this assessment.
Julie states, “It isn’t about the flag; it’s a symptom of what’s happening to our society. I wish I could demand respect, demand they stand, but I can’t.” And it’s a good thing she can’t. It’s their right and one we’ve had for a very long time in this country. In 1943, in fact, Supreme Court passed legislation stating that students in public school settings legally don’t have to stand for the flag. Why? It violates their First Amendment rights. And why a teacher would want to violate First Amendment rights is beyond me. It certainly shouldn’t sit well with anyone.
Julie asks teachers and parents on her TikTok, “How do we rebuild this basic civic duty when we’re powerless to demand it?” One commenter chimed in with their answer, and it’s a solid one: “Maybe if we build a nation they can be proud of, they will start doing the pledge. What is happening nowadays is embarrassing us on the world stage.” Students are informed and they know what’s happening. With the current political landscape, it’s no surprise that they refuse to take a stand. Another teacher chimed in with, “Girl I’m a teacher and I don’t stand for the pledge of allegiance.” It is your constitutional right and no teacher can take that from you.
