Are you required to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance?
Can a student, more specifically, a sixth-grader, be arrested for refusing to recite the Pledge of Allegiance? Apparently so.
A sixth-grader at Lawton Chiles Middle Academy in Lakeland Fla., is facing misdemeanor charges after refusing to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, telling substitute teacher Ana Alvarez he believes the American flag and national anthem is so-called "racist" against black people. Officials later reported that the confrontation between the Florida student and Alvarez escalated into what was described as "disruptive behavior."
This poses the question: can a teacher legally require a student to salute the flag or recite the pledge?
In actuality, the Supreme Court ruled in 1943 in West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette that schools cannot require students to participate in the aforementioned activities because it violates an individual's First Amendment rights. Despite having free will to do anything, or say pretty much say anything we please, I personally believe individuals should respect the American flag because of how hard our Founding Fathers fought to establish the freedoms and liberties we benefit from. How is the American flag racist to black people, or any person of color? How is the national anthem racist?
Well, it isn't. But perhaps, that's just my two cents on it.
Aside from my personal opinion, I disagree with Alvarez's de allowing the exchange between them to escalate into unnecessary and aggressive behavior. According to a written statement from Alvarez, she asked the student that if living in the United States is "so bad," why not go another place to live? Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy political discussions with people who may or may not contend with what I am saying; however, Alvarez's comment seems a little unnecessary, especially since he's only in sixth-grade.
However, the Lakeland police said the student was not arrested for refusing to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. As the police said, "This arrest was based on the student's choice to disrupt the classroom, make threats and resisting the officer's efforts to leave the classroom." The controversy surrounding this contentious exchange, sparked the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida to issue a rebuke in the wake of the event. On Twitter, the group said, "This is a prime example of the over-policing of Black students in school."
The fact of the matter is that as individuals, it is inevitable that we will have contradictory opinions that don't align with the beliefs of others, which is why we as Americans, we should be thankful for the freedoms and liberties we have. Our government cannot impede our right to express ourselves freely; however, just because we say or do something, doesn't mean there aren't consequences.
While Alvarez was wrong in allowing the exchange to escalate into a hostile situation, the student was wrong by creating a disturbance and not complying with the officer's commands. Both parties are entitled to their feelings toward the American flag and national anthem, but acting out in a disruptive manner has its own legal consequences. So no, this incident isn't a "race thing" and the American flag doesn't represent or promote racism; people are just quick to make assumptions with little to no evidence.
As for me, I will stand and salute our American flag. I stand for the men and women who fight for our country. I stand for those who put his or her life on the line each and every day. I stand because I am proud of my country.
And as I've said before, and will continue to say: I am proud to be an American.
A sixth-grader at Lawton Chiles Middle Academy in Lakeland Fla., is facing misdemeanor charges after refusing to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, telling substitute teacher Ana Alvarez he believes the American flag and national anthem is so-called "racist" against black people. Officials later reported that the confrontation between the Florida student and Alvarez escalated into what was described as "disruptive behavior."
An 11-year-old student in Florida is facing charges after refusing to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and creating a disturbance in the classroom, police say. Retrieved from USA TODAY.
This poses the question: can a teacher legally require a student to salute the flag or recite the pledge?
In actuality, the Supreme Court ruled in 1943 in West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette that schools cannot require students to participate in the aforementioned activities because it violates an individual's First Amendment rights. Despite having free will to do anything, or say pretty much say anything we please, I personally believe individuals should respect the American flag because of how hard our Founding Fathers fought to establish the freedoms and liberties we benefit from. How is the American flag racist to black people, or any person of color? How is the national anthem racist?
Well, it isn't. But perhaps, that's just my two cents on it.
Aside from my personal opinion, I disagree with Alvarez's de allowing the exchange between them to escalate into unnecessary and aggressive behavior. According to a written statement from Alvarez, she asked the student that if living in the United States is "so bad," why not go another place to live? Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy political discussions with people who may or may not contend with what I am saying; however, Alvarez's comment seems a little unnecessary, especially since he's only in sixth-grade.
However, the Lakeland police said the student was not arrested for refusing to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. As the police said, "This arrest was based on the student's choice to disrupt the classroom, make threats and resisting the officer's efforts to leave the classroom." The controversy surrounding this contentious exchange, sparked the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida to issue a rebuke in the wake of the event. On Twitter, the group said, "This is a prime example of the over-policing of Black students in school."
The fact of the matter is that as individuals, it is inevitable that we will have contradictory opinions that don't align with the beliefs of others, which is why we as Americans, we should be thankful for the freedoms and liberties we have. Our government cannot impede our right to express ourselves freely; however, just because we say or do something, doesn't mean there aren't consequences.
While Alvarez was wrong in allowing the exchange to escalate into a hostile situation, the student was wrong by creating a disturbance and not complying with the officer's commands. Both parties are entitled to their feelings toward the American flag and national anthem, but acting out in a disruptive manner has its own legal consequences. So no, this incident isn't a "race thing" and the American flag doesn't represent or promote racism; people are just quick to make assumptions with little to no evidence.
As for me, I will stand and salute our American flag. I stand for the men and women who fight for our country. I stand for those who put his or her life on the line each and every day. I stand because I am proud of my country.
And as I've said before, and will continue to say: I am proud to be an American.
Comments
Post a Comment