Should it be required for students to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance? If students want to stand, then they are welcome to, but it shouldn’t be a requirement, as some people aren’t able or justifiably willing to do so. Many students agree that it shouldn’t be required.
Some Wake County schools have an exchange program, meaning not all students who attend FVHS are American citizens. They may be exchange students or here on visa, and they may not feel compelled to stand for the pledge.
Other students are not able to stand due to health reasons. There are also students that do not agree with the current state of our country’s government.
“We shouldn’t be forced to stand for anything, and the pledge means different things to different people,” said junior Gavin Mondragon.
In North Carolina, students can opt out of the pledge, but this has not stopped some teachers from requiring students to stand. In the past, I have had adults tell me I had to stand and got upset when I wouldn’t do so.
“My seventh grade social studies teacher claimed it was illegal not to stand for the pledge,” said junior Hadrian Helbick when asked if he had ever been forced to stand.
Some students also can’t stand for long periods of time, and even though the pledge only takes about a minute, sometimes that is too long, especially depending on their pain tolerance and levels that day.
“I think some students may find it difficult to stand not only for their personal opinions but also due to injuries and disabilities,” said sophomore Melissa Hubbert.
Some students have chronic pain or illness that can make it difficult to stand at times.
“Some people might not be able to physically stand up,” said sophomore Josiah Liles.
If this became a requirement it is likely to cause protests among the students. It would also not be considerate of others’ beliefs, opinions or abilities.
“The reactions would not be good if students were required to stand,” said junior Christopher Catton.
A required pledge would also go against the first amendment.
“Forcing it could be seen as infringement of their free speech if they do not like the way the government is being run currently,” said sophomore Amber Stroup.
Students feel their rights could be at stake of being infringed upon especially with our government violating some of our other rights. Some examples being anti-discrimination protections, civil rights, union rights, rights for disabled workers, reproductive rights and voting rights.
“The United States Constitution protects both freedom of speech, expression, and religion in the first amendment. Choosing not to speak the pledge is our right as speech. Choosing not to stand is an expression of a student’s refusal to pledge their allegiance to a government and nation which they disagree with. Finally, the pledge claims that the nation is ‘under God’ which both violates freedom of religion, pushing those who take the pledge to follow the god referenced, that of the Christian faith, and implying a national religion, which is also barred in the First Amendment,” said Helbick.
It is completely up to the individual whether they want to stand or not, but the pledge should not be required. If a person chooses not to stand then they should be able to do that without being questioned.
