The following is an e-mail I receive concerning students
required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and my response.
I would welcome other points of view on the subject.


Subject: I was wondering...

I am an Illinois State University senior and I
am writing a paper called "The Pledge of Allegiance
and Schools: Should Everyone Stand Up!" Do you
think that all children should be required to say the
Pledge of Allegiance. Since there is so much diversity in
this country do you believe that it is right to make
children stand up and say the Pledge of Allegiance when
they are from another country? Even if they left their
home country to come here for safety and plan to return?
I would really appreciate your feedback.

Jamie


Dear Jamie
A pledge of allegiance that is not given voluntarily
is meaningless. So I believe that should a pupil strongly
object to the words he should not be forced to recite them.
However the student should stand during the pledge to show
respect. Just as it would be disrespectful to not shake
someone's hand when they offer it in greeting, it would
be disrespectful not to stand during the pledge. You can
disagree with the words and still show respect to those
with whom you disagree.

However, I believe you are approaching this question from
the wrong prospective.

Why would anyone object to pledging their allegiance to
the principles as represented by our flag. Freedom and
the Constitution of the United States of America

All Men Are Created Equal
Freedom of Speech
Liberty and Justice for all

The following are words from the Declaration of Independence

We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men
are created equal; that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among
these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;
that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted
among men, deriving their just powers from the consent
of the governed;

These ideas are universal and should be applied world wide.

The object of schools is to teach and I would try to explain
to the objecting student that their pledge of allegiance is
a pledge for freedom, liberty, and justice. Then they would
be proud to Pledge Their Allegiance to the Flag of The United
States of America.

Even if you are not proud of the current administration of this country.
You can still be proud to recite the pledge of allegiance
because the pledge represents the ideas beholden in the constitution.
The leaders of the country will always change but the fight for
freedom should last forever.

Very Truly Yours
Kevin P. Ryan




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