Reciting the Pledge and 1st Amendment Rights

[xx32racer32xx]

My art teacher sent me to the office today for not standing and reciting the pledge and told me that I wasnt a patriot because I refuse to conform to the facist idea that everybody should stand at attention look at the flag and say the words because that in itself completely goes against what being an american is all about, not for religious reasons (even though I am atheist, I do not mind saying "under god" because in essence religion is a great way to get people to do the right thing) but for the reason that I should protect the right of all students to say or not say the pledge. What options do I have to protect my rights without taking the school and my teacher to court?

I also was told by my spanish teacher that heard of what happened that she was mad at me because she had a relative die in the war in Iraq and that I should recite it for respect for the people in the war. This has absolutely nothing to do with respect for our soldiers, I want my rights. She can say it all she wants but I should not be forced to do so. Is there a good way to convince these authoritative dictators that their belief isn't everybody elses?

Third, I feel that I should recite the pledge for my country, I just feel wronged to be told that I have to be patriotic, its just not right to tell someone your gonna do this and your gonna like it or your going to be punished.

 

[Just Blue]

What state are you in?

 

[xx32racer32xx]

Texas (sorry I read the notice to include state name, but got lost in my story and forgot to add it in). Also my parents dont seem to side with me on this issue, they say "well you should just do what they say, they know whats best"

 

[xx32racer32xx]

Also, I was told by school administration that even if I didn't want to say it, i still had to stand at attention, but as far as im concerned (and im sure he thinks exactly the same) if im standing at attention then im agreeing with whats being said even if its not coming out of my mouth it makes no difference.

 

[Mister Darcy]

Did you have a legal question?

 

[stealth2]

Grow up, kid. We all have to do stuff we may not want to. That's known as life.

 

[Litigation!]

My response:

Have you ever seen the movie, "Easy Rider"?

IAAL

 

[notsmartmark]

xx32racer32xx

Can I be forced to say the Pledge of Allegiance?
No. Some people don't want to say the Pledge on religious grounds, because they disagree with the words in some way or as a silent protest against our government's foreign or domestic policies. You have the right to sit or stand silently during the Pledge if you choose.

I pulled this off of the web. There is a lot of information on the web. Please do some research, "students' rights Pledge of Allegiance"

I thought you could be asked to stand siliently, but some sites describe it differently. You cannot create a disturbance, nor can a teacher claim you are creating a disturbance by their behavior.

 

[mspanzertanker]

You stated that you feel you should recite the pledge for your country, so what is the problem? If you are just at the age to find a reason to fight, find a good reason to fight there are plenty out there. Don't argue this just because you feel like you are being forced to do it when you already stated that you feel you should do it.

 

[xx32racer32xx]

I clearly stated my reason to fight was to protect my own, and others 1st amendment rights from this very cause. I will not say the pledge untill I am given the oportunity to not say it. I would hope that you can see that your constitutional rights are more valuable than forced nationalism.

 

[mspanzertanker]

I understand not wanting to do something because you are forced to do it. I am merely stating that if you have that much passion put it to work somewhere where you can effect a change. If you believe in the pledge, say it and find another outlet for your passion.

 

[dallas702]

You're not protecting anyone's rights by being a jerk. You're not protecting anyone's rights by being disrespectful. And, you're certainly not protecting anyone's rights by saying that standing and reciting the Pledge is "fascist".

But, no...you do not have to recite the Pledge. Yes, you should stand and show respect for those who have given and died for you to be able to be a jerk. You can get yourself a lawyer and fight it all you want. In the end you'll be able to sit on your ass and feel like you've accomplished something, when all you've done is alienate yourself from your classmates.

You're too young and green to understand the first thing about "constitutional rights". After you've grown up and sacrificed at least something for those rights maybe you can get some respect for making a stand for something more important than wanting to sit on your butt in a classroom. As of now you're just a hothead who wants attention. Try a year or two in Mexico or Saudi Arabia.

 

[Ohiogal]

Whoa! Okay you guys are berating this kid because he doens't want to say the pledge for whatever reason. The thing is, legally he DOES NOT have to say the pledge nor stand to salute it. The courts have been very clear on this. VERY CLEAR! The school cannot harangue him or harass him. Nor can individual teachers. He DOES need to be respectful of others around him who are saying it. But a public school cannot do anything to him for not saying it or standing to salute.

 

[HomeGuru]

Whoa! Okay you guys are berating this kid because he doens't want to say the pledge for whatever reason. The thing is, legally he DOES NOT have to say the pledge nor stand to salute it. The courts have been very clear on this. VERY CLEAR! The school cannot harangue him or harass him. Nor can individual teachers. He DOES need to be respectful of others around him who are saying it. But a public school cannot do anything to him for not saying it or standing to salute.

**A: but we all know that this kid is one of those kids. There is more to this story. The kid is just using the pledge as an excuse.

 

[badapple40]

I'd reference my reply to this post:

https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?t=308338