I might use the idea in my first post here in part of my “defense”. I might also bring up the fact that because you are 16, you are able to get a job, and pay taxes. You are participating to some degree in the adult world now, and so you are “old enough” to comprehend and make decisions for yourself.
Whether any of us would decide not to stand for the pledge or not is irrelevant. You decided that this action was not the correct one for you, and you have the right to choose. There are actually 3 sides to this political statement. “Standing”, “not standing”, and “nuetral”. From your statements you’re usually “nuetral”, but choose to express this by not standing. As you said, due to the political climate, it’s become a little more than that, and you have the right to express those feelings too.
This isn’t a past time, during which you had to “swear allegience” to the monarch, or face dire consequences.
The fact that this incident happened disturbs me greatly.
I applaud you. Your actions may help other students in the future from having to go through this.
Research as much as you can and come well armed. And keep your cool. Just because they are being disrespectful doesn’t mean you have to lower yourself to their level. You will lose all credibility if you do.
One of my teachers requested last year that we stand for the pledge. We didn’t have to place our hand over our hearts, we didn’t have to say it, we just had to stand to show respect for others’ beliefs. I think that that was pretty fair.
I am a retired English teacher and I can tell you that this teacher is way out of line! You handled it beautifully and with much more wisdom and insight than the teacher. (I wish that I had had your depth at your age.)
If you think that it is worth pursuing, consider talking with the ACLU. For starters, this teacher was pushing his own political agenda on you. That is a big no-no.
Even logically, this clown is wrong. If you “don’t know anything,” then why should you be making a pledge of your political allegiance?
Obvious, you do know plenty and your reasoning and actions are well thought out.
If the administrators in your school don’t back you, then go to the next level – Superintendent of Secondary Schools or some such. But decide what you want out of this. An apology? (It wouldn’t be sincere.) How about a reprimand placed in his file – conduct unbecoming a professional? He did that in more ways than one. Keep in mind that one thing the principals hate most is negative publicity for their schools.
Just as an aside, although I can’t imagine what a Socialist ticket would involve in high school, not everyone outgrows a respect for the principles of Socialism.
But you’re only sixteen, how could you possibly have an opinion? According to the way that teenagers are treated, I thought they were all some kind of troublesome non-sentient beings.
Hang in there, Ninjachick. I am a teacher in the public schools, and I wish some of my students were as articulate of their positions as you are. Fight the Good Fight til the end. You are not alone.
I second the suggestion to bring this to the attention of the local chapter of the ACLU. This is right down their alley.
Main Entry: ri·dic·u·lous
Pronunciation: r&-'di-ky&-l&s
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin ridiculosus (from ridiculum jest, from neuter of ridiculus) or ridiculus, literally, laughable, from ridEre to laugh
Date: 1550
: arousing or deserving ridicule : ABSURD, PREPOSTEROUS
synonym see LAUGHABLE
Ah, but this is the very most important of all political statements.
Congratulations, by the way. I’m as far as you can possibly get from being a socialist, but nonetheless I think now, as I did when I was a child, that the pledge is worthless idiocy. Once I thought about it, i never stood for it, and the first thing I noticed is that it’s far, far simpler, and more efficient, to just remain sitting than it is to rant and rave about the people who remain sitting. Consequently, I only ever had two teachers even bring it up, and one of those was a sub who was not later seen at my high school.
Just remember that you have the advantage of inertia on your side (it’s easier to not do something than to try to force someone to do what they don’t want to do). If Flag Boy gets upset by that, at least you cost him a few calories.
I would think all you need to do is pull the relevant Supreme Court decision, show it to them, be respectful, and, if all else fails, threaten to sue. Chances are good the lower courts will not try and rule against the Supreme Court.
I agree with others here: you handled it very well. Don’t let them back you down. You’re right in the thick of one of the most important aspects of our society. One of the greatest things our country has is the First Amendment. Hold 'em to it.
Are the other people actively looking for anyone who might be sitting? I’d think being respectful is either saying the thing or being silent. Sitting/standing … as long as you’re not passing notes or loudly chewing gum or talking on a cell phone (i.e. being quiet), I personally don’t see the difference.
Ought to be mighty interesting when I start teaching. I still dunno what I’m gonna do myself.
Actually, a lot of people don’t bother at the ballpark. Hats stay on, beer lines keep moving, people keep talking and walking around. Kind of refreshing, I think.
Hey, why don’t some of you legal types supply here with the ammo needed? Maybe even a letter that she can show?
Good on ya, btw. I wish I could say I had a similar experience, but the only time I got busted at a school rally was for chanting “Drink, drive, kill!” with the sophmore class when we were asked for a grade chant. Yes, it was stoopid, yes, I regret it. No, I don’t even think it was funny at the time.
